A remarkably rare Foxdata Chrome Leopard Nintendo 64 (N64) controller, found in a gamer's loft, is set to hit the auction block, with expectations that it may fetch as much as $1,200.
The coveted item will be auctioned at Hansons Auctions on October 17, with an estimated value ranging between £700 and £1,000, approximately $850 to $1,215. This unique controller is believed to be one of only around 200 in existence.
Foxdata's Rare and Colorful N64 Controllers
In the late 1990s, Foxdata released a series of vibrant N64 controllers exclusively in the UK. The Chrome Leopard design was part of this series, which also included Desert Storm, Red Rain, and Purple Forest. These colorful controllers, known for their distinctive appearance, are highly sought after by collectors. It is estimated that Foxdata produced a mere 800 controllers in total across the four unique designs.
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Redditor Puts Rare N64 Controller in Auction
Liam Clousdale, the lucky owner of the controller, received it as a birthday gift in 1998 after seeing advertisements for Foxdata's unique N64 controller series in Nintendo magazines. He recently rediscovered the controller stored away in his loft.
Upon learning about the potential value of his vintage gaming accessory, he decided to part with it, passing it on to a fellow retro gaming enthusiast.
"All my friends used to go to each other's houses to play and, to avoid confusion, everyone liked to have their own unique pad. The Foxdata ones were amazing to me at the time as they were official pads but with custom paint jobs. I used it a fair amount and loved having the craziest looking pad," Clousdale said.
Although the controller is not in mint condition and has been used regularly over the years, this aspect only enhances its appeal. Hansons Auctions, responsible for the sale, believes that its charm and rarity will attract collectors.
David Wilson-Turner, head of Hansons' Toys and Video Games Auction, highlighted the growing interest in Nintendo memorabilia and vintage gaming items. He noted that both modern and retro Nintendo-related items are increasingly popular among gaming enthusiasts, per IGN.
Rising Popularity of Video Game Auctions
Video game auctions, especially those featuring Nintendo collectibles, are experiencing a surge in popularity. The market for rare and pristine gaming items continues to grow.
In 2021, a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. for the NES set a record by selling for $660,000. However, this record was quickly surpassed when a sealed copy of another NES game, The Legend of Zelda, fetched $870,000.
What made the 1987 Zelda game a holy grail for video game collectors is its "early production" status and incredible rarity.
In relation to the Zelda game, another title under the popular franchise "Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past" reached an auction price of $96,900. This classic SNES game is a must-have for retro collectors.
Back in October 2022, Tech Times reported that two ultra-rare NES games had been auctioned on eBay. The unreleased games on the retro console were very rare and there's a need to preserve them.
