You’ll purchase it at a excessive value

The Resident Evil 4 chainsaw controller is without doubt one of the greatest controllers ever made. Wait, did I say greatest? Good, as a result of I meant greatest.

As a fast historical past lesson for many who want it, the chainsaw controller was a novelty peripheral manufactured by NubyTech that launched alongside the unique Resident Evil 4 in 2005. It retailed for $49.99 and, for all intents and functions, was only a weirdly formed GameCube controller. Regardless of some PR jargon explaining how the chainsaw controller will enhance your Resident Evil 4 expertise (it didn’t), this factor primarily existed for collectors to show as a conceit merchandise.

When you’d prefer to study extra about this curiosity, I like to recommend you take a look at the superb “Cease Skeletons From Preventing” video concerning the topic.

As you may anticipate, it’s that collectibles market that places the chainsaw controller within the information immediately. For years, the controller has been a collector’s merchandise that often sells for 3 or 4 instances its authentic asking value. Nevertheless, with the launch of the Resident Evil 4 remake, demand for the controller has massively spiked for anybody with the money and guts to purchase it. Listings for the peripheral have jumped to over $300 for even unfastened copies, with sealed-in-box controllers breaking the $1,000 barrier.

Information tales like these usually conflate worth with asking value. In spite of everything, a vendor providing an merchandise at a premium doesn’t essentially imply that’s the market worth. Nevertheless, these controllers are literally promoting at these costs, indicating that these are, certainly, price that a lot in the marketplace.

Now that’s a weapon

It’s price noting that these numbers conflate the GameCube controller with the PS2 variant that later launched with its respective Resident Evil 4 port. They’re comparable in worth, and each primarily exist as show items, however the distinction needs to be made regardless.

Moreover, it all the time helps to place “worth” into context. Clearly, the discharge of the Resident Evil 4 remake has generated curiosity within the authentic sport and its respective memorabilia. Extra eyes on the novelty controller means extra collectors are keen to place their uncommon issues on sale, stranger, particularly if they’ll flip a wholesome revenue. Does this imply that somebody shopping for the chainsaw controller for $1,000 immediately will promote it for $2,000 in a decade? Most likely not, however what do I do know? The remake of the Resident Evil 4 remake might be launching then, rending my evaluation out of date.

Both approach, it’s spectacular that this hilariously foolish controller remains to be newsworthy even 18 years after its launch. Like the unique Resident Evil 4, it’s that excellent midpoint between camp and sincerity that makes it so dang endearing. I’d get one myself, however truthfully, what do I want that factor for? Going trying to find an elephant?