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Nintendo hardware enthusiasts have been scouring the internet for more than two decades in search of special prototype Nintendo GameCube consoles - the Space World 2000 expo model has long been sought after by hardcore collectors. Nintendo revealed (at the time) its upcoming home console as well as the Game Boy Advance handheld system at their annual video game trade show held near Tokyo, or the company's hometown of Kyoto, Japan. Space World 2000 (Makuhari Messe, Chiba) would end up being the penultimate show, with Nintendo choosing to not continue with their regular consumer event post-2001.
Consolevariations, a gaming hardware database, this week reported via a blog post that an interesting GameCube prototype was up for sale, following a tip received on Discord, and it quickly became apparent that this slightly bashed and chipped example was indeed one of the very first models revealed to the public at Nintendo's Space World 2000 expo. Several preview units were also demoed on the showroom floor at the August 2001 event, but experts think that these were sourced from the previous year's batch.
A Consolevariations representative managed to contact the seller, and arranged for a bit of hands-on time with the Space World prototype. A regular retail version of the GameCube (Japanese DOL-001) was within reach for purposes of comparing, and the current owner allowed a small photo shoot to take place. There are clear external differences between this prototype and final retail unit - Consolevariations noted over 20 discrepancies - their blog provides a decent rundown of these details.
The prototype is not in working order according to the blog, the author was allowed access to the console's insides and observed: "Nothing is connected, there is a loose PCB, with the name CPU-DJ-X2 that indicates that this is a prototype board there is no CPU or GPU installed, just wires that go to the LED on top, everything can be removed without screws except the base." The GameCube first launched in September of 2001, for the Japanese market, sporting an IBM PowerPC 750CXe "Gekko" CPU and ATI "Flipper" ArtX-designed GPU (with 3 MB embedded 1T-SRAM functioning as video memory).
Consolevariations has not revealed the seller's asking price. The site's database has not been updated with a new entry for the Space World-era GameCube prototype.
Check out Adam Doree's footage from the 2000 event:
View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source
Consolevariations, a gaming hardware database, this week reported via a blog post that an interesting GameCube prototype was up for sale, following a tip received on Discord, and it quickly became apparent that this slightly bashed and chipped example was indeed one of the very first models revealed to the public at Nintendo's Space World 2000 expo. Several preview units were also demoed on the showroom floor at the August 2001 event, but experts think that these were sourced from the previous year's batch.
A Consolevariations representative managed to contact the seller, and arranged for a bit of hands-on time with the Space World prototype. A regular retail version of the GameCube (Japanese DOL-001) was within reach for purposes of comparing, and the current owner allowed a small photo shoot to take place. There are clear external differences between this prototype and final retail unit - Consolevariations noted over 20 discrepancies - their blog provides a decent rundown of these details.
The prototype is not in working order according to the blog, the author was allowed access to the console's insides and observed: "Nothing is connected, there is a loose PCB, with the name CPU-DJ-X2 that indicates that this is a prototype board there is no CPU or GPU installed, just wires that go to the LED on top, everything can be removed without screws except the base." The GameCube first launched in September of 2001, for the Japanese market, sporting an IBM PowerPC 750CXe "Gekko" CPU and ATI "Flipper" ArtX-designed GPU (with 3 MB embedded 1T-SRAM functioning as video memory).
Consolevariations has not revealed the seller's asking price. The site's database has not been updated with a new entry for the Space World-era GameCube prototype.
Check out Adam Doree's footage from the 2000 event:
View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source
