"Rare 25-Year-Old 'Space World' GameCube Prototype Hits eBay at $100K"

The Nintendo GameCube, now nearly 25 years old, continues to captivate a dedicated community of enthusiasts eager to acquire the rarest versions of the console. Among the most sought-after are the Panasonic Q, known for its DVD playback capability, and unique editions like the Mobile Suit Gundam Char Red console. However, the crown jewel in rarity might just be the 'Space World' GameCube, a prototype showcased at the Nintendo Space World 2000 convention during the console's debut. Believed to be lost to history, this LED-equipped prototype made a surprising reappearance in 2023, discovered by Donny Fillerup at ConsoleVariations.

The Space World GameCube stands out from the retail version in several ways. Notably, it lacks any functional hardware except for a few LEDs meant to simulate an operational state. Physically, it features a semi-transparent black logo at the top, allowing visibility of the disc inside, and slightly altered vents. According to ConsoleVariations, there are over 20 differences between this prototype and the original Japanese GameCube.

Donny Fillerup from ConsoleVariations has now listed this Space World 2000 GameCube on eBay with an astonishing asking price of $100,000. The intention behind the sale, as stated by Fillerup, is to fund a gaming venue where visitors can recapture the joy of youth. Interestingly, the console is being sold without its accompanying controller, which also differs significantly from the standard GameCube controller.

Fillerup is no stranger to dealing in rare gaming hardware. In 2022, he successfully auctioned off a Golden Wii, previously gifted to the British Royal Family by THQ, for $36,000. Given this track record, the question arises: Is it too ambitious to think that a historically significant prototype like the Space World GameCube could fetch $100,000? If you have the funds, you might just be able to own this piece of gaming history. However, Fillerup is also open to offers, suggesting that the final sale price could potentially be lower than the listed $100,000.