High-End Luxury Board Games Worth More Than a Sports Car

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Luxury board games are usually associated with warmth, comfort, and something simple and homely. Playing with friends on the weekend, laying out Uno on the kitchen table, or playing chess with your grandfather. Everything is familiar, understandable, and enjoyable. But there is one detail that you probably didn't know about: there are collectible board games in this world that cost more than a car. Sometimes even more than an apartment. Yes, ordinary board games, but for crazy money. And this isn't just a silly whim of the rich. It's a whole culture. People collect them, display them in glass cases. Some games are handmade from gold, cost as much as Cartier rings, and are cherished more than vinyl collections. Each one has its own story. Some even have their own jewelers. Why have board games suddenly become a luxury item? Who orders them, why, and what do they actually look like? We'll take a closer look at all of this — we'll show you, tell you, and surprise you. You may never have thought seriously about board games for adults before. But after reading this article, you'll start to wonder.

Why have Luxury board games become so expensive?

That's a good question. Why do people spend so much money on a board game? It's not a painting, a watch, or a super rare bottle of wine. It's just a game. Well... not exactly.

If you think about it, it all starts with a simple idea: people love beautiful things. Some people buy designer furniture, some collect guitars in leather cases, and some buy insanely expensive Luxury board games. It's all because we want something special.

Plus, for many people, these exclusive board games are associated with something warm from their childhood. Playing chess with their grandfather, lotto with their parents, their first game of Monopoly on the kitchen table. Now imagine: you have the money, the taste, and the desire to recapture that feeling, only on a different level. More “adult.” That's where collectible board games come in, with handmade pieces, dice that shine like jewelry, and packaging that looks cooler than an expensive gift from a boutique.

And let's not forget about collectors. They are into everything. Coins, comics, vinyl — Luxury board games are no exception. Especially if it's not just a mass-produced box from a store, but a limited edition, one of ten in the world, signed by the master.

And here's another thing: these luxury board games for adults are very personal. Some people buy them for decoration, some only play them with their closest friends, and some never even open them — they just put them in a display case as the pride of their collection. And you know, there's a logic to that. When you can afford almost anything, the real value lies in uniqueness.

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The most expensive board games in the world

Okay, enough theory. Let's take a look at what this is all about — the real games that people are paying six figures for.

But don't expect boring descriptions and copy-paste from Wikipedia. I'll tell you about them as if we were just sitting and discussing them over coffee — because these games are truly amazing.

Jewel Royale Chess Set — $9,800,000

Yes, you heard right. It's a chess set. Worth almost ten million dollars. It was made by British jeweler Boodles, and the pieces are not made of wood or even ivory. They are made of platinum, 18-karat gold, numerous diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and even pearls.

The pieces look like they were made for the Queen's collection, not for a Sunday game. They say that the heaviest piece weighs over a kilo and is covered with precious stones. In total, there are over 165 carats of precious stones in the set.

An interesting fact: it was originally a PR project to draw attention to the brand. But after it was shown at an exhibition, real orders started coming in from private individuals. And then it became clear: yes, there are people on the planet who are really willing to invest in chess at the price of a private island.

There is information that one of the sets is now in Dubai. But there are no photos or confirmation — only rumors and security guards at the entrance. Because if you had a chess set like that, you wouldn't post it on Instagram either.

And the most interesting thing is that they are actually playable. That is, no one forbids you to play a game. Another thing is that if you drop a piece, the sound of it falling will be like the sound of a mortgage defaulting.

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Gold Monopoly by Sidney Mobell — $2,000,000

Remember that Monopoly game from your childhood with torn cards? Forget it. This one is from a completely different world. It was made by American jeweler Sidney Mobell. The board is made of pure gold. So are the tokens.

The dice are made of gold with rubies instead of dots. Even the houses and hotels are handmade from precious metals.

The game is on display at the Smithsonian Institution because, well, it's now a museum exhibit. Most likely, no one has ever played it. But the very fact that it exists is, at the very least, a reason to reconsider your attitude toward Luxury board games.

