If you’ve been following Retro Dodo for some time, you’ll know that we’re absolutely obsessed with rare Gameboys, we collect them, we pimp them and we mod them.
They’re growing in popularity by the day and the true collectors will know that they’re somewhat becoming an expensive console to collect, especially in boxed and or mint conditions. Heck, thanks to Retro Future, Mr Beast is even collecting them!
We want to start a new series here on our website, dedicated to shining light on some of the rarest games consoles, accessories and even games from around the world, and we thought we’d start the series off with the oh so popular Gameboy.
In this video we feature a wide range of rare Gameboys, ones that you may have hidden in your attics to Gameboys that are so rare that there’s rumoured to be only 1 in the world.
So, sit back relax, and enjoy our first article of The Rarest & Most Valuable series. We have also launched our video series on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe.
A shoutout goes to Console Variations for supplying some of this research.
Table of Contents
1. Pokemon Gameboy Advance SP
We’ll start off with one that’s not technically rare, but rather continuously growing in value, and that’s the limited edition Pokemon Gameboy Advance SP’s. More specifically the Charizard edition.
It is rumoured that only 10,000 to 50,000 of these were ever made and the most recent auction on eBay of this console sold for over $500, and that’s not sealed! Sealed versions with a high PSA grading have sold for almost $15,000 and as of recording this video, there’s one listed on eBay priced at $20,000 buy it now. Crazy!
The only way to obtain one of these back in the day was to buy it at the official Nintendo World Store in New York City in 2004 close to the Gameboy Advance SP launch.
Not only was this wanted for the exclusive Charizard design, but it was also the newer model of the GBA SP known as the AGS-101 which had a brighter back lit screen instead of the original hazey front lit screen of the AGS 001.
Due to Pokemon’s recent boom in popularity this variant has been increasing in value drastically, just like the rare Pokemon Topps cards! So check your basements, ask your parents and hop in your attics because you may just hit the jackpot.
2. Pink Heart Gameboy DMG
This is a Gameboy we never knew existed until we started doing some research for this video, many thought it was fake, but it wasn’t until recently that facts came to fruition about what could be the rarest Gameboy DMG ever.
It’s known as the “Pink Heart Gameboy” a Gameboy so rare that there’s rumoured to be the only one in the world.
A 1 of 1 official Gameboy that was actually featured on Nintendo’s website, and nobody until a few years ago thought it was real.
Reddit user under the name of JesusPunks made a post stating “Looking through old junk and found this. Mum says she won it on a Gameshow in the 90’s”.
After doing some research it is apparent that the mother won it on a popular 90’s game show in the UK called “Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway”. Which funnily enough is still going to this day.
The only way to obtain this very rare Gameboy was to ring in and answer a bunch of quiz questions, the lucky prize would be a Pink Heart Gameboy which at the time was nothing special, but now 20+ years later it is now crowned one of the rarest Gameboys ever. Cheers Mum!
This Gameboy has never been sold, or if it has it’s never been public, so it’s hard to put a price on what it’s actually worth.
Undoubtedly it would be in the tens of thousands but it all comes down to what collector is crazy enough to buy it. Imagine playing your best Gameboy games on this…
3. Golden Gameboy Advance SP
The golden Gameboy Advance SP is probably the most valuable Gameboy of the lot, and that’s not only because it’s golden but also because of the mysterious nature of how you go about getting hold of one.
Originally back in November of 2004 the Zelda Minish Cap was released, and with that came limited edition consoles to celebrate the launch with a tri-force printed on top.
But what was extra special was that Nintendo placed 6 golden tickets inside 6 boxes of this variant.
This golden ticket allowed you to win a 24K gold Gameboy Advance SP that weighed the same as a small child.
6 out of 25,000 is a very small chance of winning and for years nobody thought it was real because nobody came out saying they won it, and Nintendo never made the winners public.
There was also 1 other golden Gameboy to win, this was given to the magazine Games ™ by Nintendo for a competition. To win all you had to do was email the answer to the following question:
“By what other name are the Minish people known?”
This competition run until the end of 2004, but again there was no public information regarding the winner.
BUT in 2019 the golden Gameboys started to pop up proving that the competitions were in fact real and that the Golden Gameboys are amongst some of the rarest Gameboys in the world.
Only a few have been found as of now, two of them have been sourced on twitter by user LSuperSonicQ. They look simple, but one of the owners has stated the following:
“The GB isn’t solid metal. It was actually made by a company using electroplating to attach gold to unpainted factory parts so weight wise it’s about the same as a normal unit”.
