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Most games drop at a $60 price point, but some developers and publishers are offering a little more bang for your buck by selling Special Editions and Collector’s Editions of their big (and sometimes not so big) titles. These can offer a variety of additional content for the game, both digitally and physically. The Order: 1886, for example, is coming with a statue of the main character. With all of these Collector’s Editions on the market, we thought we’d see how the PSLS staff felt about them.
Chandler Wood (@FinchStrife)
I want to love Collector’s Editions, but I just can’t. The price paid extra is often far too much for what you get. If it is a game that I am extremely into, perhaps I will, as long as the extra is a really cool, high quality statue or something equivalent, but I’ve been burned with cheap quality trinkets that I’ve paid far too much on before. If there’s a special bit of packaging or something for a pre-order, like the art books that came with Kingdom Heart 1.5 HD ReMIX and Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD, then I will often pre-order games I know I will get anyway just to get those special collector’s pieces, but the premium is usually only pre-ordering.
D’yani Wood (@Dyani)
Lately, a lot of Collector’s Editions are cheapened by the quality of the physical loot included. I want a well made piece of memorabilia that makes me remember how much I love the game it references. And, if the things included are a little more than just knick-knacks to put on your shelf-o’-gaming-stuff, I don’t have enough room or disposable income for those kinds of things! So basically, no, I don’t buy them because none lately have met my expectations.
Dan Oravasaari (@FoolsJoker)
I used to be all about Special Edition releases of games, but now that I realize that I have an abundance of random gaming paraphernalia, I don’t really need/want any more. There are certain items that do intrigue me, like an awesome statue, but even then, I am a bit more picky on what I splurge on.
Erren Van Duine (@ErrenVanDuine)
For me it really depends. I’m more likely to pick up a Special or Collector’s Edition of a game if it’s for a game that I’m really looking forward to, and even then it has to be something I’m anticipating above all else. The other real deciding factor when it comes to those is the bonus features. What exactly am I paying for? If it’s a bunch of cheap-looking extras, then I probably won’t buy in, however, should a CE include nice packaging such as a steelbook casing, a decent sized art book, and soundtrack then I’m usually more than willing to plunk down the extra cash.
Now if we’re talking about special edition consoles, then that’s a different story!
Heath Hindman (@TheHeathHindman)
I don’t really buy them. I got the htoL#NiQ one because I desperately wanted the game, but the only physical copies around were sold in that Special Edition bundle, so I did what I had to do. Fortunately, it was $50, the same price as the base game itself — not really paying a premium.
I do love game paraphernalia and have several posters around my house (Final Fantasy Tactics, Chrono Cross, Lunar 2), but these days I don’t find it worth it to pay extra money and get the extra stuff. I just want the game. I have game shelves, and my enjoyment is sufficient with a game’s visual display being limited to shelf space.
Louis Edwards (@ftwrthtx)
I’m a big fan of Collector’s Editions if they are done right. I own several Call of Duty Prestige bundles (that damn quadcopter is too hard to fly) but my favorite has to be the Helghast helmet from Killzone 3. To me, if there are only a couple of physical items, I’ll take a pass on it, but if they push it to the limit, I’m all over it. Call of Duty has had several that I picked up (still play with the car with remote camera in the controller) but Dead Island showed everybody how it was done with their last edition. Whether it’s worth it or not just depends on how much physical stuff they include.
Mack Ashworth (@GamingWithMack)
I’ve picked up the Far Cry 3 and Gears of War 3 Limited Edition versions. These were mainly for the bonus DLC content, which makes me a bit sad inside. I don’t even know where I’ve put that Vaas bobblehead…
Mark Labbe (@MarkyMark255)
Since I only purchase games digitally, I never have gotten a Collector’s Edition. I always try for the Ultimate Edition, because those generally offer special pieces of DLC, and I definitely think that spending a few extra dollars for a few extra hours of fun is worth it. In terms of Collector’s Editions — I think that if you’re the type of person who loves showing off your game collection or just having a complete collection, then buying them seems worth it. I frequently buy “Collector’s Edition” books, so I completely understand the want or need to get a Collector’s Edition video game.
Paulmichael Contreras (@T3mpr1x)
If I absolutely love the franchise, or the Collector’s Edition has something I can actually use, and the price is reasonable, then yeah I’ll bite. So far I’ve bought the LittleBigPlanet 2 Collector’s Edition due to the Sackboy figure and bookends (awesome!), the inFAMOUS 2 Collector’s Edition featuring the Cole figure and messenger bag that I still use to this day, and the Mortal Kombat Kollector’s Edition thanks to its bookends (they are actually being used to hold up some books!).
Zarmena Khan (@Zarmena)
I’ve never personally sought Special Editions or Collector’s Editions, but like Heath said, there are cases where all you can get is a Special Edition. Last year, I came across a Standard Edition and a Special Edition of Far Cry 4 for the same price, so I understandably went for the one that offered a little something extra. If I had to pay a premium, I wouldn’t get it.
I can’t speak for others but I can’t justify spending so much money on a few extra goodies in a box. Then again, I’m not a collector. I do occasionally buy video game t-shirts but those are separate purchases and don’t cost much.
Are you a fan of Collector’s or Special Editions? Do you have any in your collection? Remember to send us questions for Ask PSLS on Twitter, Facebook, the forums, and email. Be sure to check back next Wednesday to see what question the PSLS staff will be answering!
