Collector's Editions

The Fire Emblem Fates Special Edition shipped with an 80-page artbook that was loaded with sketches and concept art. It also included an illustrated 3DS carrying pouch. Both of these items were pretty cool, but the collection offered something even better than physical goods: convenience! Taking a page out of the Pokémon playbook, Fire Emblem Fates was released as two separate games. Although both versions centered around the same characters, they each had their own campaigns and focused on different storylines. The Special Edition put both versions onto a single cart – eliminating the need to buy two separate games. If you bought the Special Edition in Japan, you would get a third campaign as free DLC, but the North American version went the extra mile by including the new campaign on the cart as well. It’s incredibly handy to be able to access all three campaigns without having the need to swap out cartridges or juggle SD cards. It’s just unfortunate that the quantities were so limited.

We’ve seen a number of Bayonetta special editions over the years, and their contents vary depending on platform and territory. Lucky fans in the UK and Australia were given the coolest special edition by far, but it’s not easy to find unless you’re willing to give up a kidney. The limited Climax Edition came packaged with an awesome soundtrack CD and a wicked artbook, and a replica of one of Bayonetta’s trademark “Scarborough Fair” guns was available as a special pre-order bonus. Bayonetta uses four of these guns to fight demons during her adventures, but the replica was obviously meant to be displayed on a shelf. (It’s all for the best, since most people aren’t flexible enough to pull off the “guns strapped to your ankles” look anyway.) The Scarborough Fair replica was extremely limited, and total production is said to be around 1,500 worldwide. Good luck tracking one down! You’d probably have an easier time buying a real gun.

The Fallout: New Vegas Collector’s Edition felt like it was lifted right out of the Fallout universe. Right from the beginning, the weathered packaging looked like it belonged in the Mojave Wasteland. Inside, it had a deck of playing cards, poker chips from the game’s seven major casinos, and a replica of the elusive “Lucky 38” platinum chip that kicked off the game’s story. The collection also featured a couple of items that added further context to the overarching narrative. A hardcover graphic novel gave insight into the characters and the actions that lead up to the game, while a bonus “making of” DVD allowed the developers to take us from concept to creation. If you were intrigued by the world-building in Fallout: New Vegas, then the Collector’s Edition will be right up your alley. Fallout 3 had an awesome Collector’s Edition as well, but the New Vegas bundle did a better job of immersing players in the game. You’ll probably never visit a casino in a nuclear wasteland, and thanks to the New Vegas Collector’s Edition, you’ll never have to!

Hyrule Warriors has been released several times on various platforms. The 3DS iteration was the worst version of the game from a technical standpoint, but its Limited Edition was a pretty attractive collection nonetheless. The collection shipped with a replica of the heirloom compass that Linkle used in the game. This item functioned as a clock rather than a compass, but I wasn’t planning any adventures anyway. The Limited Edition made its way to European shores, but the special Treasure Box collection was exclusive to Japan. This collection still had the aforementioned compass, and it also included an amazing hardbound artbook, a gold-colored ocarina (that you could actually play), and a talking Navi plush that would say, “Hey, Listen!” when squeezed. Dropping $130 on a $30 game might sound preposterous, and you could easily argue that the bonus items aren’t worth the $100 premium. It did include all of the DLC for free, however, so the price isn’t as outrageous as it seems. Besides, $130 would be considered a steal if you’re looking to buy it on the secondary market.

Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete were released in an era where special editions still felt special. The games never had the exposure that RPG juggernauts like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest did, but Working Designs put together collector’s editions that gave fans a reason to take notice. Both Lunar games on the PlayStation had limited collector’s editions at launch, but I’m acknowledging the sequel since it had more content. In addition to the game itself (which was spread across three discs), the collection included a soundtrack CD and a supplementary disc with a “making of” featurette. It also came with a hardbound artbook/instruction manual and a map of the Lunar world. Rounding out the package was a box of bonus items that included miniature character standees and a full-sized replica of the pendant that Lucia wore in the game. The game is nearly 20 years old, but few collector’s editions have been more extensive. The collection felt like it was Working Design’s way of thanking their fans.

