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This was published 5 years ago

Gold-plated Nintendo Wii console made for Queen Elizabeth goes for sale on eBay for $387,000

CNN

Playing video games just got a whole lot posher, as a gold-plated Nintendo Wii made for Queen Elizabeth goes on sale on eBay.

But you might need to part with US$300,000 ($387K) if you want to game in a style fit for a royal.

The special console was made in 2009 by now-defunct hardware brand THQ, the seller, Donny Fillerup, told CNN Thursday.

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Queen Elizabeth II attends day 1 of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park on May 9, 2018 in Windsor, England.

Her Majesty isn't a big gamer so Buckingham Palace rejected the gold-plated Nintendo Wii console (Photo: May 2018) Getty

Now, it's going on sale on eBay with an asking price of US$300,000 (387K) Donny Fillerup/consolevariations.com

It was sent to the Queen as a marketing stunt but was rejected by her staff and returned to the company, he said.

THQ later filed for bankruptcy and its hardware stock, including the gold Wii, were bought by a private buyer, added Fillerup, who acquired the console in 2017.

RELATED: Queen Elizabeth makes first official appearance since Prince Philip's funeral

Experts have valued the console at up to $1 million, said Fillerup, 32, who lives in the Netherlands and runs online console database Console Variations.

"I don't want to be that greedy," Fillerup said. He declined to tell CNN how much he paid for the console four years ago.

So far Fillerup has received several five-digit offers, but he is in no rush to sell.

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A gold-plated Nintendo Wii made for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is going on sale on eBay. The seller, Donny Fillerup, is a console collector based in the Netherlands. Donny Fillerup/consolevariations.com

"I want to get myself my own place," he said, adding that he will be able to buy a small apartment if the console sells for the list price.

The console works and is in generally good condition, according to the listing.

"The Wii-mote has some wear on the bottom," the listing reads. "My guess is that it was actually used at one point."

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Potential buyers who want to check the provenance may be reassured by documents and emails, according to the listing.

The story of the gold Wii was widely covered by media outlets in May 2009 when THQ gave it to the Queen.

Gold-plated Nintendo Wii listing on eBay

The console works and is in generally good condition, according to the listing on eBay eBay

It was thought to have disappeared but reemerged into the public eye in 2019 with a spate of coverage in the gaming media.

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Fillerup told CNN that the Wii is one of 350 consoles in his collection, which includes rare Nintendo prototypes.

Nintendo launched its Wii console in 2006 and sold more than 101 million units, the company said. The Wii was discontinued in 2013.

But it seems there may still be other gold-plated Wiis in existence.

In 2014, a London-based company, Goldgenie, was offering to cover everyday items, such as games consoles, bicycles and golf clubs, in 24-karat gold.

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Covering your Wii in gold would have set you back $500 and taken about a week. The company remains in operation.

Nintendo launched its Wii console in 2006 and sold more than 101 million units, the company said. The Wii was discontinued in 2013 Donny Fillerup/consolevariations.com

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