Ciao! I've discovered this limited just 2 weeks ago, finding a box of 6 (with actually 5 of them). In 1997-1998 Nintendo became the first sponsor of the Italian soccer team Fiorentina (that was in Serie A, top teams). This is what I knew. But I've never heard about a special numbered edition of the GBP, made to celebrate the contract. On the GB case there is a metal plate that tells the number (0009 of 3000 in this case) but over the shipping box (that tells which numbers are contained inside) the numbers are "from 008 to 013". This and the fact that I've never seen another one, make me think that actually less than 999 were made. Again, it's the first one that I've seen here in Italy. And many of you know that I check eBay and other places well enough. The package contains: -a small letter that explains the LE (made after the model distributed to the soccer players) -two games: Soccer and Super Mario Land -manuals -batteries (sealed) On the Gb there is a plate with number and the Fiorentina sign. An interesting LE for it's age (made in 1996) Here you have some pics. The other 4 that I have are still sealed.
Well, I should do a price check before selling (no idea, and these weren't cheap for me). Anyway, when I'll be ready to sell I'll post in the right forum Some additional informations: at that time Gig was the official distributor (now it's Nindendo of Italy) so the LE has been made by Gig and Nintendo. I don't remember any publicity on TV or magazines about this LE (I think they didn't publicize it). No prices on the boxes, this box has been found in a toy shop.
you can safely assure that it is quite rare for real, since that version costed so much more tan the normal that shops were carriying them for a long time....
sure that i do. they were around for a very brief time and only in tuscany from what i remember, and they didn't have much success because of the cost. you can consider them pretty rare expecially one in such a great shape. i think one of my friends that is a fanatic of fiorentina have one too... by the way i think that the number 001 was gifted to the player called batistuta, so it's not around... but don't quote me on this last one, for so much time have passed...
extremely beautiful piece. To me, the GBpocket (silver, no LED) is the sexiest GB ever, followed by the micro.
You should send a mail of it to this guy http://www.imgcab.com/gameboy/gameboy0.html He will definitely be happy ^^ Btw, I've seen this GiG logo pretty oftenly on super nes game boxes. Was it the italian nintendo distributor ?
Mail sent! In october 1992, italian distribution of Nintendo products passed from Mattel to Gig. It has been the main distributor untile the creation of Nintendo of Italy.