Few games are as brazen as Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 when it comes to sexual depictions of women. The game is entirely built around fanservice, and Team Ninja deserves tremendous credit for jumping in with both feet. Two versions of the game were available at launch – Dead or Alive Xtreme 3: Fortune for PlayStation 4 and Dead or Alive Xtreme 3: Venus for PlayStation Vita – and collector’s editions were available for both systems. Both collections included free costume packs, waterproof bath posters, and playing cards featuring that DOA fighters. A 48-page gravure photo book was also included, but the pictures were different depending what version of the game you bought. 3D oppai mousepads featuring the two most popular DOA girls were also included in the collection. For the PS4 version, the mousepad featured Marie Rose while Vita owners got Honoka instead. (The debate over which system got the better end of the deal ultimately depends on whether you identify as a Demoflat or a Rebooblican.) In summary, the collector’s editions featured sexy posters, sexy playing cards, sexy photo books, and sexy mousepads. Someone obviously understands the importance of consistent messaging.

Atlus has a knack for special editions, and Catherine is no exception. I always like when collector’s editions are able to bring in-game content into the real world. In the case of Catherine‘s “Love is Over” collection, we’re given a t-shirt that was lifted right out of the game as well as the iconic polka-dot boxers that Vincent wore during the game’s nightmare sequences. It also features a pillowcase adorned with an image of Catherine as a nod to the game’s sleeping themes. A sexy 36-page art book and a soundtrack of classical music remixed by composer Shoji Meguro round out the package. Everything comes packed together in a replica pizza box from the fictional bar that served as the main hangout for Vincent and his buddies. If you’re unfamiliar with the game, the collection might seem pretty mediocre. (Why would anyone shell out extra money for novelty boxers and a pizza box?) Ultimately, I appreciate how the collection embraces the game’s quirkiness. Best of all, the whole thing will only set you back $80.

The Halo series has had a lot of great collector’s editions over the years. The Halo 3 “Legendary Edition” came with a replica of Master Chief’s helmet, but Halo: Reach put together a collection of goodies that was even more intriguing. The biggest selling point of the collection was probably the hand-painted Noble Team statue crafted by McFarlane Toys, but I was more interested in all the in-universe swag that was included. The entire thing came in UNSC-themed packaging, and the game case was housed within a replica ONI “black box” container. Once everything was opened, you found an embroidered SPARTAN-II patch, a replica of Dr. Halsey’s ONI security badge, and an artifact bag containing all sorts of classified documents. A copy of Dr. Halsey’s personal, hand-written journal was even included! This journal is referenced in the game itself, so it’s surreal to have a copy of it in the real world. The various documents and effects allow fans to unravel long-held secrets and give them a way to immerse themselves in the Halo universe. Most special editions bombard consumers with chintzy trinkets and glorified paperweights, but the contents of the Halo: Reach “Legendary Edition” actually make the game more enjoyable.

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was one of the best games on the PlayStation 3, and the Wizard’s Edition had all sorts of extras. The collection came with exclusive DLC, a soundtrack sampler CD, and a handful of beautiful art prints. There was also a limited edition coin and a Drippy plush doll. If you’re not aware, Drippy is the unconventional fairy companion who guide’s Oliver through his adventure. He begins the game as a stuffed animal before he’s revived by Oliver’s tears, so it’s completely appropriate for him to be immortalized in plush form. Without question, the main reason to pick up the Wizard’s Edition is because it includes the aptly-named Wizard’s Companion. This 340-page book contains information about all of the games spells, familiars, items, and monsters. The Wizard’s Companion was bundled with the 3DS version of the game in Japan, but the PlayStation 3 version opted to build the guide into the game itself. Browsing through a digital version of the book has its own advantages, but it’s comforting to hold the guide in your hands. The book is hardbound with an embossed cover, and it’s nice to be able to thumb through its pages without having to worry about loading times. The Wizard’s Edition of Ni no Kuni was the only way to get a physical copy of the Wizard’s Companion in English. The collection was only available through the Namco Bandai store, so you can probably imagine how expensive it has become.

The aptly-named “Claptrap-in-a-Box Edition” of Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is one of those cases where the game itself takes a back seat to the extra swag. The collection comes with a steelbook case and a dozen limited edition art prints, but the main draw is obviously the replica Claptrap model. For the uninitiated, Claptrap is a talkative robot sidekick who’s defined by over-enthusiasm and a passive-aggressive persona. Most of the characters in the series hate the little guy, but it’s sure fun to watch him from the outside. $399 would be a pretty steep price for a basic Claptrap model, so it’s a good thing that this one can be controlled via a mobile app! He moves remarkably well considering he only has one wheel, and he’s sophisticated enough to balance on his own when he’s left idle. Claptrap’s eye also works as a camera, and you can cause hijinx by having him repeat your lines with his trademark voice. The model itself is surprisingly detailed and even the packaging is branded with in-universe logos from the Borderlands games. It’s the closest we’ll ever get to having a real Claptrap robot.