Believe it or not, Sukeban Shachou Rena is actually a super rare Wii game that collectors are dying to get their hands on

 

When talking about one of Nintendo’s most successful consoles, we have to look back at the era of the N64 and GameCube—a time when Nintendo seemed to have lost its way. Back then, they were struggling to compete with Sony in a graphics arms race, which arguably hindered their ability to develop games that truly captivated fans.

Everything changed with the birth of the Wii. It shifted the trajectory of the video game world. The Nintendo Wii didn't boast stunning graphics or high-end AAA titles, as the hardware simply couldn't support them. However, it had something other consoles lacked: a unique, innovative sense of fun that drew people in

Let’s get to know this grumpy-faced kitty game: Sukeban Shachou Rena, or as it translates to Thai, Rena: The Biker Gang President. This action game was a Japan-exclusive release where you play as an employee at a company called Cat Queen, Inc. The twist? The CEO of this company is Rena, the stoic-faced cat featured on the game cover. Your job is to keep President Rena satisfied by completing various mini-games using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in tandem. The gameplay focuses on cute, lighthearted humor designed specifically to lure in cat lovers and turn them into loyal fans

What’s truly fascinating is the game's ending. Players are shown photos of the real-life Rena, the cat who inspired the character, followed by a message from the developers revealing that 'Rena passed away in 2009.' The developers created this game as a tribute and a labor of love for her.

Unfortunately, very few people ever discovered this touching backstory. At the time of its release, the reception was the exact opposite of what they hoped for. With its mediocre gameplay and stiff, dated graphics, the game failed to capture the interest of both gamers and cat lovers alike. It received a meager score of 22 out of 40 from Famitsu (broken down as 5/6/6/5). While critics praised the game’s quirky sense of humor and story, they panned it for its lack of content and uninspiring mini-games

But here is the most interesting part of why Sukeban Shachou Rena has captured the attention of fans: it isn't just rare because of a limited production run—it’s rare because almost nobody bought it when it first hit the shelves. This resulted in very few copies of the game circulating in the market. Combined with what was likely a small initial print run to begin with, the game became an instant rarity.

Currently, a used copy of Sukeban Shachou Rena sells for around $699 , while a brand-new, factory-sealed copy can go for as much as $1,399 . If you’re a serious collector, this is definitely one to track down!