4 retro handhelds that could make you rich if you have them

Retro handheld consoles do carry a special value in all our hearts. They remind us of a time when gaming was so much simpler, and the ability to carry a console with you that let you game while traveling, during the commute, or lunch breaks at college was incredible. Today, there's no doubt that we can very well emulate all of those consoles on something as simple as a $100 phone, but nothing beats the magic of gaming on an old handheld console, the way it was meant to be played.

Sadly, some of them now carry literal value, too. Sure, you can always get a Nintendo DS Lite or a Game Boy off the internet today easily, but some handhelds have become very rare. Be it through limited runs back in the day or sheer collector demand, these handhelds are not as cheap as you might think they would be to get your hands on.

Game Boy Micro Pokémon Center Japan — 2005

A rare Pikachu silhouette decal sets it apart

Nintendo came out with the Game Boy Micro in 2005, and they sold it for about the same price as a Nintendo DS. This was meant to be a redesigned version of the unforgettable Game Boy Advance, while being smaller and a little more tech-forward-looking. One of its biggest drawbacks, however, was that it wasn't backwards-compatible with GB and GBC games like the Game Boy Advance was. As such, it never sold over 2.5 million units worldwide — well below Nintendo's expectations.

Looking back, though, the Game Boy Micro really does look 'cool', and its tiny form factor, metallic faceplates, and changeable covers only add to that aesthetic. There's a particular version of the Game Boy Micro, however, that is extremely valuable, which is the 'Pokémon Center Japan' edition. In fact, they even released it for a limited run at the Pokémon Center in New York. With its signature red wrap, it's a tiny Pikachu decal right beside the screen that makes this Game Boy Micro so valuable. This retro console may have sold for $100 when it came out, but look up the Pokémon Center version on eBay, and you'd need upwards of $1400 at best to get your hands on it, with PriceCharting quoting even higher listings. For Pokémon fans, however, it remains a collector's item that will always be on their wishlist for when they win the lotto.

Nintendo DSi XL Pokémon World Championship Edition — 2010

A rare token given out to Pokémon masters

The final model in the Nintendo DS family, the DSi XL was the biggest and heaviest of all the DS models, with the biggest screen and a stylus to boot. Discontinued in 2014, the DSi XL is fairly easy to grab today, but there's a version so rare it will make your eyes water, and your wallet shiver.

The Nintendo DSi XL Pokemon World Championships edition is a collector's unicorn, with an Epic rarity score on ConsoleVariations. Sent exclusively to top competitors at the 2010 Pokemon World Championships, this customized DSi XL was a bright yellow, iwth a hula-dancing Pikachu shell and stylus. It's only made more valuable by the fact that it was never for sale in the first place, and today? Oh boy, get ready to sell an arm and a leg, because sealed copies are rarely ever under the $10,000-mark. Even new open-box models are quoted at $7000 or more, and the worst part if you're looking to collect it? There are very few listings of its in the first place, since only 112 copies were made.

Sega Game Gear (White) — 1990

When Gandalf became the White Wizard

Sega's Game Gear may never have been able to compete neck-and-neck with Nintendo's Game Boy, but its place in the handheld hall of fame is well-deserved regardless. You can get the regular variant on eBay for anywhere between $150 and $500, depending on the color and usage. But there is one Japan-exclusive version that is extremely rare. It's like the moment Gandalf became the White Wizard, but for the Game Gear. Sega created a limited-run white variant and bundled it up with a white TV tuner.

Only 10,000 units were ever made, and honestly, it looked so cool on the shelves. Now, it's been gaining traction on collectors' forums, and this rare, stylish Game Gear handheld is pretty much irresistible to anyone who loves gaming rarities. Rare according to Console Variations, the white Game Gear comes with its own briefcase, and can go up to $600 or more on eBay.

iQue Game Boy Advance SP Mario 20th Anniversary Edition — 2005

Everyone's favorite Italian plumber

iQue released a special Game Boy Advance SP in late 2005 for the Chinese market, and it was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of everyone's favorite Italian plumber, Mario. Available in both red and white variations, these handhelds featured a Mario laurel wreath emblem, which genuinely makes it feel so much more special today.

At the time of launch, this rare Game Boy Advance SP may have sold for about $160, but today? It has taken off on the collector market, with listings showing prices hovering around $3400 for near mint units. This makes the Mario 20th Anniversary Edition of the Game Boy Advance one of the most valuable handheld gems in modern retro collecting, and rightly so. After all, it checks every box on the value list, doesn't it? It had a limited run, it had regional exclusivity, and it was brand-tied to Mario, and it all came together to make a sleek and beautiful handheld.

Scarcity and love has always created value

If you decide to keep one safe, make sure you take the batteries out.

It's funny how the smallest handhelds can later go on to become the rarest treasures. Scarcity and love have always created value, and these consoles and their current value on the collector's market today prove just that. There are plenty of other rare handhelds that you'd want to get your hands on before realizing that they cost an eye-watering amount, like other Pokemon-specific Game Boy Advance units sold at Pokémon centers, or contest rewards during game promotion runs.

If you've got one tucked away, you have more than just a single device in the drawer. Instead, you've got stories, nostalgia, and collector fever. Once these pocket relics disappear, they really do vanish for good, so in the annals of retro gaming, you might just have a place in the hall of fame if you decide to keep one safe. Just make sure you take the lithium batteries out.