The Most Expensive Limited Edition Gaming Consoles Of All Time

Highlights

• Limited edition consoles hold immeasurable value due to their rarity and distinctiveness, with some selling for substantial amounts of money.
• The gaming industry is surpassing the film sector in terms of growth and popularity, with gaming consoles and apps being the go-to source of entertainment.
• These expensive limited edition consoles are not just gaming equipment, but also pieces of art that elevate the gaming experience and serve as captivating decorative items.

These days, individuals from diverse backgrounds find pleasure in various forms of entertainment like watching movies or taking pictures ... yet, gaming reigns as the predominant and most popular source of amusement.

The gaming industry is experiencing tremendous growth, surpassing even the film sector. Nowadays, people turn to their gaming consoles for entertainment, when not enjoying games and apps on their phones and tablets.

However, a few vintage consoles and unique collectibles hold immeasurable value – since only one or two were ever manufactured, and they will never be available for retail or mass market purchase. Conversely, limited edition consoles occasionally hit the market enticing enthusiasts who willingly part with substantial amounts of money to acquire them.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the most expensive limited edition consoles ever sold.

8 Seaman Christmas Dreamcast

The Seaman Holiday Dreamcast was a unique console that hit the market in Japan in 1999. It sported a distinctive translucent red hue and included the popular virtual pet simulator game Seaman, where players interacted with a fish sporting a human-like face.

With only 850 units produced, they were initially sold for approximately $200 each. However, their rarity and distinctiveness have driven up their current value to around $2,500.

This limited edition console was part of Sega's revolutionary Dreamcast Direct service, allowing customers to conveniently order special editions online. Featuring an enchanting design adorned with snowflakes and stars on its surface, the game Seaman boasted voice recognition capabilities and artificial intelligence features developed by Yoot Saito.

Players took care of their virtual pet's needs through microphone interaction.

7 Cuphead Xbox One X

In celebration of Cuphead's highly anticipated launch event held in Los Angeles back in 2017, only four custom made, Cuphead inspired Xbox One X consoles were created and given away as coveted prizes during this special occasion – with a price tag of around $3000.

Combining a retro aesthetic with hand drawn animation reminiscent of vintage art styles, these limited edition consoles offered lucky winners not just an eye-catching white design adorned with colorful illustrations depicting memorable characters and scenes from the game – but also included a specially designed controller along with a copy of Cuphead itself.

6 Beatles Rock Band Xbox 360

An extraordinary creation by Microsoft and Harmonix as a tribute to The Beatles, this hand painted, Beatles themed Xbox 360 console was truly one-of-a-kind!

The limited edition masterpiece also had a unique guitar controller; it featured the famous emblems and signatures of the Fab Four, depicted in matte glossy black finish, and with a meticulously crafted illustration of the cover of the album Abbey Road.

One unit was sent to auction to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders, bringing in $3,600. However, a few fortunate gamers got another opportunity with an engaging Xbox Live contest, enabling them to win hand painted consoles for themselves.

5 Lara Croft Gem-Studded Xbox 360

Crafted as a tribute coinciding with the release of Tomb Raider: Underworld in 2008, this stunning game console celebrates iconic adventurer Lara Croft.

Dazzling gamers worldwide, it boasts an exceptional design embellished with an impressive array of precisely placed Swarovski crystals totaling approximately 43,000 pieces. The meticulous manufacturing process lasted six weeks, before this gem-encrusted masterpiece was given away as part of a Microsoft contest prize drawing.

With an estimated value soaring to around $11,000, the Lara Croft Gem-Studded Xbox 360 originated through the creative expertise of Crystal Roc — masters in crystal adornment craftsmanship. Radiating elegance against a black background is a sparkling portrait capturing Lara Croft's essence on its front side.

Every crystal was carefully affixed by hand, utilizing a special adhesive — the hallmark of Crystal Roc's dedication to precision expertise. The contest was open exclusively to Xbox Live members who either played the Tomb Raider: Underworld demo or downloaded the theme pack.

4 Gold PlayStation 4 - $13,600

Created by Gatti Luxury Lab ─ a famous company specializing in exquisite gold-plated creations ─ this lavish game console embodies luxury at its finest. The exclusive Gold PlayStation 4 is crafted from top grade 22 karat gold and weighs approximately 2.5 kilograms.

Only fifty pieces were ever fabricated, each fetching an astounding price tag of $13,600. This gaming masterpiece made its debut in 2015, aiming to cater to affluent gamers seeking an unparalleled experience only solid gold gear could provide.

Exuding sheer elegance with sleek lines and a lustrous appearance, this extraordinary console includes additional extravagant touches like a gold plated DualShock controller alongside an accompanying leather case. Marketed as more than just eye candy but also as powerful gaming machinery, Gatti Luxury Lab aimed to deliver both exceptional aesthetics and impeccable performance.

3 PlayStation 4 20th Anniversary Edition

To commemorate two decades since its inception, Sony launched a special edition PlayStation 4 that paid homage to their original PlayStation model.

Limited to just 12,300 global units at a retail price of $499 each, it became highly sought after by collectors worldwide. Some lucky winners acquired these exceptional editions through auctions or prizes ... but one unit fetched an astonishing $15,000 on eBay.

Released in December 2014, this unique console sported a nostalgic gray color scheme (mirroring its legendary predecessor) while accompanied by additional goodies like a matching DualShock controller, PlayStation Camera, a vertical stand, a headset, and individual numbered plates denoting production out of the limited run.

2 Atari Cosmos - $18,000

The highly coveted Atari Cosmos handheld console was a pioneering prototype that anticipated using holograms as its groundbreaking display technology. Initially slated for release in 1981, the project faced unfortunate cancelations due to technical constraints and lack of interest.

Only twelve units were ever successfully produced, rendering them incredibly valuable as collector's items today. In fact, one of these rarities fetched an astounding price of $18,000 at an auction held in 2012.

Jointly developed by manufacturing behemoths Atari and Mattel, this extraordinary device incorporated Hologram Illumination Module (HIM) technology to create mesmerizing projections through eight LED lights onto a transparent screen.

Although the console had nine games planned – including popular titles like Asteroids, Superman, and Haunted House – disappointment stemmed from static holograms that did not dynamically adapt with gameplay expectations set foe potential buyers.

1 Nintendo Wii Supreme

The pinnacle of lavishness in gaming comes with the Nintendo Wii Supreme.

This extravagant console – coated in gold and diamonds by famous British designer Stuart Hughes, as part of his exclusive Supreme collection – is considered one of the rarest consoles ever created. Crafted across six months and released in 2009 alongside gold iPhone and iPad editions, only three units were produced.

The console boasts an astounding 2,500 grams of 22-karat gold along with seventy-eight 0.25-carat diamonds on its sparkling surface. Even the Wii remote and nunchuck come embellished with precious gems; however, this console costs around $433,000.

Distinctive aspects of these products include edition releases, artisanal embellishments, nostalgic influences and paying tribute to gaming titles. Over time gaming continues to evolve and captivate peoples interest. It reminds us of the blend, between popular culture and how it creates extraordinary works that go beyond mere "entertainment."

Apart from being used for gaming, these consoles hold value as items or pieces of art. Made by notable designers from high quality materials, these consoles elevate gaming equipment from everyday entertainment units to captivating pieces of decor.

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