Pipe Dream
Nintendo Entertainment System · 1990
About this game
Each level of this abstract puzzler challenges the player to set up a network of pipes to allow an unspecified substance known as 'flooz' to flow through as many of those as possible.
The pieces are offered in random order, and there are seven different types - straight lines going horizontally or vertically, corners rotating in each of the four directions, and cross-over pieces which carry the flooz straight across horizontally and vertically.
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Each of these can be entered from either side.
When the flooz hits a gap or a piece that the previous piece can't flow into, the pipe is finished.
Before the flooz starts flowing from its randomly-selected starting position, the player has several seconds to start placing pieces.
They can be put down anywhere.
However, a situation that can often occur is there will be a long and complex piping arrangement set up, yet a gap somewhere remains to be filled.
Players are able to replace a piece with another in the same square (to make it easier to flow the flooz that way), but for a slight scoring penalty.
Bonuses are awarded for looping the flooz through both sides of at least 5 cross-over pieces or passing the flooz through every square on the screen.
Later levels have some squares on the grid blocked off, a few gaps in the side-wall (allowing flooz to thread to the other side of the screen).
After every four levels, there is a bonus game for points, in which the player can only place the pieces in the lowest open space in each column, similarly to the board game of "Connect 4".
About Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System (1983 in Japan, 1985 in the West) revived the North American video game industry after the 1983 crash and established conventions — cartridges, licensing seals, save systems — that shaped the industry for decades. NES collecting is one of the most established retro markets: common titles remain cheap, but a well-known handful of low-print-run games (many from smaller third-party publishers) are among the most expensive video games in existence.
Gamevaro tracks Pipe Dream for Nintendo Entertainment System with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Pipe Dream to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This NES release dates back to 1990.
Price history
Market values by condition
NTSC-U
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €16.19 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €249.03 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €90.99 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-U | €7.87 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.18 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €22.64 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €90.95 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €22.67 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €16.19 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €3.98 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €248.92 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | NTSC-U | €7.87 |
| 2026-06-18 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €245.51 |
| 2026-06-18 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €25.86 |
| 2026-06-18 | Item only | NTSC-U | €7.74 |
| 2026-06-18 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €15.97 |
| 2026-06-18 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €103.50 |
| 2026-06-18 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.31 |
| 2026-06-17 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €25.86 |
| 2026-06-17 | Item only | NTSC-U | €7.74 |
| 2026-06-17 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.31 |
| 2026-06-17 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €245.51 |
| 2026-06-17 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €103.50 |
| 2026-06-17 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €15.97 |
| 2026-06-15 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €246.08 |
| 2026-06-15 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €25.92 |
| 2026-06-15 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €16.00 |
| 2026-06-15 | Item only | NTSC-U | €7.75 |
| 2026-06-15 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €103.74 |
| 2026-06-15 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €4.32 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Pipe Dream has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning enough copies circulate to establish a reliable market price.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Pipe Dream worth?
Pipe Dream for Nintendo Entertainment System is currently worth €14.86 loose, €22.64 complete in box, and €90.99 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Pipe Dream rare?
Pipe Dream has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Pipe Dream?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Pipe Dream, loose is €14.86 and CIB is €22.64 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
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