Gaming News
PokéPark: Tsuri Taikai, the self-deleting Pokémon game, found playable after 20 years
Developing
Photo: kotaku.com (from the cited article) All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 3 events from Jul 28, 2026 to Nov 14, 2026, drawn from 4 sources.
“Preserving a game like this means so much to me,”
via kotaku.com
Our take
The confirmation that Daniel Quadri holds a playable copy of PokéPark: Tsuri Taikai resolves a 20-year mystery regarding the self-deleting 2005 DS title. While the July 2026 eBay listing raised concerns about hoarding, Quadri’s stated intent to share the file shifts the narrative from private ownership to community preservation.
Background
PokéPark: Tsuri Taikai, also known as PokéPark: Fishing Rally, was a mini-game available exclusively on the Nintendo DS to in-person attendees of a pop-up theme park in Nagoya during the summer of 2005. Similar to a stamp rally, players could traverse the attraction and catch water-based pocket monsters.
The game could only be downloaded through the DS’ local wifi features and was later made available at certain Pokémon Center stores throughout Japan.
The game remained elusive because it was programmed to self-destruct, deleting itself after a 12-hour period or once the handheld was reset. Demo builds and eBay listings have emerged over the years, but the software was long considered lost media. In July 2026, a Nintendo DS test cartridge holding files for the game appeared on eBay, priced at €7,999, sparking debate over preservation versus hoarding.
The timeline
-
Test cartridge listed on eBay
According to a tweet by ティラミス (@Tiramisu090401), software for the PokéPark Fishing Tournament appeared on eBay. The listing described a physical development/test cartridge in working condition that boots to a Japanese-language high-score ranking communication program.[2]
-
Professor Rex called for preservation
Professor Rex (@RexProfessor) reportedly posted on social media that the software had become available for sale, expressing hope that it would fall into the hands of someone willing to preserve it so everyone else could experience it once more.[2]
-
Quadri confirmed playable copy
Daniel Quadri reportedly confirmed to IGN that he has come into possession of the only known playable copy of PokéPark: Tsuri Taikai. He allegedly stated that preserving the game means a lot to him and that he can recreate the 2005 experience today with the cartridge in his DS.[1]
Our read of the evidence
Mostly unverified. All three key events — the eBay test‑cartridge listing, Professor Rex’s preservation call, and Quadri’s claim of a playable copy — are only documented in secondary reports from IGN and Kotaku, with no primary‑source confirmation. Only Quadri’s statement appears on the record via Kotaku, while the other claims rely solely on IGN’s coverage, and independent verification of the cartridge’s authenticity and preservation status remains pending.
Our rating counts evidence, not opinions about anyone: events confirmed by a primary source (the person's own post, their official site, a court or government record) weigh most, then how many independent outlets report the story.
Frequently asked
Is the self-deleting Pokémon game playable now?
Yes, according to IGN, Daniel Quadri has the only known playable copy. He confirmed he can turn on his DS and play the game, reeling in a Gyarados.
Why did the Pokémon fishing game disappear?
The game was programmed to self-destruct, deleting itself after a 12-hour period or once the handheld was reset. It was only available to download locally at a 2005 theme park.
What was the eBay listing for?
The listing was for a physical development/test cartridge for the game, priced at €7,999. The seller stated it boots to a Japanese-language screen indicating a high-score ranking communication program.
Who is Daniel Quadri?
Daniel Quadri is a collector who confirmed to IGN that he possesses the only known playable copy of the game. He expressed interest in helping preserve the file by sharing it to other DS systems.
Can the game be saved on a DS?
No, according to IGN, the game was received via Wi-Fi and only lasted on the handheld until it was powered down. It had no way to save the experience.
More related drama (4)
Sources (4)
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 3 dated events from 4 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “PokéPark: Tsuri Taikai, the self-deleting Pokémon game, found playable after 20 years.”
GenZHype, 14 November 2026,
https://genzhype.com/gaming/pok-park-tsuri-taikai-the-self-deleting-pok-mon-game-found-playable-after-20-years/.