Even though the “Collector’s Edition” isn’t a new trend by any means, it only seems to be this year, and more specifically this holiday season, that nearly every major game is releasing with a more expensive “collectible” counterpart. Despite the majority of collector’s editions out there not being worth their asking price (that is unless you’re a huge fan of that particular game or series), there are some gems out there that many would be lucky to get their hands on, and will likely be hard to find on or after their release dates.
The decision on if a Collector’s Edition is worth the money is ultimately up to you and your wallet, so instead of telling you our opinion, we’re instead giving you a little humor in our recommendations.
In this in-depth look at collector’s editions, we’re going to give you the scoop on which ones are worth your hard earned cash this holiday season. For each collector’s edition releasing this season, we’re going to give you the following in our breakdown of each game:
- a look as to what the collector’s edition features over the standard edition
- the collector’s edition price
- if the collector’s edition is worth your money
Let’s get started in alphabetical order…
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood Collector’s Edition
What’s included:
- Doctor Jack in the Box “collectible”
- 2 exclusive in-game maps, hard-copy map of Rome displaying all the secrets the game offers
- art book
- bonus disc featuring game soundtrack, dev diaries, making of and trailers
Price: $99.99 
It’s worth it if…: you’re looking to explore every nook and cranny of Rome, or you have a creepy Jack-in-the box fetish
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Call of Duty: Black Ops Hardened Edition
What’s included:
- Limited edition Black Ops Collector’s Medal with display case
- 4 extra playable co-op maps not in the standard edition
- exclusive Black Ops PS Home avatar outfit
- special-edition SteelBook™ case
Price: $79.99 (Get a $20 credit when you pre-order from Amazon.com)
It’s worth it if…: you’re a huge fan of Call of Duty
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Call of Duty: Black Ops Prestige Edition
What’s included :
- everything included in the Hardened Edition (see above)
- fully custom RC vehicle modeled after in-game RC-XD Killstreak Reward
- 2″ backlit TFT 220 x176 color screen to receive video from car
Price: $149.99 (Get a $20 credit when you pre-order from Amazon.com)
It’s worth it if…: you have money to burn, or you want to use an RC car outfitted with a surveillance camera to spy on family, friends, or strangers
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Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Limited Edition
What’s included:
- game soundtrack
- art book
- limited edition casing
Price: $79.99
It’s worth it if…: you’re caught up in this whole Twilight/True Blood vampire craze, or you’re into spooky tunes, or you vant to suck my blood
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Dead Rising 2 “Zombrex” Collector’s Edition
What’s included:
- 2-disc steelbook case
- “making of” Blu-Ray disc
- art book
- dynamic theme
- Zombrex: syringe pen, safety card, prescription note pad and “Prospectus” sales brochure
Price: $79.99
It’s worth it if…: you really dig dynamic themes or you want to freak people out by using a pretend syringe in front of people (why would you want to do that?)
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Fallout: New Vegas Collector’s Edition
What’s included: “Lucky Seven” poker chips, deck of Fallout branded playing cards, “Lucky 38” platinum chip, hardcover graphic novel titles “All Roads”, documentary “making of” DVD
Price: $79.99
It’s worth it if…: you’re a fan of poker, or you’ve got a gambling addiction (or maybe you shouldn’t, ok, just this once), or you want to read up more on the series
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Gran Turismo 5 Collector’s Edition
What’s included:
- limited edition 1:43 scale diecast 2009 Nissan GT-R Spec V with custom Gran Turismo livery designed by Polyphony Digital, produced by well-known collectible car maker Kyosho
- in-depth 300-page car-lover’s guide written by the experts at Polyphony Digital, covering everything from the history of the modern automobile to driving techniques and game reference material
- Custom etched Gran Turismo key chain
- voucher for five (5) exclusive high-end cars with custom Gran Turismo livery and performance upgrades
Price: $99.99
It’s worth it if…: you’re a car enthusiast, or you’re heart is beating (you’d have to be a corpse not to get excited by this)
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LittleBigPlanet 2 Collector’s Edition
What’s included:
- 7″ collectible Sackboy plushie
- Exclusive LBP2 game ends (bookends)
- 5 exclusive Sackboy themed PSN avatars
- 11 DLC Sackboy costumes including
* Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3′s Alien’s Sackboy costume
* Disney’s TRON Legacy Sackboy costume
* The Muppets “The Great Gonzo” Sackboy costume
* PlayStation’s “Ratchet” Sackboy costume
* PlayStation’s “Clank” Sackboy costume
* Even More Animals’ “Crocodile” Sackboy costume
* Even More Animals’ “Vulture” Sackboy costume
* Even More Animals’ “Cobra” Sackboy costume
* Even More Animals’ “Mandril” Sackboy costume
* 2 Sackboy costumes exclusive to LBP2 (Jax and Daxter costumes).
Price: $79.99
It’s worth it if…: you or someone you know has a soft spot for a sackboy plushie, or you like to play dress up with your sackboy, or you could use a good pair of bookends
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What’s included:
Collectible SteelBook casing with debossed logo and art featuring Vito and Joe
Made Man Pack – Free access to in-game downloadable pack that lets players get behind the wheel of two different luxury automobiles modeled after classic cars from the period; plus two new “made man” suits, including a vintage tux for Vito
A 100-page hardcover art book that takes fans through the artistic design process of the game
A CD symphonic recording of the Mafia II score by the Prague FILMHarmonic Orchestra
A tear-resistant map depicting the 10 square miles of Empire Bay and all the hangout spots
Price: $79.99
It’s worth it if…: you don’t like sleeping with the fishes, or you want to look and feel like a made man
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Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Collector’s Edition
What’s included:
- Premium collectible steelbook
- Three exclusive challenge mode levels
- Exclusive Ralph McQuarrie concept “Deak Starkiller” skin
- Exclusive lightsaber crystal
- Starkiller 2GB flash drive designed by Mimobot
- Digital art book, featuring insights into the art of The Force Unleashed II
Price: $79.99
It’s worth it if…: you’re a Star Wars buff, or you speak fluent Yoda, or you want a kick-ass USB drive
