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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Nintendohas been in the video game world fora longtime. 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 areincredibly rareand hard to find. One of them is so rare they might not even exist.
Updated on June 01, 2025, by Kristy Ambrose:Previously unknown vintageNintendoconsoles 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 theseconsoles are equally rare and expensivebut for different reasons.
13The 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 becauseit was big news when Oculus co-founder Palmer Luckeypurchased it for over $300,000 at an online auction in 2020.
12MTV’s Limited Edition GameCube Consoles (Priceless)
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, fivedesigns were releasedas 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.
11Panasonic Q - $700
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 foraround $700, but a brand new one in its box with a special Game Boy player accessory can go foraround $1,800.
10Game Boy Micro Mother 3 Console - $2,000
Mother 3is 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 likeSuper 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.
9Nintendo 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 companythat produces a variety of luxury itemsand 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.
8Nintendo DS Animal Crossing Wild World - Priceless
Animal Crossing: Wild Worldwas one of the most popular games on the Nintendo DS when it was released. TheAnimal Crossingfranchise has spawned quite a few toys and limited edition consoles over the years, but this one celebratingWild Worldon 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 specialAnimal Crossingconsoles, this special edition console wasonly 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.
7Game Boy Advance SP Pokémon Center Charizard - $1,000
Limited edition Nintendo consoles that feature art from the latestPokémongame have always been popular. These consoles are a ton of fun for video game collectors andPokémonfans 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 ofPokémon FireRed.
Today, a brand new one can set a serious collector backup to $1,000while finding the console in rougher shape, out of its original box tends to be cheaper but not by a lot.
6Pocket Pikachu Color - $70
While the Pocket Pikachu Color isn’t technically aconsolein 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 backup to $70for the semi-transparent grey plastic one. An opaque blue version was also released and is a lot rarer, too.
5Nintendo 64 Watermelon Red - $260
The Nintendo 64 was released in 1996and was officially discontinuedin 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.
4Hyundai Comboy - $999
Nintendo is a company that’s popular all over the world. Games and consoles have been released inso manycountries 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 costaround $999.
