Pokemon Red prototype cartridge sells for $101,000 at Goldin auction
The unbranded development board drew 20 bids and cost the winner $123,220 after fees, with PSA confirming it as a prototype.
A prototype copy of Pokemon Red sold for a final winning bid of $101,000 at a Goldin auction on October 25, 2026. The sale drew 20 bids, and the total cost to the buyer reached $123,220 once fees were added, according to gamerant.com.
The cartridge carries no official branding or external packaging, leaving its internal components visible. PSA authenticated the item and confirmed it is a prototype.
A scan of the internal data found no differences between the game data and the standard US release, apart from minor header data differences that were deemed inconsequential. Part of the cartridge's data could not be accessed because of an equipment failure.
No other instances of this particular development board have been documented.
Earlier prototype sales
Prototype hardware has drawn large sums before. A prototype Nintendo PlayStation console once sold for $360,000 at auction, and a non-functioning shell of a Nintendo GameCube displayed at SpaceWorld went on sale for $100,000. A prototype SpaceWorld Game Boy Advance, by contrast, was sold alongside other standard consoles and games for $700.
Quick answers
How much did the Pokemon Red prototype sell for?
The winning bid was $101,000, and the total cost after fees came to $123,220.
When did the auction take place?
Goldin held the auction on October 25, 2026, and it received 20 bids.
Is the cartridge confirmed as a prototype?
Yes, PSA authentication confirmed the cartridge is a prototype.