Searching for the Fabled Pink Heart Gameboy – The World‘s Rarest Nintendo Relic
I‘ll never forget the first time I saw pictures of the Pink Heart Gameboy DMG. Like glimpsing a long-extinct creature brought back to life, the images electrified collectors. Here in vibrant pink and purple colors was the stuff of legends — a one-of-a-kind Nintendo prototype! For over 20 years rumors circulated of its existence. Game historians and veteran company employees debated whether the heart-branded beauty was real or just an April Fools prank. As an avid retro gamer and DMG collector myself, finding out the truth became a personal quest.
Through Nintendo fan forums I eventually contacted the owner in Japan who verified its provenance. He won the system back in the late 90s from a Japanese Nintendo Power magazine contest. After taking this unicorn to various experts, he began sharing photos of it online much to the skepticism of the gaming community. But upon closer inspection all evidence — from factory mold markings to aged plastics — indicates the Pink Heart edition is an authentic Gameboy. So where did this mystery machine come from? Leading theories suggest a limited run to test bold new casing colors that never saw full production. Today despite some yellowing, the Heart DMG remains in extraordinary condition. Experts appraise this gaming holy grail at up to $15,000! But good luck trying to buy it; the owner still proudly displays his prize possession as the ultimate Nintendo collectible.
The discovery of the Pink Heart DMG injected new excitement into the vintage Nintendo market. If one-of-a-kind gems like this can resurface after 20 years, what other Grail items lie waiting out there? Let‘s showcase some of the other incredibly rare GAMEBOY models and games that fans covet.
The GAMEBOY Elite – Most Valuable Special Editions
For those passionate about Nintendo‘s revolutionary handheld, a number of special GAMEBOY editions command premium prices…
GBA SP NES Edition – $500 Near Mint/$250 Used
Paying homage to Nintendo‘s first smash hit console, the NES SP features that classic bright red casing with warm gold accents. This stylish reboot released in 2005 celebrates the 20th anniversary of Super Mario Brothers launching alongside the original NES. Each SP came packaged with a retro Nintendo carry bag too. Only 25,000 units produced initially, but extreme popularity led to an eventual re-release of 50,000 more. However those later models replaced the commemorative anniversary stamp with the standard GBA SP mark. About 30% of owners display their SP NES Edition sealed in plastic. Loose used systems still fetch upwards of $250. Mint condition and original packaging can push values past $500.
Pokemon Center GBA SP – $800+ New
For Pokemon mega fans, the high carat gold edition GBA SP embodies Poké-perfection! Released exclusively through Japanese Pokemon Center stores in 2006, this collector‘s fantasy flies off shelves at $200 originally. Each system came bundled with an exclusive Ho-Oh game distribution cartridge. Only 30,000 production units guarantees coveted status for the golden handheld. New in box models now trade over $800! Even loose systems still command $500+. But good luck finding one…
Gameboy Light – $1200+ In Box
Japan retained exclusive rights to the revolutionary Gameboy Light in 1998. This little discussed edition featured a slimmer form, brighter active matrix screen, and user adjustable front light for play in the dark! Discontinued after just a year, today demand explodes for this stealth sleeper hit. Loose tested units run $400-600. But new in box? Prepare to shell out $1200+ for what may be GAMEBOY‘s most innovative iteration!
20th Anniversary Gameboy Micro – $350 Factory Sealed
The Gameboy Micro debuted late 2005 as Nintendo‘s then final GAMEBOY release. While initial reception felt lukewarm to the pea-sized but powerful new handheld, nostalgia has boosted Micro prices significantly. But one stylish edition shines brighter as the rarest and most sought after…The 20th Anniversary Micro! Mimicking styling of the NES controller, this micro machine looks ultra sleek in metallic silver offset by those iconic red buttons. Region free with swappable faceplates, only 20,000 graced North America initially. New in box models break $350 now. And if you spot a factory sealed 20th Anniversary — buy it! Last one I saw went for $750…
KEY VALUE FACTORS – What Makes GAMEBOYS So Valuable
Metrics like production runs clearly help steer GAMEBOY prices. But focusing exclusively on sheer scarcity overlooks other vital aspects that make systems valuable (or worthless!) to collectors. Here are the key attributes driving top dollar for Nintendo handhelds:
As an avid collector and dealer myself, I assess prospective purchases across all these spectra. Pristine condition and completeness rank just as crucial as manufacturing quirks. Remember most buyers want to proudly display and even use their prized GAMEBOY, not just seal it away unseen!
