Pokémon Fans Think a Long-Lost Game Has Finally Been Found After 20 Years
IGN • • technology
Key Points:
- A rare Pokémon game, Pokémon Fishing Contest DS, which was only available briefly in Japan in 2005 via Wi-Fi at special events, has resurfaced on eBay with a price tag of around $9,000.
- The game was originally distributed as a temporary download with no save functionality, making it thought lost until a Nintendo DS test cartridge containing its files appeared for sale.
- The test cartridge, typically used internally by Nintendo and developers for software testing, is being sold by a German seller with no detailed provenance, and it is unclear if it holds a playable version or just server-related code.
- The seller states the cartridge boots to a Japanese screen related to high-score communication but has not been fully tested for functionality or compatibility with newer consoles like the DSi or 3DS.
- Pokémon fans have urged that if purchased, the cartridge's contents should be shared publicly for preservation, though the listing has yet to receive any bids.
