Collector's Editions

[Deleted]

I noticed the Otomedius Excellent special edition (with stain-resistant pillowcase) and figured I'd post a poll here.

What are your feelings about CE's or SE's? I've been trying to be more responsible and limit my monthly spending, but I still feel compelled to buy them for games out of collector's guilt. I need to remember that in most cases they'll be on sale on Amazon or at Fry's for about 1/5 the price in a couple of months, but it rarely works.

How about you? Any other addicts out there (aside from the obvious ones...hi Jason)?

[Catalyst]

Looking back on things I've bought the collector's editions of Batman: Arkham Asylum, Saint's Row 2, MvC3, GTA 4, and various Halo ones as well (though never the pricier versions of those, since those seem overpriced). And I just preordered Batman: Arkahm City with the full intention of paying more for the collector's edition when it gets announced as well.

[megatronbison]

Given most of the UK special editions are gimped versions of the USA/Japanese ones I usually feel too insulted to buy them. That and I have a small living space and paying £70+ for a stupid statue just seems...wrong.

[Discoalucard]

Sorta depends. I don't buy a whole lot of new games anymore, so more often than not I just wait until prices drop and then snag them. (Need to get the Dead Space 2 and Dead Rising 2 ones now that they've dropped to <$40.) Last one I got was Alan Wake for, also $40, which is something like half the cost when it came out. And Fallout: Las Vegas for $30 since Gamestop was clearancing them.

I did get all of the XSeed PSP Falcom editions day one though, because I dig them. I'll probably get the Otomedius SE at launch too just because YAY KONAMI but most of that crap will get stuffed in my closet where less people can judge me. (Not coincentally, that is the same place where my Deathsmiles and Agarest packs are...I never even opened Agarest, but eh, it was like $25 sealed.)

I should probably pick up Neptunia and Ar Tonelico, since they're out of stock at Amazon and they're still in numerous Gamestops around here, but the quality of those (especially Neptunia) appears to be in doubt.

[Ganelon]

If I like the game enough to buy it at launch and the LE isn't a silly figure/toy, then I'll buy the LE at launch.

[kitten]

damn it we all know what I picked

[susanismyalias]

I don't own a single collector's edition.

[Haz]

Me neither but I own some preorder/extras swag due to a friend who used to work at GameStop.

Chose the third option otherwise I wait for sales.

Regarding the Otomedius Excellent CE I hope Konami overproduces so I can get it for $10-20 bucks or some deal somewhere down the line. Game looks unfun and easy but I'd get it for the artbook.

[Deleted]

I hate Compile Heart games. I bought Record of Agarest War because it came with that ridiculous mouse pad in the CE. In theory, you should only buy a CE if it meets two requirements: It's for a game or series you absolutely love AND the bonus content is worth the extra money. Personally, I do it for one reason only...If I were a four year old boy and walked into my house, I'd want to be impressed by all the shiny boxes on the shelves.

I'll be getting the retarded CE for Otomedius...

[hidetoshidecide]

I like the idea, but I'm underwhelmed by the extras. Give me developer commentary or bonus content rather than embarrassing figurines or soundtracks.

[Deleted]

That's actually one of the things I find the most useless. Behind-the-scenes DVDs are the ubiquitous pack-in for most CE's these days, but what do they ever really tell you? They show you some boring pre-pro art, and then a bunch of idiots yammer on and on about how they had a vision, they worked hard, and that vision became a game. Well no shit, Sherlock. I never could have guessed.

I don't have the game myself, but my understanding is that Metal Gear Solid Integral came with a bonus codec frequency that allowed you to speak with the actual team that made the game, providing a sort of commentary track to each scene. That's the sort of thing we should be seeing more of.

[Jave]

The thing is, I'm cheap.

My fascination with collector's editions started and ended with CDs. The only one that's ever been worth my time was that Smashing Pumpkins greatest hits album where Judas O was the CE bonus.

[Discoalucard]

Jun 16, 2011 15:25:22 GMT -5 @jasonx said:

That's actually one of the things I find the most useless. Behind-the-scenes DVDs are the ubiquitous pack-in for most CE's these days, but what do they ever really tell you? They show you some boring pre-pro art, and then a bunch of idiots yammer on and on about how they had a vision, they worked hard, and that vision became a game. Well no shit, Sherlock. I never could have guessed.

The Bioshock "making of" was actually really good. It was fairly long (45 mins-ish?) and while it could've used more cutaways than some of the designers sitting in front of the same set, it actually provided quite a bit of insight into how the game became what it was.

I don't think I've seen one as good as that one, though. There was one with Mass Effect but I remember it being underwhelming.

[Deleted]

Jun 16, 2011 14:54:20 GMT -5 Ganelon said:

If I like the game enough to buy it at launch and the LE isn't a silly figure/toy, then I'll buy the LE at launch.

Some are just nuts. The "top tier" Disgaea 4 one is something like $120, with the extra $60 going toward something like 5 or 6 small figurines. The least they could have done was throw in a rubber stamp for you to use on your forehead that says "I'll never get laid." But it's NISA, so it's totally for a very specific demographic (weeaboos).

The kind of LE's or CE's I hate are the ones with really screwed-up packaging. Like Arkham Asylum---where the hell do you put something like that? Problem is that the game comes in a less-durable cardboard/plastic case too, so you're kind of forced to keep it.

[justjustin]

I've never bought a collector's edition anything, but that might change if I get the one for Dark Souls. Seems to be the same price as the standard version, at least on Amazon.