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Charles Hollander Backgammon — $1,000,000

Yes, backgammon is the game that usually comes to mind when you think of a park, tea, and conversation. But this version has nothing to do with the street board.

The Charles Hollander Backgammon Set is not just a game, but a luxury item designed to impress even the wealthiest individuals. This set was designed by Charles Hollander and made in France. The set not only features a great deal of craftsmanship, but also a considerable amount of gold, silver, and, wait for it, 61,082 diamonds. Yes, not six hundred. Not six thousand. Sixty-one thousand. There is only one set in the entire world. It is a unique, handmade piece with no replicas. The chips and dice are made of precious metals and studded with stones. Even the board itself looks like something from a jewelry boutique. And yet, it is a real, working backgammon set that can be played if desired. But you're unlikely to feel like playing: the set is estimated to be worth a million dollars, and many people are afraid to even touch it. It has been displayed at major exhibitions, including in Geneva and Basel. After that, the set went into a private collection, most likely in the Middle East.

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Art of War Chess Set — from $750,000

These chess pieces were inspired by the famous Chinese treatise “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu. The design was created by Victor F. Sharshtein, a German master craftsman specializing in handmade luxury items.

He decided to combine the philosophy of strategy and aesthetics in one game, and the result is a chess set that is not only expensive but also deeply meaningful. Each piece in this set is unique. They have different faces, postures, and details. These are not template elements, but real mini-sculptures that are hand-carved, polished, and inlaid. Expensive materials are used: gold, silver, platinum, as well as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. The pieces are made in the workshop by hand — without automation, only by hand, from start to finish.The chessboard is also created according to an individual design — it can be made of rare woods, marble, or even glass, depending on the customer's preferences. This set has not been available for sale — it can only be ordered directly from the author, and each set is made for a specific customer. The production time is approximately 6–12 months, sometimes longer if rare materials are used. The base price starts at $750,000, but can be significantly higher if the customer wants additional decorations, non-standard packaging, or exclusive materials. There are only a few such sets in the world, and most of them are in private collections.

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Baccarat Crystal Chess — crystal chess set for €270,000

This chess set is produced by Baccarat, a French company that has been working with crystal since 1764. It is known worldwide as a manufacturer of elite tableware, chandeliers, and decorative items for royal courts, presidents, and collectors. When Baccarat makes chess, it is not just a board and pieces — it is a true work of art.

The set is made entirely of crystal. Both the board and the pieces are hand-cut, sanded, and polished by Baccarat craftsmen. Each piece looks like a sculpture made of ice: transparent, clear, with perfect edges. They even feel unusual to the touch — heavy, cold, smooth.

The figures themselves are divided into transparent and matte to distinguish between the black and white sides. The board remains completely transparent, but the sectors are made with different textures so that everything remains legible during play.

Only 50 sets were produced worldwide. They are difficult to find on sale now — almost all of them have been sold out or are already in private collections.

The official price is €270,000. Sometimes the price on the secondary market can be higher, especially if the set is in perfect condition and comes with all the documentation. About half of the sets went to private homes around the world, from Europe to Asia, and a few remained in Baccarat boutiques as display items.

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Outrage! Deluxe Edition — a board game for $13,000 with real “jewels”

Compared to chess sets made of gold and backgammon boards studded with diamonds, Outrage may seem modest. But if you look beyond the price tag and focus on the meaning and presentation, it is perhaps one of the most unusual and most expensive board games in the world. It does not contain gold in every element, but it is truly collectible and unique.

Outrage! Deluxe Edition is a deluxe version of the British game based on the legend of the attempted robbery of the Tower of London. Players take on the role of conspirators who try to steal the royal jewels and carry them out of the Tower without being caught by the guards. The plot sounds like a movie, but it is presented as a full-fledged board game with mechanics, tokens, and strategy.

The regular version of the game can be purchased for a reasonable price, but the deluxe edition is in a league of its own. It is published by Imperial Games, and all copies are handmade. The print run is strictly limited, and each box is numbered. This is not a mass-market product — it is a collector's item designed for aesthetes, historians, and collectors who care about details.

