The Saga of $360,000 Nintendo PlayStation Prototype: Rarest Gaming Console in Existence

Sony fans aka avid gamers now have cause to rejoice as this just in – A console made by the divine collaboration of Nintendo and Sony! Well, the idea may sound ‘too good to be true’ but it appears to have transpired already. Yes, to witness the biggest collaboration in gaming history, we shall have to go back a few years and revisit the saga of the rarest gaming console to ever exist. This is the story of the most iconic collaboration that is due to change the course of history of console evolution in the coming years. But how? Apparently, this forgotten chapter of gaming may have been the announcement of Sony’s console uprising. 

Today, Nintendo and PlayStation stand on the biggest pedestals of console brands, and deservingly so. However, things weren’t always the same. While the Japanese Gaming giant has already adapted to the pulse of the zeitgeist, Sony was looking for experiments. This resulted in a collaboration that may have been an ideal ‘game changer’ for the industry. Fate, however, had other plans as the merger didn’t fruition. Thus, leaving us the rarest gaming console to exist to date as a symbol of ‘What could have been’. 

A rare sighting of the piquant Nintendo PlayStation prototype worth $360,000!

Sony’s first major gaming venture, the PlayStation, was never intended to be a stand-alone device but rather a joint venture with their main rival of the present day, Nintendo. The saga of the “Nintendo PlayStation” prototype, the last survivor of a failed joint venture, has a remarkable history. Its functionality and ties to Sony’s founder add a captivating layer to its significance in gaming history. Have a look at the only surviving prototype from the alleged 200 creations. 

As fittingly dubbed “the Nintendo PlayStation” by fans of gaming history, the Super NES CD-ROM was intended to be an expansion for the well-known Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Imagine it as something like the Sega CD add-on for the Genesis. Unfortunately, in the early ’90s, Sony and Nintendo’s CD console partnership fell apart. According to reports, the other prototypes were destroyed, making this surviving console the only testament of the ever occurring Nintendo X PlayStation deal. 

Termination woes forge a blurry future for gaming ahead

The reason for the termination of the collaboration is reported to be the difference in company approach and visions. In simple words, Sony wanted to emphasize CD gaming but Nintendo aimed at an evolution. The differences only widened with time, resulting in the companies parting ways. 

Read More: Is Nintendo Ready to Step Up Its Game in the Face of Growing Xbox and PlayStation Dominance?

This unit that was sold still works, according to Heritage Auctions, and once belonged to Sony Interactive Entertainment founder Olaf Olafsson. Olafsson eventually left Sony to work at Advanta, then joined Time Warner, but reportedly left his Nintendo PlayStation prototype behind. Advanta soon filed for bankruptcy and began selling everything in its corporate office at auction, which included the console.

Of course, gaming fans are no strangers to missed opportunities. The history of unfortunate cancellations is deeply rooted in the gaming community. But the existence of the Nintendo PlayStation console adds a layer of mystery and fascination to the rich gaming past. 

So, can the fans hope for a collaboration between the giants again? Certainly, a long shot, but let’s hope to witness this someday! 

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