A rare Pokémon game from 2005, PokéPark Fishing Contest DS, has recently resurfaced, igniting interest among collectors and preservationists. This unique title, originally accessible only through Nintendo DS's Download Play feature, was designed with a limited playtime and self-destructing characteristics, making it exceptionally scarce.
The game tasked players with hooking Pokémon, with scores based on the creature's size, level, and rarity. These scores could be submitted at Pokémon Center locations in Japan. A similar concept was later explored in the 2017 mobile game Pokémon: Magikarp Jump.
PokéPark Fishing Contest DS was initially only playable at a Japanese theme park for a six-month period. Participants who caught a digital fish were eligible for scratch card rewards. The game's accessibility was further restricted by a 12-hour playtime limit and an automatic reset upon turning off the DS. Despite its transient nature, a cartridge for the game has appeared on eBay, attracting bids exceeding $9,000.
In 2021, a fan recreation of PokéPark was developed by Manuel Matesanz, who also ported it to the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, featuring enhanced visual fidelity. However, ROMs of the original game are not publicly archived.
Preservationists are now attempting to raise funds to acquire the resurfaced cartridge, hoping to outbid private collectors. There is uncertainty, however, whether the cartridge contains the full game or was merely used for score tracking and submission purposes. The eBay listing is still active, with two days remaining before it closes.