The Nintendo GameCube is nearly 25 years old, but the console has a following of diehard enthusiasts looking to get their hands on the rarest variants of the system. Some of the rarest ones out there include the Panasonic Q, which can read DVDs (something the normal GameCube could not do), and the countless variants, such as the Mobile Suit Gundam Char Red console.
But perhaps rarest of them all is the 'Space World' GameCube, which is in fact just a prototype shown off at the Nintendo Space World 2000 convention during the console's reveal. Thought to be lost to time, one of the LED-equipped prototypes resurfaced in 2023 at ConsoleVariations, found by Donny Fillerup.
There are a couple of things that differentiate the Space World GameCube from the retail model. Most notably, it doesn’t have any actual hardware inside it aside from a handful of LEDs to make it appear as though it was on. In terms of physical differences, the black logo at the top of the system is now semi-transparent toward the bottom, so you can see any disc placed inside of it, as well as some variation to the vents. There are over 20 differences between the original Japanese Gamecube, and this prototype model in total, according to ConsoleVariations.
Now, ConsoleVariations’ Donny Fillerup has listed the Space World 2000 Gamecube console on eBay for a staggering $100,000. Fillerup said in the listing that he is looking to sell the console in order to fund “a gaming place” where visitors can “feel young again."
Interestingly, the console is not being auctioned off alongside its controller, which is also significantly different from the standard GameCube controller.
This isn’t the seller’s first rodeo when it comes to selling rare consoles. In 2022, Fillerup auctioned off a Golden Wii, which was at one point gifted to the British Royal Family by THQ, for $36,000.
So, is it really too far-fetched to say that a historically significant prototype like the Space World GameCube could sell for $100,000? If you’ve got enough cash in your pocket, you might be able to take one home. But it's possible the console could be sold for cheaper than the $100,000 asking price, as Fillerup is also open to offers.
Image credit: Adam Doree.
Sayem is a freelancer based in the UK, covering tech & hardware. You can get in touch with him at @sayem.zone on Bluesky.
