The sixth generation of video game consoles is one of the best, comprising four legendary systems from four iconic companies: the Sega Dreamcast, the Sony PlayStation 2, the Nintendo GameCube, and the Microsoft Xbox. We’re offering a variety of games from these consoles in our November 9th Showcase Auction, plus some titles for more recent systems, including the Switch and Xbox One.
Here are seven lots from the sale that caught my attention:
Browse all the video games in the 2023 November 9 Sixth Generation and Beyond Video Games Showcase Auction #44220
1. Catherine: Full Body – VGA 95 Mint Sealed [Heart’s Desire Premium Edition], PS4 Atlus 2019 USA.
A couple of years ago, I did a video on my YouTube channel about climbing games, focusing on such popular retro titles as Donkey Kong and BurgerTime. A viewer suggested I try a more modern take on the genre and generously sent me a copy of Catherine: Full Body, which I had never played before. I loved the game’s sexy aesthetic and was impressed with its storyline and challenging, puzzle-focused gameplay. The special Heart’s Desire Premium Edition we’re offering is loaded with extras and housed in a gorgeous collector’s box.
2. Microsoft Xbox Console – VGA 85 NM+ Sealed [Halo Special Edition Green Console], Xbox Microsoft 2004 USA.
When the OG Xbox hit stores in November of 2001, I held off on purchasing one. I was intrigued by the fact that Microsoft had entered the console market, and I figured I would get one eventually, but I was plenty busy at the time with my PlayStation 2, which had been released the previous year. When the beautiful green Halo Special Edition version of the Xbox appeared at my local Target in 2004, I couldn’t resist grabbing one, and I finally experienced the awesomeness of Halo (among other fantastic Xbox exclusives), which quickly became my favorite first-person shooter of all time.
3. Night Trap: 25th Anniversary Edition – VGA 95 Mint Sealed [Blue Cover], Switch Limited Run 2018 USA.
While it seems tame today, Night Trap for the Sega CD was highly controversial upon release. In fact, the full-movie video game was cited, along with Mortal Kombat, in a series of congressional hearings in 1993. Senator Joe Lieberman, who led the hearing with Herb Kohl, claimed the game had gratuitous violence and promoted sexual aggression against women (hyperbolic nonsense on both fronts). The hearings helped lead to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which is still in use today. Rated T for Teen, the Switch version celebrates the 25th anniversary of the game and offers a host of new features, including deleted scenes, two documentaries, and more. We’ve got the Red Cover variant in this sale as well.
4. River City Girls – VGA 95+ Mint Uncirculated [Standard Cover], Switch Limited Run 2019 USA.
River City Ransom is one of those NES titles you still frequently hear about from gamers and collectors. It’s fairly hard to find, and it’s a great beat-’em-up that is deeper than most, thanks to its adventure and RPG elements. River City Girls for the Switch is a female-powered take on Ransom, enhanced with such flourishes as manga story panels, anime cutscenes, and a synth-pop soundtrack. Kuni and Riki have been captured, and it’s up to their girlfriends, Kyoko and Misako, to save the day. Gamers can go it alone or team up with a friend for couch co-op action as they punch, kick, and use weapons to battle an assortment of baddies.
5. The Simpsons Skateboarding – Wata 9.8 A+ Sealed, PS2 Electronic Arts 2002 USA.
What do you get when you cross Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and a certain long-running animated series? The Simpsons Skateboarding, one of the harder-to-find video games starring Bart, Lisa, Homer, Marge, and company. A PlayStation 2 exclusive, the game features story and dialogue authored by writers for the television series. Better yet, all the character voices were supplied by cast members. The player can control nine characters in all, each capable of 40 unique moves. Yes, you can do grabs and grinds as Chief Wiggum! What do you get for the Simpsons fan who has everything? The Simpsons Skateboarding for the PS2!
6. Star Wars – VGA 90+ NM+/MT Sealed [Classic Edition], Game Boy Limited Run 2019 USA.
Nintendo’s original Game Boy system is part of the fourth generation of consoles, but this special Limited Run version was released in 2019, so where does that place it on the timeline? We feel it belongs perfectly at home in our Sixth Generation and Beyond Showcase Auction, which is filled with modern gaming goodness, as well as some rereleased retro titles. For a Game Boy release, this is a relatively faithful adaptation of the original Star Wars. Han, Luke, and Leia are playable in side-scrolling, overhead, and shooting stages based on various scenes from the iconic film. What really sells us on this Limited Run release is the packaging, which evokes the old Kenner action figures. The translucent blue cart is the icing on the cake.
7. Super Mario Sunshine – VGA 90+ NM+/MT Sealed [Made in USA, Later Production], GameCube Nintendo 2002 USA.
Back in the day, the purple GameCube console I bought at Walmart came with Super Mario Sunshine. The game is sometimes thought of as the black sheep of the mainline Super Mario 3D platforming series, thanks in part to its unusual gameplay mechanic of spraying water to clean sludge, attack enemies, and more. Despite this designation, it was one of my son’s favorite games when he was growing up, and I enjoyed watching him play it. I got pretty far in the game myself and had a blast doing so. In fact, along with Resident Evil 4 and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, it’s one of my top picks for the platform.
The world’s largest collectibles auctioneer, Heritage Auctions was founded in 1976. Early in 2019, they began auctioning video games, everything from Atari to Xbox. While most of the games the company sells are factory sealed and/or graded, they also offer group lots of ungraded games and consoles. Heritage hosts weekly “Mini-Boss” auctions as well as themed Showcase and high-end Signature sales. You can check them out at HA.com.
