Companies release game consoles fairly regularly. These days, console releases tend to be a pretty big deal and while limited edition consoles come out from time to time, a lot of modern consoles are pretty easy to get our hands on without having to search too hard or pay too much. But, that's not the case if you're into more retro or obscure video game consoles.

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Nintendo has been in the video game world for a long time. They may not have started by making video game consoles, but it's a company that has become known for its games and consoles over the years. Some of their retro consoles have become popular collector's items, but a lot of them are incredibly rare and hard to find. One of them is so rare they might not even exist.

Updated on June 23, 2022, by Kristy Ambrose: Previously unknown vintage Nintendo consoles are being unearthed, so to speak, as promotional or prototypes from back in the day are being rediscovered. As long as there are still garage sales and basements, there are going to be discoveries at the auctions and estate sales. Aside from the new old stuff, there are modern custom and luxury editions for gamers with money to spend on the finer things, and these consoles are equally rare and expensive but for different reasons.

13 The Nintendo Playstation

The Nintendo Playstation

Officially, it was known as the SNES CD, and folks who know this story understand the true meaning of karma. Nintendo learned the hard way that you don't mess with Sony, but before the relationship between the two companies soured, they constructed a few prototypes of their CD-based console.

The Nintendo Playstation is so rare that only one exists officially. That's only public knowledge because it was big news when Oculus co-founder Palmer Luckey purchased it for over $300,000 at an online auction in 2020.

12 MTV's Limited Edition GameCube Consoles (Priceless)

mtv's nintendo gamecube consoles

The MTV GameCube is a system that saw quite a few limited-edition versions when it was released. Although many people just had the widely released single-color consoles, there were 29 lucky Nintendo fans back in 2003 that received some ultra-rare MTV GameCube consoles. During MTV's Xmas Daily Broadcast in 2003, they gave away one special, limited edition MTV GameCube per day.

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In total, five designs were released as part of this promotion, including one that was created by designer Tom Ford. Unfortunately, putting a price on these consoles is impossible because the 29 lucky winners that got them haven't been eager to put them up on eBay at any point in the past 16 years. It's one of the hardest gaming consoles to find, but this is the rarest GameCube console in existence.

11 Panasonic Q - $700

Nintendo GameCube Panasonic Q Bundle

The Panasonic Q is a special hybrid console-DVD player that was released in Japan in 2001. This console was unique because it brought the DVD capabilities of other consoles to the GameCube, something that many critics of the console pointed out that it was missing.

This super-futuristic console was only released in a single country and was discontinued shortly after its release, meaning that not a lot of people got their hands on them. A used but working Panasonic Q will run a collector for around $700, but a brand new one in its box with a special Game Boy player accessory can go for around $1,800.

10 Game Boy Micro Mother 3 Console - $2,000

Nintendo Game Boy Micro Mother 3 Console

Mother 3 is a game that wasn't released anywhere but in Japan. Despite this, the game has become pretty popular with hardcore Nintendo fans and the main character, Lucas, has still made appearances in other Nintendo games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

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The Game Boy Micro Mother 3 Console is a special edition console that was released in 2006 to celebrate the release of the game. This console is incredibly rare, meaning that a brand new one in the box can cost up to $2,000 or more, while used versions of the console are closer to $800.

9 Nintendo Wii Supreme

rarest-video-game-consoles-nintendo-wii-supreme

If a buyer has to ask about the price, they've got no business looking at this thing in the first place. It's still a fully-functioning Nintendo Wii despite all the shiny bling, and now that this console is a classic it might be worth even more.

Stuart Hughes is an upscale company that produces a variety of luxury items and is currently listing the Nintendo Wii Supreme for £299,995.00, or $367,339.29 US. The console takes six months to make, that is real 22-carat gold and the buttons are actual diamonds, a grand total of 78.

8 Nintendo DS Animal Crossing Wild World - Priceless

Nintendo DS Animal Crossing Wild World Console

Animal Crossing: Wild World was one of the most popular games on the Nintendo DS when it was released. The Animal Crossing franchise has spawned quite a few toys and limited edition consoles over the years, but this one celebrating Wild World on the original Nintendo DS is special.

A few different versions of this console with special art that depicted the different seasons in the game on the front were made. Unlike other special Animal Crossing consoles, this special edition console was only released in Sweden and given away as a contest prize, meaning that it's impossible to put a price on this one-of-a-kind console.