The main difference between this version and the standard edition is the materials used. Inside, there are not just plastic tokens, but miniature versions of real royal regalia made of metals (brass, silver), hand-polished and painted. Some components have inserts imitating precious stones — not real rubies, of course, but they look expensive and distinctive. Everything is packed in a solid box covered with genuine leather or high-quality wood, depending on the version.

The set includes a letter signed by the game's author, an individual number, and a certificate confirming its authenticity. All packaging and internal organization of components is done at the level of an expensive gift edition. This is something you put on a shelf not “to play every day,” but to surprise a guest and say, “Look what I found.”

The price is $13,000. This is a bit compared to other exclusive board games on this list, but it's important to understand that Outrage! Deluxe Edition isn't worth its weight in gold and gems, but because of its history, attention to detail, and craftsmanship. In addition, only a few hundred copies have been released worldwide, and they rarely make it to the secondary market. Those who buy them usually don't part with them — they either keep them as collectibles or give them as gifts on special occasions.

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The most expensive 18+ board games in the world

In a world where, at first glance, everything has already been invented, there is a niche that almost no one talks about openly — exclusive adult board games designed for sophisticated, expensive, and often fetishized leisure activities.

These aren't the sleazy $20 “strip cards” you find in sex shops. These are real works of art, created for collectors, aesthetes, millionaires, and those who can afford luxury even in their intimate entertainment. Such games cost thousands, are handmade, and feature everything from gold and leather to plots worthy of the Marquis de Sade.

How Luxury board games for adults are created

Creating such a game takes months, sometimes years. A whole team works on it: designers, artists, carpenters, engravers, jewellers, perfumers, scriptwriters, sexologists. It is a real art project, where the goal is not just to excite, but to create an atmosphere of an intimate quest with aesthetics, rituals, emotional depth and maximum customisation.

The materials are always of the highest quality. Genuine nappa leather, silk, wood from sustainably grown tropical forests, marble, bronze, gold leaf, crystal. For example, the cards in some sets are covered with gold foil and printed on the same paper used in limited edition jewelry catalogs or the Bible. The dice are hand-carved from semi-precious stones. Masks are handmade from leather and velvet, decorated with embroidery, crystals, and even real fur. The tokens are metal or glass miniatures in the form of phalluses, butt plugs, handcuffs, female body figures, and other fetish symbols.

But even more important is the content. Each of these games contains not just a set of tasks, but a carefully crafted scenario: from light flirting to full immersion in BDSM, role-playing, fetish, or dom/sub drama. Some exclusive board games have “choice points” mechanics, branching storylines, transitions between levels of arousal, victory options, challenge elements, timers, code words, tactile markers, and AR/VR companion apps. Yes, you heard right — there are luxury board games for adults that  integrate with your smartphone, where some of the content is unlocked by scanning QR codes, built-in hints, and audio instructions.

Chess for adults: the luxurious Erotic Chess Set by Kiki de Montparnasse

Kiki de Montparnasse Erotic Chess Set is an exclusive chess set transformed into an art object for adults. It was developed by the elite erotic lingerie brand Kiki de Montparnasse in collaboration with the Aruliden agency and is a collector's edition that combines an intellectual game with elements of sexy design.

The pieces are made of medical-grade silicone and glossy ABS plastic, have smooth, tactile shapes, and can be used as sex toys — every detail is functional. Some pieces are styled as stimulators and anal accessories. The bases are inlaid with gold, and the game board is handmade from fine walnut wood, emphasizing the premium status of the set.

The cost is around $10,000, and sales are by individual request only. The edition is extremely limited, making this set a rare and coveted item for collectors and connoisseurs of aesthetics in the intimate sphere.

Consentacle: a board game about consent, trust, and eroticism without vulgarity

Consentacle is an unusual board game for two players, in which they find themselves in an intimate situation between a human and a tentacled alien creature. It sounds like a joke, but it's actually a very thoughtful, sensual game where the main theme is not sex itself, but building trust and consent. It was created by game designer Naomi Clark, who was inspired by the idea of showing what intimacy can look like when coercion, stereotypes, and familiar patterns are removed.