Let‘s explore each factor a bit deeper…
Manufacturing Oddities – Some of gaming’s most legendary hardware contain long corrected production defects rather than intentional design. Nintendo‘s factories churned out millions of DMGs for example — slightest glitches in plastic molding or chip printing meant instant collector bait! Take the elusive “MGB-001” Gameboy, stamped with the preceding development codename. Or the vibrant yellow DMG with inverted power LED colors due to an assembly mix-up. Even "miscut" cartridge covers with uneven trim lines make games insanely valuable. Got an odd misprint or chip error? Check eBay recent sales for that variation’s value!
Completeness & Condition – Collector grade means all original components, inserts, and pack-ins present. We scrutinize boxes for crushing damage, manuals for markings, cart labels and system finish for scuffing or yellowing. Differentiating between wear defects vs age degradation makes grading tricky. For portables especially, broken pixels, sound issues, or battery corrosion can quickly sink prices. Be sure to inspect carefully before purchasing to accurately gauge condition. When evaluating your own collection, isolate and safely store all hardware, paperwork, and packaging together to leverage completeness value.
Edition Variants – Special editions and EXCLUSIVE regional models tempt collectors with forbidden fruit. Color variations in particular extend lineups exponentially. But beware – re-shelling or custom spraying common systems to mimic rare editions remains quite easy. Always verify legitimacy by scrutinizing production codes and plastics. For example European DMGs sport thicker logos than Japanese editions. And vibrant, deeper plastic colors often indicate newer production runs. Regardless, flaunting an exclusive new Gameboy edition makes any Nintendo fan‘s day!
Future GAMEBOY Outlook – Sky‘s the Limit?
If this deep dive shows anything, Nintendo collectors display near limitless passion in pursuit of elite GAMEBOY hardware and software! Prices on vintage models continue reaching all time highs in 2022. Last year, 9 graded DMG-001 systems broke $5000 at auction. Experts cite several key trends accelerating market growth:
- Surging popularity of casual collecting through shows like the Toy Hunter demonstrate mass appeal
- Improved storage solutions help preserve aging plastic and metals long-term
- Advancements in mods and emulators expand playability on HDTVs with original hareware
Regarding future releases, Nintendo may have abandoned its bestselling handheld lineage, but boutique partners like Analogue keep the systems alive with aftermarket love. However 2023’s hot rumor? The Nintendo Switch Gameboy Emulator! This app with alleged custom color palette options makes every Switch an all-in-one Nintendo portable spanning decades of gameplay evolution!
But whether you‘re a bargain hunter or high roller, GAMEBOYs offer countless classics guaranteed to spark gaming joy. I‘ll wrap this guide up with my favorite picks spanning both accessible retro fun as well as coveted Grail list additions destined for your collection one day!
Rare GAMEBOY Collector Must Haves
- Pink Heart DMG – 1 of 1 Prototype
- Pokemon Center GBA – Gold Edition
- 1990 Nintendo World Championships GREY Cart
Nostalgic GAMEBOY Values
- Gameboy Advance SP – AGS-101 Backlit Model
- Metroid 2 (DMG) or Super Mario Land 2 (GBC)
- Warios Woods (DMG) – Final Licensed Release
Let the search begin! With so many Gameboys and games to still discover, the most exciting treasures always emerge when we least expect them!
