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

The Nintendo GameCube, now almost 25 years old, continues to captivate a dedicated community of collectors eager to track down the rarest iterations of this iconic console. Among the most sought-after versions are the Panasonic Q, capable of reading DVDs—a feature absent from the standard GameCube—and various special editions, like the Mobile Suit Gundam Char Red console. However, the rarest of them all remains the 'Space World' GameCube, originally unveiled at the Nintendo Space World 2000 expo. Thought to be lost to history, one of these LED-lit prototypes resurfaced in 2023 at ConsoleVariations, discovered by Donny Fillerup.

Unlike the production models, this prototype lacks functional internal components, featuring only a few LEDs to simulate operation. Visually, it differs from the retail version with a semi-transparent black logo at the top, allowing visibility of any disc inserted, along with modified vent designs. According to ConsoleVariations, there are over 20 distinctions between the original Japanese GameCube and this prototype.

The GameCube showcased at Nintendo's Space World 2000 event. Image credit: Adam Doree.

ConsoleVariations’ Donny Fillerup has listed the Space World 2000 GameCube on eBay for an impressive $100,000. He aims to use the proceeds to establish a gaming space where visitors can relive their youth. Interestingly, the console will not come bundled with its controller, which also diverges significantly from the standard GameCube design.

This isn’t Fillerup’s first high-profile sale; in 2022, he auctioned a Golden Wii, previously gifted to the British Royal Family by THQ, for $36,000. While the Space World GameCube's asking price may seem steep, Fillerup is open to negotiation, leaving room for potential buyers to strike a deal below the listed amount.