They’re also based on the old AGS 001 so its front lit instead of back lit and came in no box nor display.
But nonetheless an incredibly rare and valuable Gameboy that any collector would dream of having, as of now none has been sold so the price is still unknown. Be honest, how much would you pay for one of these? We want this to play some our best Gameboy Advance games, asap!
4. Golden Sun Gameboy Advance
Finally, a rare Gameboy Advance I hear you ask! By far one of the most popular consoles of the Gameboy line.
Golden Sun is a very popular retro game that was officially released for the first time on the Gameboy Advance in 2001. With the release came a special edition variant in Japan that’s so rare only 20 were actually made.
The only image of this Gameboy Advance SP to be seen is in fact the promotional image for the Golden Sun GBA that was a competition within the CoroCoro magazine from Japan.
The Gameboy had a golden painted shell with the words “Golden Sun” on the top of the screen and character sprites below.
This console keeps growing in demand and is swiftly becoming one of the rarest consoles out there because nobody has proof of owning one nor is there any listings.
Some could say the competition failed and that they were never sent out, others say they must have been thrown away in the past but many still believe they are out there, waiting to be found.
5. CoroCoro Gameboy Color
While we’re on the subject of CoroCoro they also gave birth to more rare Gameboys, this time a Pokemon edition Gameboy Color.
CoroCoro is a magazine that was established in 1977 dedicated to Japanese manga, and it’s always been quite popular especially in the 90s and early 2000’s when it started featuring Gameboy games and the best Gameboy accessories.
In 1999 CoroCoro celebrated their 250th issue by giving away limited edition Pokemon Gameboy Colors. It is rumoured than only 20 – 30 of these consoles were made, making them highly sought after.
What made this Gameboy special was the detailing across the whole console. The screen lens had pikachu faces everywhere, a 250th logo at the bottom and the middle featuring pikachu saying thank you. It’s an all round looker.
For Pokemon lovers this is the ultimate collectible but finding one is hard. Many of them have probably been lost and only a couple has popped up on eBay but the most recent sold in November of 2020 for $5,000 and this wasn’t even in good condition.
Apparently, they never came boxed, just the console was given out if you were lucky enough to win it and like every Gameboy Color it had no back lit screen.
So there’s a little look at some of the rarest and most valuable Gameboys on the planet.
Most of them unattainable, but if there’s anything to take away from this video that’s to keep your consoles in good condition and boxed if you can because every day that goes by more and more collectors want to get their hands on rare Gameboys.
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Brandon Saltalamacchia
A 29 year old fella that’s had a Gameboy addiction ever since he was a child. Brandon is the founder of RetroDodo and created a YouTube channel with 240,000 subscribers dedicated to retro gaming products. He now wants to create the No.1 site to showcase the latest retro products from around the globe.
FAQs
Which Game Boy is the rarest? ›
Pink Heart Gameboy DMG
It's known as the “Pink Heart Gameboy” a Gameboy so rare that there's rumoured to be the only one in the world. A 1 of 1 official Gameboy that was actually featured on Nintendo's website, and nobody until a few years ago thought it was real.
One that tends to be highly sought after is the GBA SP NES edition, a handheld that pays homage to Nintendo's first-ever home console. One of these used consoles will set you back around $74, knocking the Game Boy Micro off the top spot as the most expensive second-hand used Game Boy.
Are gameboys worth any money? ›An original Game Boy can be worth up to $1,500 today.
What is the most rare Game Boy Color game? ›By far, the rarest and most expensive game in the Game Boy Color's library is actually a limited edition release of a game. The limited-edition version of The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages was released in 2001 and is a dual release of both the games that were released at this time.
What rare game is most successful? ›Several Rare games, such as Donkey Kong Country and GoldenEye 007, have been cited as among the greatest and most influential games of all time, though some fans and former employees have been critical of the company's output under Microsoft.
What is the oldest Game Boy? ›...
Game Boy.
| An original Game Boy | |
|---|---|
| Successor | Game Boy Color |
| Sale Date ▲ ▼ | Title ▲ ▼ | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-08-10 | Nintendo Game Boy DMG-01 Sealed W/Tetris [eBay] | $2,230.00 |
| 2020-05-27 | NEW Open Box Nintendo Original Game Boy System w/8 CIB/Loose Games & Super GB [eBay] | $425.00 |
| 2020-04-08 | Original Gameboy System [PriceCharting] | $200.00 |
His creation measures 39.8 inches tall, 24 inches wide and 7.8 inches deep. "On a small Game Boy, you can just press two buttons with one finger, your thumb," Unal explained.
