If you own ‘holy grail’ Nintendo console from 1980's you could be sitting on $12,000
Hardcore Nintendo collectors have been on the search for one particular 'holy grail' console for years, and there's a chance you could have it sat in a box somewhere — earning you more than $12,000 if you decided to sell it online.
While Nintendo's Game & Watch consoles definitely hold a soft spot in the hearts of many fans, there's a specific rare version of the console produced in partnership with Phosphatine – a popular French cereal brand – that has driven a select few mad as they continue their hunt.
Like most expensive collector items in the world of gaming, this particular 'holy grail' was an incredibly limited version of something that's more popular in its standard version, making it cost far more than you'd expect.
While some items have been known for a long time, these particular consoles only became public knowledge recently, as per the Metro, and supposedly less than ten have been verified across the world.
How much is it selling for on the second-hand market?
You can pick up regular items related to the Game & Watch series for as little as $50 these days despite their age and growing rarity, but these Phosphatine tie-in consoles are exceedingly rare, setting you back as much as $12,000 (£9,000) for a set of three.
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Three devices, including the games 'Parachute [PR-21]', 'Fire [FR-27]', and 'Turtle Bridge [TL-28]', have just been put up for auction at Ewbank's in the United Kingdom, and each one has a guided price of between £1,500 and £3,000 — but that could obviously increase with demand.
Explaining why these rare consoles can soar in price so much, retro gaming expert James Spooner explained: "Phosphatine-branded Game & Watch systems are considered a holy grail for hardcore Nintendo collectors."
He added that "a key factor has been PlayStation's decision to stop selling physical product, so fans have been clamoring to get their hands on historic games and consoles that are now sought-after collectables."
Whether most of the people complaining about Sony's recent controversial move have the money to drop $12,000 on old Nintendo consoles is another question, however, but it's certainly a statement of intent from those lucky enough to afford a bid.
Other rare gaming items you should watch out for
Pretty much anything that's old and rare will continue to grow in value over time – so definitely hold onto anything you think might be worth something in a few decades time – but there are a few items that stand out in particular.
Promotional copies of the first Animal Crossing game can cost as 'low' as $1,434 – despite the 'not for resale sticker' – yet Graded copies can grow that price to a jaw-dropping $6,609.
By far the most valuable Nintendo product on the second-hand market right now, however, is Clay Fighter Sculptors Cut for the Nintendo 64, as that not only has a 'new' price of $20,000, but also a graded valuation of $175,000 — making it a significant investment for anyone looking to complete their collection.