30: What is the Elemental Gearbolt Assassin Case? The PS1’s Holy Grail
In the hierarchy of PlayStation collecting, there are rare games, there are expensive games, and then there is the Elemental Gearbolt Assassin Case. While many collectors brag about owning Suikoden II, this legendary item exists in a stratosphere of its own. It isn’t just a game; it is a piece of industrial art that represents the absolute peak of 90s “special edition” vanity.
If you see a silver briefcase with the PlayStation logo at a garage sale, don’t walk—run. You might have just found a five-figure piece of gaming history.
A Prize for the Elite
The Assassin Case was never sold in stores. It was created by Working Designs as a prize for the “Elemental Gearbolt Assassin Tournament” held at E3 1998. Only **40 to 50** of these cases were ever produced, and they were awarded to the top players of the light-gun shooter Elemental Gearbolt.
What’s Inside the Case?
The allure of the Assassin Case comes from its absurdly high-quality contents. Working Designs was known for “over-the-top” packaging, but this was their masterpiece. The set includes:
- A Gold-Plated GunCon: A fully functional PlayStation Light Gun plated in shimmering gold.
- The “Assassin” Version of the Game: A unique print of Elemental Gearbolt featuring distinct disc art.
- A Gold Memory Card: A standard PS1 memory card finished in gold to match the gun.
- Custom Foam-Lined Briefcase: A heavy-duty aluminum briefcase designed to keep the “tools of the trade” safe.
The Market Value: 2026 Reality
Because so few exist, they almost never appear on the open market. When they do, they are often the centerpiece of high-end heritage auctions.
| Item Condition | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Loose Gold GunCon | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Full Assassin Case (Incomplete) | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Full Assassin Case (Complete/Mint) | $25,000 – $40,000+ |
Why It Matters Today
The Assassin Case is the ultimate symbol of the “Workings Designs Era”—a time when a small publisher could disrupt the industry with pure passion and extravagant physical releases. For collectors, owning one is the equivalent of owning a T206 Honus Wagner baseball card. It is the definitive proof of a world-class collection.
Assassin Case FAQ
Can you actually play with the gold gun?
Yes. The hardware inside is a standard Namco GunCon. However, given its value and the fact that gold plating can wear down with skin contact, almost every owner keeps it strictly for display.
Are there fakes?
Some fans have created “tribute” cases by spray-painting standard GunCons. An authentic Assassin Case gun has a specific weight and a professional-grade metallic finish that spray paint cannot replicate. The unique disc ID and the specific branding on the briefcase are also key authenticity markers.
Does the game work on modern TVs?
As we discussed in Article 1, light guns like the GunCon require a CRT television to function. If you try to use this $30,000 set on a modern 4K OLED, it will not track your shots.