Rare Pokémon game that deletes itself found 20 years later

Key Points:

• PokéPark Fishing Contest DS, a rare 2005 Pokémon game playable via Nintendo DS's Download Play feature, was originally accessible only temporarily at a Japanese theme park and select events, making it highly obscure and difficult to obtain.
• An original PokéPark cartridge recently surfaced on eBay with bids surpassing $9,000, sparking interest among preservationists who aim to secure it to prevent loss to private collectors.
• The game involved fishing for Pokémon, with scores based on size, level, and rarity, and allowed score submissions at Pokémon Center locations in Japan; however, the cartridge's full content is uncertain and may only track and submit scores.
• A fan-made recreation of PokéPark was released in 2021 with enhanced visuals and ports to newer consoles, but the original ROMs remain unavailable publicly, highlighting challenges in preserving this unique title.
• Preservationists hope to raise funds to acquire the cartridge before the eBay auction closes, but concerns remain about the cartridge's actual functionality and completeness.