Rare Nintendo GameCube Prototype Lists for $100,000
Historic display model from Space World 2000 emerges on market, drawing collector attention.
A Nintendo GameCube prototype, originally showcased at the Space World 2000 trade show, has emerged on the collector’s market with a substantial price tag of $100,000 USD. Console Variations’ Donny Fillerup has listed the rare display model on eBay, offering potential buyers a unique piece of gaming history.
The prototype represents a significant milestone in Nintendo’s hardware development, having served as one of the first public presentations of the GameCube’s design. While the listing includes a “best offer” option, the six-figure asking price positions this artifact firmly in the high-end collectibles market.
Historic Display Model Details
This particular unit features several distinct characteristics that set it apart from the retail version. Notable differences include a transparent window on the top lid for disc visibility and printed text for each button. The prototype lacks certain plastic ridges found on the final product, though it maintains a remarkably similar overall appearance to the commercial release.
The model’s primary function was purely demonstrative, containing only basic internal electronics for button illumination. As a display piece, it lacks the components necessary for gaming functionality, serving instead as a physical representation of Nintendo’s design direction during the console’s development phase.
The Space World GameCube listing has attracted significant attention, with approximately 200 potential buyers monitoring the sale. Given the historical significance of the piece and previous high-value transactions in the gaming collectibles market, the prototype represents a unique opportunity for serious collectors to acquire a tangible piece of Nintendo’s hardware development history.