7 Game Boy Advance SP Pokémon Center Charizard - $1,000

Game Boy Advance SP Pokemon Center Charizard Console

Limited edition Nintendo consoles that feature art from the latest Pokémon game have always been popular. These consoles are a ton of fun for video game collectors and Pokémon fans alike to catch and train their favorite creatures on, but they can get incredibly rare and expensive after they've been released. This special edition Game Boy Advance was released at Pokémon centers in Japan to celebrate the release of Pokémon FireRed.

Today, a brand new one can set a serious collector back up to $1,000 while finding the console in rougher shape, out of its original box tends to be cheaper but not by a lot.

6 Pocket Pikachu Color - $70

Pocket Pikachu Color

While the Pocket Pikachu Color isn't technically a console in the way that other consoles on this list are, it's still a rare Nintendo item that a lot of video game collectors have been doing their best to get their hands on. The first iteration of this electronic toy was released back in the late 1990s during the height of the Pokémon craze and was called the Pokémon Pikachu. It's a virtual pet, but instead of playing with it or feeding it like similar toys, owners just had to clip it to their belt and walk around to let the device count their steps.

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A full-color version of the device was released shortly after the original, but it was exclusively released in Japan. Getting one of these new in the packaging will set a serious Pokémon fan back up to $70 for the semi-transparent grey plastic one. An opaque blue version was also released and is a lot rarer, too.

5 Nintendo 64 Watermelon Red - $260

Nintendo 64 Watermelon Red Console

The Nintendo 64 was released in 1996 and was officially discontinued in 2002. For gamers in the mid-to-late 1990s, this console was a must. It came in quite a few different colors and the console has become a massively popular collector's item since then.

Of these colors, the Watermelon Red variation has become one of the rarest N64 consoles and one of the most collectible variations. Getting one will set a collector back around $260, though you may be able to find one for cheaper or find one bundled up with a few of your favorite N64 games.

4 Hyundai Comboy - $999

Nintendo 64 Hyundai Comboy

Nintendo is a company that's popular all over the world. Games and consoles have been released in so many countries and sometimes, the rarest consoles are the ones that were only released in a certain country. The Hyundai Comboy is the name that the Nintendo 64 was given in Korea. It was released there in the 1990s, but not many were sold there and it wasn't marketed very heavily as a Nintendo console because of bad relations between Korea and Japan.

Because of how few consoles were sold in Korea, the Hyundai Comboy has become a sought-after console for the most die-hard Nintendo fans, and it might be the rarest N64 console. If you're lucky enough to find a complete Hyundai Comboy, be ready to pay up because they can cost around $999.

3 Pokemon Stadium N64 Battle Set - $1,800

Custom-Pokemon-Stadium-Nintendo-64

For players who love their Pokemon merch, this might be worth the $2000 price tag. The listings on eBay that pop up every so often are often priced in this range, and it's important to remember that this is not the same as the Pikachu-themed blue and yellow set.

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The set isn't only a custom color but was also decorated with specific patterns and figurines in the shape of famous Pokemon. The complete set has other extras too, like a Trainer's Journal and a handy way to port a player's pocket monsters from their game packs to this Nintendo console.

2 Hong Kong Edition Famicom ($230)

Nintendo Famicom Hong Kong Console

The Famicom is the name that was given to the NES in Japan. It was released in Japan in 1983 and the NES was released in the rest of the world through the rest of the 1980s and into the 1990s. The NES and the Famicom are both still popular retro consoles, but they're not all that rare.

The exception to this is the Hong Kong Version of the Famicom. This is exactly like the Japanese console, except for the fact that it was created exclusively to be sold in Hong Kong. Although it seems rare for such a specific change to be one that collectors seek out, Nintendo fans are serious. This console will set a collector back $230, a small price to pay to complete their Famicom collection.

1 Game Boy Advance SP 24K Gold Edition (Priceless)

Game Boy Zelda Gold

The Game Boy Advance SP 24k Gold Edition is by far the rarest Nintendo console ever made. It's impossible to put a price on it, partially because many people are skeptical of its existence. A Nintendo fan that claims to own one once shared some photos, but that's it.

According to advertisements, around 6 different copies of The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap came with a special ticket that could be traded in for this special solid gold Game Boy Advance.

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