Forget special editions—this is a true one-of-a-kind. The “Golden Wii,” a Nintendo console plated in 24-karat gold, isn’t just a gaming system; it’s a legendary piece of marketing history. It all started back in 2009 when the now-defunct publisher THQ commissioned this opulent console as a publicity stunt to promote their game, Big Family Games.

Their audacious idea? To send the ultimate “family” console to the ultimate family: the British Royal Family, specifically Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The console, complete with a matching golden Wii Remote, was duly sent off to Buckingham Palace. However, due to the Royal Household’s strict policy against accepting unsolicited gifts, the lavish device never actually reached the Queen.

Lost to the public for a time, this gilded relic eventually emerged in the hands of a Dutch collector, Donny Fillerup, who managed to track it down and add it to his incredible collection of rare consoles. Given its singular history, the console’s value is often estimated in the high six-figures. The collector previously listed it for sale with an asking price of $300,000 USD, though experts have valued the piece even higher, cementing its status as one of the most unique and sought-after collector’s items in the world. Its journey from a publicity gimmick to a museum-worthy piece of memorabilia makes it a truly fascinating story for any fan of gaming history.