Julian Domanski, a photographer, recently discovered that PlayStation co-creator Ken Kutaragi still possesses an incredibly rare Nintendo PlayStation prototype. Domanski shared detailed photos of the elusive console on X, catching the attention of enthusiasts worldwide.

“I never imagined I’d actually handle something so exceptionally rare, yet today I had the chance to examine a Nintendo PlayStation,” Domanski wrote.

“We previously believed the last existing model sold at auction for $300,000. Turns out SonyCEA’s former CEO Ken Kutaragi still has one hidden away in his closet. Kutaragi truly is a remarkable figure.”

It’s believed that only about 200 Nintendo PlayStation prototypes were produced in the early ’90s during a brief collaboration between Sony and Nintendo.

The PlayStation initially started as a CD-ROM add-on intended to enhance the Super Nintendo’s capabilities with improved processing power and faster speeds. However, after the partnership dissolved, Sony proceeded independently, evolving the concept into a standalone PlayStation console.

In 2020, a Nintendo PlayStation prototype, previously considered the sole surviving unit, sold at auction for $360,000, including a $60,000 buyer’s premium.

Based on Domanski’s photographs, Kutaragi’s prototype represents an earlier or alternate stage in development, as evidenced by slight variations from the previously auctioned unit.

Notably, Kutaragi’s Nintendo PlayStation features a vivid blue PlayStation logo rather than the subdued version seen on the model auctioned in 2020. Additionally, its Eject and Reset buttons have labels printed directly on them, unlike the auctioned model, which has labels positioned above the buttons.

Moreover, Kutaragi’s prototype appears significantly better preserved, displaying minimal signs of the yellowing commonly found on consoles of that era.

Source: VideoGameChronicles