High fashion and gaming don't often mix, but when they do, the results are either brilliant or completely baffling.
Enter Balenciaga, the luxury brand best known for making Crocs with high heels and bags that look suspiciously like IKEA shopping bags. Their latest creation? A handheld gaming device that costs a small fortune – and plays exactly one game.
A $40,000 Ticket to Nostalgia
To celebrate the Chinese Year of the Snake, Balenciaga has unveiled a limited edition handheld console. If you're picturing something sleek and cutting-edge, think again. This device looks like a cross between a Game Boy and an ultra-minimalist calculator, with just four oddly placed buttons that seem ergonomically designed to induce hand cramps.
And what gaming masterpiece does this high-fashion gadget offer? Snake. Yes, the same game you played on your Nokia brick phone in the early 2000s – or, if you're a true retro enthusiast, the 1978 arcade original.
Exclusivity at Its Most Ridiculous
But here's the catch: you can't just walk into a Balenciaga store and buy this thing. Oh no, that would be too dull. The handheld is only available to "Very Important Clients," a status granted to those who have spent at least $40,000 in Balenciaga boutiques. That's right – after dropping a small fortune on designer clothes, you might be lucky enough to get the chance to own this glorified beeper with a screen.
For now, the device is being given away exclusively to influencers, so its actual retail price remains a mystery. Considering that Balenciaga once sold a keychain for $800, it's safe to assume that this collector's item won't come cheap.
Snake for the Masses
For those not willing to sell their kidneys to join Balenciaga's elite club, there are countless other ways to play Snake. Retro handhelds offer a far better gaming experience at a fraction of the price.
And if it's just Snake you're after? Well, it's been free to play online for years. In fact, Balenciaga has even made their version available on their website – although you'll need to register an account to access it. Because nothing says luxury like signing up for an email list to play a game from 1978.