Instead of banal tasks, there are cards that partners use to “tune in” to each other. Players choose actions, but cannot be sure of the outcome without the consent of the other participant. It's not winning that matters, but synchrony. Everything is based on emotions: you watch your breathing, gestures, guess your partner's reactions, and try to trust them. Some games can even be played without words — only with intuition and looks, just like in real intimacy. It's not about physics, but about emotional vulnerability.

The game gained recognition after its success on Kickstarter, raising over $150,000. The first print run was limited and quickly became a collector's item. Today, original boxes are rare, and prices on the secondary market reach $300. Visually, everything is done in a light erotic style: manga art, rich colors, cards that are pleasant to the touch, and neat and unusual design. At the same time, the game does not descend into vulgarity, but rather teaches you to communicate, listen, and be attentive to other people.

Why you won't find these games online: custom board games for adults

When it comes to really expensive, collectible, and erotic board games, it's important to understand one thing: most of them aren't mass-produced or sold openly.

Such games are made individually, to order. They are created by designers, artists, and craftsmen, usually as a one-of-a-kind item for a specific client or couple. It could be a BDSM-themed game with leather elements, gold-plated tokens, and hand engraving, designed as an art object rather than just entertainment.

Often, the customer chooses how the game will look: what materials to use, what roles or scenarios to include, what feelings it should evoke. In such projects, they work with natural wood, brass, velvet, leather, and sometimes even marble and gold. Everything is created by hand — from the game board to the cards and packaging.

Therefore, it is not surprising that there is virtually no information about such games on the internet. They are not listed in online catalogs, sold on Amazon, or advertised on social media. They are made in a closed format — through personal connections, boutiques, design studios, sometimes through private salons or by recommendation.

Who is all this for and why do people buy these board games for adults?

The main audience for these products is wealthy couples, collectors, curators of erotic art exhibitions, owners of private clubs, luxury villas, and adults-only hotels.

Such exclusive board games are often used in special events: erotic role-playing parties, individual sessions with sex coaches, as wedding or anniversary gifts (sometimes even for golden weddings, paradoxical as it may seem).

Sometimes they are bought simply as collector's items, not for playing — like buying chess sets from Hermès or cigars in a humidor for $20,000.

Board games from famous brands

In addition to jewelry chess sets and collectible backgammon sets, there is a special category of high-end board games in the world—those produced by famous fashion and design brands.

They are not encrusted with diamonds and do not cost millions, but they are still considered luxury items. They are not created for the mass market, but for those who appreciate style and quality and want even an ordinary game to look expensive.

Ralph Lauren produces luxury chess sets under its premium division, Ralph Lauren Home. One of the most famous is the Ralph Lauren Hammond Chess Set. It includes a leather board covered with hand-embossed black leather and metal pieces made of polished nickel and gold-plated brass. All this is packed in a solid wooden case. The price of such a set is about $2,900. This set is often purchased not so much for playing as for use as an accent piece in the interior — it looks great on a coffee table or in a library.

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Louis Vuitton offers a whole line of playing cards and travel game sets. The most recognizable of these is the Vivienne Playing Cards Set, featuring the Vivienne brand mascot. The cards are made of thick designer paper, and the case is in the form of a mini suitcase covered in the brand's signature Monogram Canvas leather with gold hardware and a clasp. The cost is approximately $685, but such a set is valued not for the game itself, but for its image. It is a typical item of “ostentatious luxury” — often given as an expensive gift or purchased for personal collections.

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Hermès is also actively working in this direction. Their collection of high-end board games includes not only card sets, but also chess, dominoes, backgammon, and even mini golf. For example, jeu de cartes La Collection Emile Hermès is a set of designer playing cards decorated with archival drawings and vintage motifs from the Hermès family collection. The box is made of laminated cardboard, and the interior design is in the style of a collectible art object. The price of such a set ranges from €250 to €300. Hermès emphasizes “quiet” luxury — no flashy logos, but impeccable quality and taste.

