Video Game Merch That Costs More Than Your Car

Being a gamer can be expensive, but being a gaming paraphernalia collector can get downright ridiculous. Some people are willing to spend an absurd amount of money for rare or otherwise valuable merchandise simply for the pleasure of knowing that they are one of the few people in the world that own it. This is often done in the name of preservation, making undamaged products grow in value as they age. That's why the most expensive video games in the world today were all made before 1990. A bidder at Heritage Auctions spent $660,000 on an immaculately maintained copy of the original 1985 "Super Mario Bros" back in April, breaking the record for the most expensive single video game auction sale in history.

It isn't always about the age of the item that makes it expensive, however. Sometimes Luxury brands participate in video game collaborations in order to produce some truly outrageously priced collectibles. Seiko made a line of "Pokémon" watches that go for 49,500円 (just over $430 USD), Balenciaga made a line of PlayStation t-shirts and hoodies that ranged from $675-$875, and Luis Vuitton made a "League of Legends" jacket that costs $5,650. There's some merch out there that's even more expensive, though. Here are a few items that might cost more than your car.

The Xbox Series S/X was released over a year ago, but the console has been incredibly hard to buy, leading to some pretty egregious price inflation. Whatever price a scalper might have charged, though, it's nothing compared to the $10,000 price tag that comes with the Xbox Series X designed by Gucci.

This designer game console was made in honor of Xbox and Gucci's respective anniversaries. Xbox turned 20 last year, while the Gucci brand celebrated its centennial. According to the Gucci website, "The collaboration consists of 100 numbered sets, each comprising a black Xbox Series X console laser-engraved with the GG pattern, two wireless controllers featuring the Web stripe, complemented by a hard case inspired by Gucci's archival luggage." The case also features the initials "GG," which Gucci described as representing its brand and the popular esports motto "good game." While the design is certainly unique, it's clear that the Gucci name is what's really driving up the cost. The specs are exactly the same as a regular Series X, regardless of the 2000% increase in price.

This next item also came about as the result of an anniversary. Baccarat is a French crystal manufacturer that has been around since 1764. The company owns two museums and has since expanded into hotels, restaurants, private residences, commercial spaces, yachts, jets, and virtually everything else in the luxury market. They also sometimes partner with other brands in order to make commemorative crystal pieces designed by world-renowned artists.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of "Pokémon," Baccarat produced "a limited Pikachu Fragment created by Hiroshi Fujiwara, a Pikachu figurine, and a Poké Ball, for all fans across the globe." The website points out that this anniversary is significant because Pikachu, the mascot of the franchise, was the 25th Pokémon in the original Pokedex.

The Pikachu and Poké Ball figurines went for $440 and $410 respectively, but that's nothing compared to the $25,000 price tag that came with the Fujiwara Pikachu Fragment. Why is it so expensive? Well, Fujiwara is one of the most renowned fashion and fragment designers in the world, so naturally, his designs aren't cheap. Then there's the sheer size of it. Kotaku reported that the Pikachu Fragment comes in at 11.8 inches high, 5.7 inches wide, and consists of 18.3 pounds of solid crystal. And in keeping to the 25th-anniversary theme, only 25 of them were made.

If video game march is going to cost as much as a car, it might as well actually be a car. Back in 2011, Activision and Chrysler came together in an unusual partnership in order to make the Jeep Wrangler "Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition." Like the name suggests, the vehicle came in all black and bore "Call of Duty" branding. It was designed with a military style in order to replicate the look and feel of the Jeeps that were featured in the game.

According to a press release, Mark Lamia, Studio Head of game developer Treyarch, stated, "Our work with the Jeep team focused around using the Jeep Wrangler in our levels, and gameplay experiences, and translating the style and look of the vehicle in Black Ops to the Jeep on the showroom floor that our fans can own." It seems that the team was successful in their goal, since they did it again the very next year.

CJ Off-Road reported that the 2012 Jeep Wrangler "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" Edition was black and silver and cost even more than the "Black Ops" Edition. The 2-door version cost $37,295 while the 4-door ran $40,070, which included an $800 destination fee. Used models can be found fairly easily, but it seems that finding one with 0 miles is all but impossible now.

Back in the late 1990s, "Pokémon" trading cards quickly became one of the most successful video game merchandising efforts ever attempted. They grew so sought after that they outpaced the popularity of the games they were based on for a while. Then, in 2020, they blew up again. Only now, the value of Gen 1 cards was significantly increased both by the increased demand and by the rarity of immaculately preserved cards that were now over 20 years old. This trend was exacerbated by figures like streamers Logic and Mizkif, as well as YouTuber Logan Paul, who have all had a public interest in collecting the cards.

Of course, Charizard was widely known as the rarest card from Gen 1, and getting one in perfect condition is challenging, as there are only a handful of them left in the world. PSA  offers one of the most respected grading services in the world. It ranks cards from 1-10 with a score of 10 being reserved for cards that have no evidence of any manufacturing or handling defects. Several Charizards which have been graded PSA 10 have been sold for over $100,000. In fact, the most expensive single Pokémon card sale to date was a PSA 10 Charizard that was sold at auction for $399,750.

Back in the 1980s, Atari started a competition called the SwordQuest Challenge. Atari compendium reported that the challenge encompassed four games: "EarthWorld," "FireWorld," "WaterWorld," and "AirWorld." Contestants would buy one of the four games, search for hidden clues in the comic book that was included with the game, and then send the secret message to Atari in order to be entered. The winner of each of the four challenges would be awarded one of four literal pieces of treasure, each with a fantasy theme. The talisman, chalice, crown, and Philosopher's Stone were each made of gold and featured real gems encrusted in their design. Each of these pieces was valued at ~$25,000 at the time ($68,806 adjusting for inflation.) Winners would then be allowed to compete for the grand prize: the $50,000 SwordQuest Sword.

Unfortunately, the competition was cut short when the video game crash of 1983 forced Atari to cancel one of the four games. A report from Eurogamer suggested that most of the prizes have since disappeared and have yet to be recovered. Who knows what they would be worth if these lost treasures were ever found though?