"Rare 25-Year-Old GameCube Prototype Up for Sale on eBay at $100K"

The Nintendo GameCube, now nearly 25 years old, continues to captivate a dedicated community of enthusiasts eager to acquire its rarest editions. Among these, the Panasonic Q stands out for its unique ability to play DVDs, a feature absent in the standard GameCube. Another coveted variant is the Mobile Suit Gundam Char Red console. However, the crown jewel of rarity is the 'Space World' GameCube, a prototype unveiled at the Nintendo Space World 2000 event. Believed to be lost, this LED-equipped prototype made a surprising reappearance in 2023, discovered by Donny Fillerup of ConsoleVariations.

The Space World GameCube prototype differs significantly from the retail version. It lacks functional hardware, featuring only LEDs to simulate operation. Physically, it sports a semi-transparent black logo at the top, allowing visibility of any disc inside, and modified vents. According to ConsoleVariations, there are over 20 differences between this prototype and the original Japanese GameCube.

Currently, Donny Fillerup has listed this historic Space World 2000 GameCube on eBay with an asking price of $100,000. The purpose of the sale, as stated by Fillerup, is to fund a gaming venue where visitors can relive their youth. Notably, the console is being sold without its unique controller, which deviates from the standard GameCube controller design.

Fillerup is no stranger to dealing in rare gaming hardware. In 2022, he successfully auctioned off a Golden Wii, once gifted to the British Royal Family by THQ, for $36,000. Given this track record, the possibility of the Space World GameCube fetching $100,000 does not seem far-fetched. However, Fillerup is open to offers, suggesting the final sale price could be lower than the listed amount. If you have the funds, you might just be able to own a piece of gaming history.