How much did a Game Boy cost in 1989? ›The original Game Boy, launched in 1989 for a mere $89.99, would only cost $169.73 today (at a 88.6 percent inflation rate). Game Boy Color, released in the summer of 1998 for the low sum of $69.99, would cost only $100 today, with a 40.4 percent inflation rate.
Why is Game Boy popular? ›Firstly, the design of the console itself is basic yet effective. Its simple, single-color interface is a small drawback in comparison with its competitors, yet it enabled the Game Boy to have an amazingly long 30-hour battery life that was essential and helpful for extensive multiplayer sessions.
What was the first Game Boy Color? ›
| The Atomic Purple version | |
|---|---|
| Generation | Fifth |
| Release date | JP: October 21, 1998 NA: November 18, 1998 EU: November 23, 1998 AU: November 27, 1998 |
| Lifespan | 1998–2003 |
| Introductory price | US$79.95 |
The list of Nintendo Game Boy Color games includes 918 licensed releases from the platform's launch in 1998 to the final release in 2003.
How much was the original Game Boy? ›In the U.S., it retailed for just $89.99, making it a big hit there too. In its fourteen-year lifespan, 118,69 million Game Boys (including all iterations) were sold worldwide.
What is the #1 game ever? ›1. Tetris – 520 million. Arguably the most timeless video game ever created, Tetris sits comfortably atop the list of all-time bestsellers with 520 million copies sold, according to The Tetris Company.
What is the number 1 game in world? ›1. PUBG. PUBG is the most popular online game in 2022, with a huge fan following.
What is the most profitable game right now? ›Top Grossing Role-Playing Games 2022
Honor of Kings, the MOBA inspired by League of Legends, was the highest grossing game of 2022 with $1.6 billion revenue. Genshin Impact, which is popular in China and Japan, came second, grossing $1.2 billion.
Released globally in 2005, the Nintendo Game Boy Micro was the last Game Boy console released by Nintendo. It was also the first console to feature interchangeable face plates.
What was the last Game Boy made? ›September 19, 2005: The Game Boy Micro
Released a year after the Nintendo DS, the successful portable system that replaced the Game Boy brand, this was the last iteration of the Game Boy Nintendo would release.
Since the Game Boy Color was released in 1998 (October for Japan, November everywhere else), this makes Pokémon Yellow Version the last game Nintendo produced for the original Game Boy, almost a year to the day after the Game Boy's successor/companion hit the market.
What is Pokemon Red worth? ›| Sale Date | Title | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-02-27 | Pokémon: Red Version (Nintendo Game Boy, 1999) [eBay] | $40.00 |
| 2023-02-27 | NINTENDO GAMEBOY POKEMON RED VERSION AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL TESTED working and saves [eBay] | $82.00 |
| 2023-02-27 | Pokemon Red Version Game Boy, 1998 (AUTHENTIC, Working battery & saves) [eBay] | $70.00 |
How much is Tetris on Gameboy worth? ›
| Sale Date | Title | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-20 | Tetris (Nintendo Game Boy, 1989) [eBay] | $7.50 |
| 2023-01-20 | Tetris [PriceCharting] | $11.20 |
| 2023-01-19 | Tetris [Gameboy Color] [Cartridge Only] [eBay] | $17.38 |
| 2023-01-18 | Tetris Worlds Nintendo Gameboy Boy Advance GBA 2002 tested working [eBay] | $7.00 |
The game of chess is a game of kings and also the king of games.
Who is the king of games? ›Polo, known as the king of games and game of kings was introduced by the spirited people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). Later, the British discovered and promoted it.
Who has the biggest memory game? ›- PC.
- Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
- Destiny 2.
- Rainbow Six Siege.
- Final Fantasy 15.
- Mass Effect: Legendary Edition.
- Borderlands 3.
Nowadays more so than ever, old video games are worth money, with some dedicated fans paying unbelievable sums of money for sealed copies of retro titles. In 2021, it's entirely possible to find video games worth more money than a Rolex watch, a new car, or even a house.
How can I get money for old games? ›- Craigslist.
- Decluttr.
- GameStop.
- SecondSpin.
- The Old School Game Vault.
- DK Oldies.
- Gameflip.
