A mysterious phenomenon has unfolded in the world of gaming, with independent video game stores across the UK and US receiving unexpected shipments of a rare PS4 game called Poop Slinger. The game, released in 2018 on the PlayStation Network with a physical release in 2019, was handled by Limited Rare Games, not to be confused with the more well-known Limited Run Games. However, the demand for a game with such an unusual title was understandably low, especially when it was already available digitally.
As a result, very few copies were made and sold. Estimates suggested there were fewer than 100 copies in circulation, but Sony’s requirement for a minimum of 1,000 copies for physical PlayStation games meant that many copies remained unaccounted for. Due to its scarcity, Poop Slinger became a highly sought-after item online, with copies listed for prices as high as $1,000 on sites like eBay.
Last week, the mystery deepened as those “missing” copies began appearing at independent gaming stores nationwide. YouTuber and game store owner cakehoarder revealed that 39 stores had received six sealed copies each, totalling 234 copies suddenly released into the market.
The origin of these games remains unknown. The return address on the packages belonged to another game store, which was reportedly just as baffled as the recipients. Some speculate that someone discovered excess stock in a warehouse or storage unit and decided to distribute it. Others suggest that the developer or someone involved with the game might have chosen to offload extra copies they had stored away.
In 2019, VG247 reported that Limited Rare Games had to shut its doors due to the failure of Poop Slinger, with creditors taking the unsold copies to repay a loan. However, it remains unclear what happened to those copies. They might have been sold at an auction or simply stored away.
Adding to the confusion, Limited Rare Games has resurfaced. The company’s social media and website are operational, and they even addressed the situation with a peculiar video. The video features a content creator known as Hard Rock Nick discussing the fluctuating price of an undisclosed item. He talks about the stress of the price changes, but it is unclear if he is referring to Poop Slinger or something else, such as cryptocurrency. It is notable that Hard Rock Nick died in 2024, so this video was not commissioned by Limited Rare Games in response to the game’s reappearance.
The entire situation raises more questions than it answers. Who sent out these copies? What is the ultimate goal? It will be intriguing to see if this story unfolds further or if the tale of Poop Slinger remains an unsolved mystery. If you are interested in playing Poop Slinger, it is available on PSN for $4.99.
