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10 Of Our Favorite Limited Edition Consoles And Handhelds
Limited edition madness has hit the game industry yet again. This time, Nintendo is causing a fuss among gamers with the sought-after Majora’s Mask Limited Edition New 3DS XL. After selling out minutes following its reveal on the first Nintendo Direct of 2015, the special-edition New 3DS XL has popped in and out of availability seemingly at random, only to sell out all over again in minutes.
While several of us have been trying to hunt down our own personal Majora’s Mask New 3DS XLs, we started thinking back to some of our favorite limited edition consoles and handhelds. Sure, some now go for an absurd amount of money online, but other, more common ones stick out in our minds as well. Nintendo has no doubt mastered the art of the limited-edition gaming device, which is why its creations are featured so prominently on this list.
These are some of our favorite limited-edition gaming systems to see release on U.S. shores. If we missed any of your favorites, let us know!
Pikachu Nintendo 64 - 2000
As far as limited-edition systems go, the Pikachu Nintendo 64 Set is far from subtle. Featuring a bright blue console and Pokémon-branded controller, as well as a giant 3D Pikachu on the face of the N64 itself, this is a dream come true for Pokémon fans. In addition, the original bundle came with Hey You, Pikachu!, a microphone- and voice-recognition unit for gameplay, and a special-edition talking watch. Since the package was exclusive to one retailer, it’s difficult to obtain now and fetches high prices online.
Sega Sports Dreamcast – 2000
While Japan and Europe found themselves swimming in special color variations of Sega’s final console, the U.S. selection was decidedly more limited. The one that sticks out most is a black model that originally came bundled with NFL 2K and NBA 2K. The Sega Sports Dreamcast not only looks great on its own, but for longtime Sega fans it acts as a visual callback to the earlier Sega consoles.
Game Boy Advance SP Classic NES Edition - 2004
Nintendo knows that it can always win gamers over using the nostalgia factor, and the Game Boy Advance SP Classic NES Edition is a shining example of the Big N taking full advantage of it. Featuring the same color scheme as the iconic original NES controller, fans ate this special edition up when it released in 2004. This version has proven so popular that Nintendo released a 3DS XL with a similar theme in 2014.
Game Boy Micro 20th Anniversary Edition – 2005
The Game Boy Micro is perhaps the ultimate gaming device when looking solely at the portability factor. The form may be a bit on the small side for those of us with larger hands, but the Game Boy Micro 20th Anniversary Edition is too awesome to ignore. The red and gold color scheme is modeled after Famicom controllers, making it the perfect trip down memory lane for any diehard Nintendo fan.
Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition PlayStation 3 – 2008
In 2008, PlayStation and Konami partnered to release two special Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundles. The first was a bundle containing the stock black 80GB PS3 with Metal Gear Solid 4 for $500, but that’s boring compared to the rest of the list. The limited-edition bundle upped the price to $600, and while it brought players the inferior 40GB model, the exclusive gunmetal-gray color of this version drove fans to snatch this up. With only several thousand units released worldwide, the gunmetal-gray PS3 stands out as one of the rarest systems of last generation.
Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Edition 3DS - 2011
Whether you’re talking about the gold cartridges from the NES days or the Majora’s Mask New 3DS XL that inspired this list, the Zelda franchise has produced collectibles throughout its history. However, that Majora’s Mask handheld isn’t the first Zelda-themed 3DS to drive fans crazy. The Ocarina of Time 3DS Bundle features a sleek black design with gold trim and the Hylian Crest on the outer shell. While both Ocarina of Time 3D and the limited edition 3DS released alongside it have become rare, the Zelda: A Link Between Worlds 3DS XL has not reached that level yet. It will be interesting to see where the Majora’s Mask New 3DS XL lands on the rarity chart once it releases next month.
Gears of War 3 Limited Edition Xbox 360 – 2011
The Gears of War franchise garnered much fanfare during its run on Xbox 360, so it only makes sense that the final title in the original trilogy has a console dedicated to it. The console is a bit over-the-top, featuring a blood-red console with the iconic skull logo emblazoned in black, but it’s visually faithful to the series it pays tribute to. The matching controller ties the bundle together nicely, making this a coveted package for Gears of War fans everywhere.
Limited Edition Kinect Star Wars Xbox 360 – 2012
It’s a shame the game that the limited-edition Kinect Star Wars Xbox 360 celebrates isn’t better, because the console itself is awesome. The model features R2-D2’s design and a controller matching C-3PO, which would be enough for most Star Wars fans. The design team didn’t stop there, though, as this Xbox 360 model also makes special R2-D2 sounds, making the temptation that much greater for fans of the sci-fi franchise.
Pokémon X/Y 3DS XL – 2013
The first Pokémon game for 3DS brought with it one of the more awesome 3DS variants. When released in 2013, the Pokémon X/Y 3DS XL was available in red and blue to represent the two different versions of the game, and features striking artwork of the games’ two cover monsters, Yveltal and Xerneas. Despite how great this 3DS looks, it’s not the most sought-after Pokémon-themed 3DS, as the special Pikachu edition 3DS XL garners the most attention from prospective Pokémon Masters.
20th Anniversary PlayStation 4 - 2014
In celebrating the 20th anniversary of PlayStation, Sony released an ultra-limited version of PlayStation 4 with the color scheme of the original PlayStation. The PS4 looks great in those colors, and each limited edition console is individually numbered. The problem is that this edition was limited to 12,300 units, making it extremely difficult to obtain.
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