- eBay.
A used Gameboy Advance is worth between $39 – $155 depending on condition and whether the console comes boxed or with accessories. Can you remember the first time you picked up this portable powerhouse and held it in your palms for the first time?
What does DMG stand for Game Boy? ›This creation is named the Game Boy DMG-0B “Prototype,” a homage to the original model number of the Game Boy DMG-01, where DMG stands for Dot Matrix Game.
Why was Game Boy discontinued? ›The Game Boy was the dominant handheld console on the market for almost two decades, selling millions of examples. But the console died a quiet death in 2008 after the company had shifted its focus to the Nintendo DS. At the time, there seemed to be room in the market for the Game Boy.
How much did a NES cost in 1985? ›
NES Today. When the NES launched in 1985 it was priced at $149.99 and came complete with Super Mario Bros, Duck Hunt, a light gun accessory for Duck Hunt and an extra controller.
What was the first Game Boy model? ›Game Boy (1989)
The Game Boy came in 1989, the 21st of April for its Japan release to be exact. This model is often referred to as DMG (Dot Matrix Game) because that was its internal code name, a reference to its dot-matrix display. Designed by Gunpei Yokoi, perhaps it was destined for success.
The very first Game Boy was released on the 21st of April 1989 in Japan, with a European release following the next year. Internally, Nintendo had referred to the machine as “Dot Matrix Game” and so the initial model carried that internal name over with its serial number.
Why are Game Boy games green? ›The basic idea was that black pixels on a green background are slightly easier to see compared to black pixels on a white or grey background whenever you're playing in an environment that doesn't offer ideal lighting.
Do gameboys still exist? ›From publishers like Limited Run Games re-publishing the original Game Boy Color version of Shantae, to newer indie developers creating entirely new Game Boy games from the ground up, it looks like the Game Boy is here to stay.
What were the last GBA games? ›In Japan, the final game to have been released on the system is Final Fantasy VI Advance on November 30, 2006, which is also the final game published by Nintendo on the system. In North America, the last game for the system is Samurai Deeper Kyo, released on February 12, 2008.
What is the most popular Game Boy Color? ›The best-selling game on the Game Boy and Game Boy Color is Pokémon Red/Green/Blue/Yellow, which released in 1996 and sold over 46 million units worldwide.
What happens if you put a Game Boy Color game in a Game Boy? ›TLDR; You cannot, the Gameboy color runs off a different cartridge specification and will most likely *not* work with your original gameboy purely by design, it will however work with a Gameboy Advance or Gamecube Gameboy Player slot, or if you have it, a Gameboy color.
What's the rarest Nintendo game? ›- 8 Snow Brothers.
- 7 Bonk's Adventure.
- 6 Panic Restaurant.
- 5 Little Samson.
- 4 Cheetahmen 2.
- 3 Stadium Events.
- 2 Nintendo World Championship.
- 1 Nintendo Campus Challenge.
The 21-year-old designed the giant console on his computer and then spent a month in a laboratory building it. It measures 101 cm in height, 62 cm wide, and 20 cm deep.
How much money was the original Gameboy? ›
In the U.S., it retailed for just $89.99, making it a big hit there too. In its fourteen-year lifespan, 118,69 million Game Boys (including all iterations) were sold worldwide.
Which Nintendo systems are worth money? ›- 3 Link's Awakening Switch.
- 4 Mario 64 DS. ...
- 5 Hot Summer Donkey Kong DS. ...
- 6 Chibi Robo Wii U. ...
- 7 Gold Zelda GBA. ...
- 8 The Art of Wii. ...
- 9 MTV Gamecube. ...
- 10 Advance Wars DS. ...
Nowadays more so than ever, old video games are worth money, with some dedicated fans paying unbelievable sums of money for sealed copies of retro titles. In 2021, it's entirely possible to find video games worth more money than a Rolex watch, a new car, or even a house.
What is Nintendo's darkest game? ›Fall of Light: Darkest Edition for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site.
What is the heaviest game ever? ›- Ark: Survival Evolved.
- Call of Duty: Warzone.
- Call of Duty.
- Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Final Fantasy XV.
1. Tetris – 520 million. Arguably the most timeless video game ever created, Tetris sits comfortably atop the list of all-time bestsellers with 520 million copies sold, according to The Tetris Company.
How many Game Boy games exist? ›List of games. This is a sortable list of 1046 games released for the Game Boy handheld video game system, excluding any cancelled and unlicensed games.