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The British brand Linley, founded by Princess Margaret's son, is known for its artisanal approach. Their versions of Monopoly and Cluedo are true design masterpieces. For example, the Monopoly board is made of walnut, birch, or rosewood veneer with inlay, and the cards and tokens are stored in individual compartments with leather trim. Each piece is assembled by hand in England. Prices start at £4,620 (approximately $5,800), and each set is produced in limited quantities or made to order. These luxury board games for adults are often ordered as family heirlooms or personalized gifts.

The travel-sized collectible board games from the same brands are also worth mentioning. For example, Louis Vuitton has a poker set in a branded case with chips made of lacquered wood and brass trim. Hermès offers dominoes in a leather case for €1,100, where each tile is hand-polished and stored like a piece of jewelry.

Premium versions of popular games

While some collectors hunt for diamond chess sets, others prefer a more affordable, yet still expensive and impressive luxury: premium editions of popular board games for adults. This segment is growing rapidly and offers gamers higher quality, more aesthetic, and longer-lasting versions of familiar hits.

Such games do not reach the sky-high prices of rare designer exclusive board games, but they are also a cut above what you can find on the shelves of a regular store.

Perhaps one of the most telling examples is Catan: 3D Edition. This is an official set in which the standard cardboard tiles have been replaced with three-dimensional plastic elements with detailed surfaces and hand-painted designs. Each tile looks like a miniature piece of the real landscape, with mountains, forests, and settlements that you really want to hold in your hands. Such a set costs around $300–350, but there are also custom wooden versions made by hand to individual orders. Their price can reach a thousand dollars or more, especially when it comes to carving, engraving, and high-quality materials such as walnut or wenge.

Games like Gloomhaven and its sequel Frosthaven look much more impressive. These are true giants among high-end board games: their boxes weigh more than 10 kilograms and contain hundreds of components, dozens of miniatures, and dozens of hours of gameplay. Separate premium sets are available for such games: hand-painted figures, fabric maps, organizers with individual compartments, poker chips instead of tokens, and even special nylon mats for the playing field. The total cost of such a set can easily exceed $800 or even $1,200, especially if you collect everything through Kickstarter or separately from craftsmen.

Classic games are not far behind. Scrabble, for example, comes in a deluxe version with a rotating wooden board, lacquered letters, soft padding, and a beautiful storage box. This is not just an improved version — it is an interior decoration item. This Scrabble costs $250 and up, and often becomes a gift or a status symbol on a desk.

Among role-playing games, the premium Dungeons & Dragons sets occupy a special place. Here, it's not just the beautiful leather-bound books that are valued, but also the unique dice made of metal, stone, and resin. A single D20 dice can cost $100, $300, or even $500 if it is handmade, engraved, or made from a rare material. Leading players buy wooden screens with backlighting and engraving, and character figures are made on 3D printers and painted by hand. All this is not just for the sake of appearance, but to enhance the atmosphere and impression of each gaming session.

Most of these premium versions are not mass-produced, but created through Kickstarter. There, companies and independent authors offer their deluxe sets in advance, and buyers get access to exclusive components: acrylic tokens, metal coins, alternative cards, special packaging, and art books. Usually, these editions are strictly limited, and after the game's release, they are not reprinted. On the secondary market, the price often doubles or even triples.

Final Thoughts

At first glance, luxury board games may seem like a strange concept. Why spend thousands—or even millions—on something you could buy for twenty bucks at the store? But after looking closer, it starts to make sense. These aren’t just exclusive board games. They’re objects of beauty, of nostalgia, of craftsmanship. For some, it’s about collecting. For others, it’s about owning something special, something rare, something that reflects who they are and what they value.

Whether it's a chess set covered in diamonds, a wooden Monopoly board made by hand, or a premium edition of a beloved game with upgraded components—every example in this article shows one thing: luxury board games for adults, like watches or cars or art, can be more than just functional. They can be meaningful.

And sure, most of us will never own a $10 million chess set. But that’s not the point. The point is that even something as simple and familiar as a board game can be taken to a whole new level—and that, in itself, is kind of amazing.

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