Pokémon Collector Discovers Rare Playable Copy of PokéPark Fishing Rally DS 20 Years After the Limited-Time Event It Was Made For

In July 2026, a Pokémon collector named Daniel Qudari unveiled an astonishing find: a playable copy of PokéPark Fishing Rally DS, a rare game that had been lost to time for two decades. Qudari, a devoted Pokémon enthusiast, approached IGN with evidence proving that the cartridge he owned was functional and capable of transmitting the game to other DS consoles via Download Play.

To verify his discovery, Qudari sent photos and videos demonstrating the game running on a DS handheld and transferring it to other DS consoles. The cartridge was eventually authenticated and encapsulated by PSA, a reputable organization in the video game preservation community. This discovery reignited interest in the once-forgotten limited-time event at Nagoya's PokéPark theme park in 2005, where visitors could experience the game through Download Play stations.

Qudari's find is particularly significant as it represents the first instance of a lost Pokémon media piece being authenticated and available for public use. The game, which featured Water-Type Pokémon, multiple fishing locations, and cameos from non-catchable Pokémon, allowed players to compete with other attendees in special events and contests.

With this cartridge in hand, Qudari could recreate the experience of playing PokéPark Fishing Rally DS, even sending the full game to other players' DS consoles through Download Play. The collector's discovery also sheds light on the unique aspects of the game, such as its wireless download feature and the temporary nature of its existence, which made it unlikely to be played again.