Seize Your Chance to Own a Rare Nintendo PlayStation Controller This August

This August, another rare relic from the ill-fated collaboration between Nintendo and Sony will be going under the hammer at Legacy Auctions. This time, it’s a prototype controller from the Nintendo PlayStation project, a venture that tantalizingly almost bridged the gap between the two gaming giants.

Back in 2020, a prototype of the never-released Nintendo PlayStation console fetched a staggering $360,000 at auction. While it’s unlikely that another console unit will surface, the appearance of a second prototype controller is set to ignite the auction scene this summer.

Originally envisioned by Sony as its entry into the gaming industry, the Nintendo PlayStation was essentially an enhanced Super Nintendo console with a CD-ROM drive designed to utilize Sony’s Super Disc format, aimed at enriching games with more multimedia content.

However, the project fell apart after Nintendo switched partnerships to Philips in 1991, leading to the presumed destruction of around 200 prototype units. The resurgence of one such unit in 2015, which eventually sold to a high-profile collector from Pets.com and Toys.com, was a historical moment.

Although the full backstory of this upcoming auctioned controller remains undisclosed, Legacy Auctions reveals that it sports the classic design of a Super Nintendo controller, subtly branded with ‘Sony PlayStation’ in a sleek dark gray on its face. Despite minor wear, the controller is presented in excellent condition. However, its functionality remains unconfirmed due to the rarity of compatible consoles, leading to a strict no-return policy for the eventual buyer.

With past auctions seeing vintage games like Super Mario Bros. reaching sky-high prices, the anticipation around how much this controller will fetch adds another layer of excitement. While it may not reach the heights of the console itself, its uniqueness as a piece of gaming history is undeniable.

Bidding will commence on August 2nd and conclude on August 24th at Legacy Auctions, where the true value of this rare and potentially non-operational controller will be determined.