The Golden Wii, the gaming console designed specifically for Queen Elizabeth II, has just been spotted on eBay.
The collector who posted the eBay listing for the 24-karat gaming console seeks $300,000 and assures that it is fully operational with some signs of cosmetic wear and actual use.
The listing added that due to the nature of the product, a special packaging company would handle the shipping and that it would be fully insured and sent with the highest priority.
In addition, the current owner of the Golden Wii would throw in framed documents and emails to prove its authenticity and a separate authentication from experts.
Posted by Donny Fillerup on Friday, 30 June 2017
The Tale of the Golden Wii
The Golden Wii came into existence in May 2009, when entertainment software developer and publisher THQ commissioned it as a marketing stunt meant to promote the BIG Family Games line.
THQ decided to have the Golden Wii commissioned after seeing the report from a UK tabloid claiming that Queen Elizabeth loves to play Wii Bowling.
According to Kotaku’s May 2009 report, THQ sent the 24-karat Nintendo Wii to Buckingham Palace but failed to mention if it had ever reached the Queen herself.
(Photo : Ralph Orlowski/Getty Images)
Margarete Roeder (L), standing next to student Markus Deindl plays Nintendo Wii bowling at the Malhaelden seniors home on August 4, 2008 in Pforzheim, Germany.
Fast-forward in January 2019, People Make Games investigated what happened to the Golden Wii after it was widely publicized and found that a private collector named Donny Fillerup from the Netherlands got a hold of it.
Fillerup, founder of Consolevariations.com, explained that he could get the Golden Wii through contact after THQ filed for bankruptcy in 2011.
He is also responsible for the eBay listing and said in an interview with Consolevariations.com on Apr. 28 that he hopes to buy a home and figures the Golden Wii could finance it.
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The Golden Wii: How Much Is It Really Worth?
The interview with Fillerup revealed that “some top-end gaming industry people” told him that the Golden Wii is worth $1 Million, but he thought it is not reasonable.
He shared that a friend of his who works at Nintendo told him to sell the Golden Wii “for a price which is so high it would never find a buyer.”
“He even advised me to start with $500,000,” he said.
However, Fillerup decided to be reasonable about the price and came up with $300,000 as he did not need more.
Good morning and Happy #Wiikend to all!
In honor of the #RoyalWedding, we’re starting the day with this photo of the golden #Wii preserved to the queen by @THQgames to promote their upcoming release of #BigFamilyGames at the time.#RT if you love this PR stunt as much as we do! pic.twitter.com/hxaNbtNGCv
— Nintendo Collection (@nintencollect) May 19, 2018
“My family was never very healthy financially, so money was always needed,” he said. “I never wanted to sell it; however, I was always curious how much someone could give for it.”
However, he teased that the Golden Wii would be part of an upcoming documentary, which may boost its popularity once again.
Should the Golden Wii get sold at a price, Fillerup asks, this would become one of the Nintendo consoles sold above the $300,000 mark.
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Written by Leigh Mercer
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