Nintendo PlayStation Prototype Controller Up for Auction

In the 1990s, a historic collaboration between Nintendo and Sony resulted in the creation of the prototype controller for what was to be called the Nintendo PlayStation. However, Nintendo ultimately decided against pursuing this venture further, allowing Sony to forge ahead on their own path, becoming a major player in gaming history.

The prototype controller is now up for auction at Heritage Auctions, scheduled for August 22-24, 2024. This rare piece of gaming history has previously fetched high prices and is expected to attract serious collectors once again.


What do you think of the prices for these rare items? And how do you think the gaming world would be different if we’d have got the Nintendo PlayStation?

  • TimeNaan@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    43
    ·
    edit-2
    4 months ago

    Heritage Auctions is a scam. They worked with Wata on artificially inflating retro game prices during the pandemic.

    I have no idea why the NPS owners chose them.

    Edit: corrected Yata to Wata

    • mozz@mbin.grits.dev
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      12
      ·
      4 months ago

      *Wata

      And even a dirty auction house can still run an actual auction in the case where what they’re selling is more than just a shrink wrapped package of lies

      You’re not wrong though

  • the_crotch@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    15
    arrow-down
    4
    ·
    4 months ago

    I get that it’s historically significant, but this looks exactly like a standard SNES controller with different badging. I can’t imagine why someone would pay “big bucks” for it. It’s kind of boring as a collectable.

    • ramble81
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      4 months ago

      Then you definitely aren’t the target of this. There is tons more to it besides “does it look interesting “, most prototypes and mules don’t. But what if symbolized is massive. If this had gone forward it could have completely changed the landscape of gaming as we know it, and I’m not using hyperbole there.

      • the_crotch@sh.itjust.works
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        arrow-down
        3
        ·
        4 months ago

        The system would have changed the landscape, sure. There’s nothing unique about the controller. It’s a standard SNES controller with a Sony logo on it

        • ramble81
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          4 months ago

          Do you know how mules and prototypes work? It quite common to use existing chassis and parts for testing the core, then you follow up with those things.

          • the_crotch@sh.itjust.works
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            5
            arrow-down
            3
            ·
            4 months ago

            I get that. What that means is this isn’t a prototype controller. It’s a regular SNES controller with a different logo on it. The only thing that makes it special is that they used to to test something unique and interesting. Might as well buy the AC outlet the system was plugged into.

            • TimeNaan@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              4
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              edit-2
              4 months ago

              Not really, since this controller was made specifically with the prototype in mind.

              Just because it only differs in branding from the mass produced original doesn’t mean it’s not a unique item of historical value.

            • ramble81
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              2 months ago

              It just sold for $35,000… so I’d definitely say it was a unique piece someone wanted.

    • MrSpArkle@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      5
      ·
      4 months ago

      You understand it’s historically significant, but don’t know why anyone would pay for it?

      Not an inkling?

      If your empathy isn’t broken, this is a good troll.

      • the_crotch@sh.itjust.works
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        4 months ago

        You understand it’s historically significant

        Being attached to something historically significant (in certain parts of the internet, we’re not talking about the magna carta here) by itself doesn’t make a collectable interesting

        If your empathy isn’t broken

        lmao

  • xyzzy
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    4 months ago

    If you read the disclosures, you’ll see that there’s zero proof this is authentic.