A dedicated Pokémon fan has gone to extreme lengths to document some of the rarest creatures in the franchise, recently detailing why he set up 58 consoles at once searching for a one-in-nine-million shiny Pokémon. Professor Rex, who spoke to Kotaku in a report published on July 27, 2026, explained that his massive hardware setup is driven primarily by statistics and math rather than a deep personal attachment to water-type duck monsters.

Quick Facts

  • Target: A pink-billed, level 25 underleveled Shiny Golduck.
  • Hardware Setup: 58 simultaneous systems running GameCube and Wii hardware.
  • Control Method: Wavebird wireless controllers communicating over shared radio channels.
  • Software Used: Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire for GameCube.

The Math Behind the One-in-Nine-Million Shiny Hunt

While modern titles often display monsters directly in the overworld, classic Pokémon games rely on random dice rolls during encounters in tall grass or while surfing. Rex previously gained attention for shiny-hunting a Chansey in the Safari Zone of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, a grind with a 1/806,000 odds ratio. Seeking an even tougher challenge that could last for years, he turned his attention to Golduck.

Golduck typically evolves from Psyduck at level 33. However, wild underleveled variants can occasionally appear in specific locations. In the Safari Zone, a level 25 Golduck has a one-percent spawn rate, with a further one-in-sixteen chance of appearing at that specific level. Combined with standard shiny odds, Rex estimates the ideal target sits at a staggering one-in-nine-million chance of appearing.

How 58 Consoles Operate Simultaneously

To make a dent in those odds, Rex utilizes a unique hardware configuration. Nintendo and Game Freak's GameCube storage application, Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire, permits players to play original Ruby and Sapphire cartridges on a television screen. As it turns out, removing the disc after starting the game allows it to run to completion, meaning a single game disc can boot up multiple systems at the exact same time.

Controlling nearly six dozen systems at once required outdated tech: the Wavebird Controller released for the GameCube in 2002. Unlike modern Bluetooth controllers, the Wavebird communicates via radio waves. By setting multiple receivers to the exact same radio channel, a single controller can broadcast inputs to every system plugged into them, allowing for scalable control across a massive multi-console wall.

Despite the immense technical preparation, the grind has yielded unpredictable results. Rex noted that across Safari Week 2025 and 2026, he has encountered 14 shiny Psyducks without stumbling upon the targeted Golduck. Because shiny encounters are not cumulative, each reset remains entirely independent. Whether the golden goose of a level 25 shiny Golduck will ever appear remains to be seen, but for Rex, the multi-console setup ensures the chase continues.