A long-lost Pokémon game briefly available in Japan 20 years ago appears to have popped up on eBay, priced at around $9,000.
Pokémon Fishing Contest DS was only playable at special events and from Pokémon Center locations in Japan for a few months back in 2005, as part of a high score contest.
Like other Nintendo DS Download Play titles, the game was received via Wi-Fi and only lasted on your own handheld until you powered it down. Oh, and you could only download it at participating venues from May to August 2005.
With no way to save the experience, the software was subsequently thought lost — until now, as what looks to be a Nintendo DS test cartridge holding files for the game is up for sale — priced €7,999 (around $9,145).
ポケパーク釣り大会のソフトがebayに出てる！https://t.co/4MtM4R0lZA
2005年頃にイベントで配信されたソフト。https://t.co/p1SiRR8NyS pic.twitter.com/YfJKkrZdoW
While the pictured cartridge appears bulky, this is indeed a Nintendo DS test cartridge, whose upper part protrudes from the console. These devices were typically never seen in public, and instead reserved for Nintendo and third-party DS game developers to test work-in-progress software builds. Rarely, these cartridges were sent out to media to preview in-development games, though would need to be returned after.
It's unclear where this particular cartridge has originated. The eBay listing appears to come from a German seller who has previously focused on selling Pokémon plushies. There are also questions over whether this test cartridge contains a playable version of Pokémon Fishing Contest DS, or server code meant to collect its high scores from players.
Long considered lost media, the software for the Poképark Fishing Tournament has become available for sale…
Hopefully it will fall into the hands of someone who wishes to preserve it so everyone else can experience it once more.
Fingers crossed that some hoarder doesn’t buy it… https://t.co/hCluPlfAqs pic.twitter.com/88dw2JiWpx
"This listing is for the exact physical development/test cartridge shown in the photos," the seller states. "Acquired as part of a private lot, no further history or provenance documentation is available. It's in working condition and when tested on a retail Nintendo DS, it boots to a Japanese-language screen indicating a high-score ranking communication program. DSi and 3DS compatibility is not confirmed. No additional functionality has been tested or is guaranteed. Sold strictly as a physical item as-is."
Responding to the sale on social media, several fans have suggested that the cartridge should be bought by someone willing to share its contents with the wider Pokémon community as a matter of game preservation. Alas, at the time of writing, the eBay listing is currently yet to attract any bids.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
