Pokémon Emerald Rayquaza Metal GBA SP Case

While going through my old console collection one day, I came across a metal carry case featuring Rayquaza that’s just the right size to fit a Game Boy Advance SP inside.

After searching online, I couldn’t find much about it, just a few eBay listings but no one seemed to really know anything about it. I submitted a post on elitefourum.com and continued my research, but ultimately hit a dead end.

Now a Collectible
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More recently, in 2025, this item has become something of a collectible. More and more collectors are searching for information about it, and while more are appearing on the secondhand market, the travel case remained a mystery. Knowledge of its existence has primarily circulated through online forums, Reddit threads, and collector groups often accompanied by vague recollections.

Personal Research
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As someone who personally owned this case, I recall purchasing it as part of a Pokémon Emerald bundle from a Toys “R” Us store in the UK. However, unlike what I had heard from others, I don’t remember purchasing a Game Boy Advance SP with it, I already owned one and just purchased the game.

Using Archive.org’s Wayback Machine, I searched archived versions of the UK Toys “R” Us website from around the game’s release. After combing through dozens of captures, I still couldn’t find any promotional material on their homepage, so I switched to a more in-depth search of their product pages. Finally, I found it.

Screenshot from archive.org - Jan-03-2006

Though the image quality was poor, this confirmed what my memory had preserved: this case was a Toys “R” Us exclusive.

The listing reads:

GBA Pokémon Emerald

Long-awaited Pokémon Emerald plus exclusive Travel Case.

Unfortunately, the actual listing itself has not been archived, and I still haven’t managed to find any additional information. However, I do remember there being promotional material in-store at Toys “R” Us at the time, so hopefully more will surface in the future.

Details of the Case
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Here’s what is known about the case:

Material: Metal shell
Design: Custom-molded to snugly fit a GBA SP.
Strap: Green nylon/fabric strap
Availability: Bundled with Pokémon Emerald at Toys “R” Us UK stores (and possibly through their website).
Era: Released alongside the European release of Pokémon Emerald around October 21, 2005. Sold out by 2006
Inside: Contains two grey foam inserts (top and bottom) for padding; lined with smooth black fabric

Conclusion
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The Rayquaza Game Boy Advance SP travel case serves as a reminder of a time when gaming accessories were more regionally unique and often fleeting in availability. While it may not have the recognition of limited-edition consoles or tournament prizes, its rarity and connection to one of the most beloved Pokémon titles give it a unique place in collecting history.

Thanks to tools like Archive.org and the dedication of nostalgic fans, small fragments of gaming history like this continue to be uncovered and appreciated. If you happen to own one, consider yourself lucky, you hold a piece of forgotten Pokémon memorabilia that many are still searching for more information about.