The Most Ridiculous Collector's Editions Ever Made

For decades, publishers have released physical video games, usually sticking to the $60 price point for AAA titles. In addition, there have been sought-after special editions of games like the Nintendo World Championships cartridge, but it wasn't until the mid-2000s, during the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era, that publishers really started focusing on the creation of limited and collector's editions.

Since then, it's seemed like nearly every major title has featured a collector's release. From 2019 games like Sony exclusive Days Gone and Death Stranding to more controversial collector editions like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Fallout 76, you'll be hard-pressed to find a AAA game without some sort of expensive bundle filled with statues and trinkets that almost no one needs. So let's take a look at some of the most ridiculous collector's editions ever made.

Hideo Kojima's upcoming Sony exclusive Death Stranding has spent the last few years in secrecy, only providing fans with small, cryptic pieces of information about the game's plot, characters, and gameplay. Thanks to a lengthy trailer that dropped a few days before E3 2019, people finally have an idea (sort of?) about what they'll actually see when Kojima's baby finally releases in November.

Speaking of "baby," that ties directly into the game's weird, wild collector's edition. Announced at the same time as the eight-minute trailer, Death Stranding's $200 special version features some in-game DLC, a cargo case, a keychain, and a bizarre, life-sized baby housed in a pod. While there's no clue yet about how these pod babies tie into the game, they are in fact a part of the experience, and that's why you'll get that strange statue in your collector's box. Of course Kojima and his team to put together an edition of a new game that leaves everyone with more questions than answers.

Whether you're in 2019 or you take yourself back to the past and remember the days of 2016, you can't give Hello Games and No Man's Sky a pass. Notorious for its overpromises, marketing speak, and overall deceptive development, this space exploration title didn't exactly adhere to its expectations after releasing in August 2016. Thankfully, many games don't die upon release these days, and Sean Murray's company had the chance to right some wrongs and create a title that people still talk about years later.

Oh, but no one's talking about the collector's edition these days, at least not in any positive way. If you recall, before the initial release, Hello Games paired up with Iam8bit to put together a special edition that included a gorgeous, hand-painted toy replica of a ship from the game. After an annoying six-month delay, fans received their collector's edition goodies — which cost $150 — and were disappointed because of their poor quality and wear-and-tear. Murray and co. didn't exactly have a great first year when it came to this game.

Naughty Dog and the Uncharted franchise have had a multitude of victories over the past ten-plus years. Through fantastic storytelling, voice acting, and gameplay, this action-adventure series has become synonymous with Sony's success. Protagonist Nathan Drake and his ragtag gang of explorers helped build a world that continues to resonate with fans today. Flashback to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, a game released in 2009, and you can see why this series has such a firm place in the gaming industry. While the standard title did enough on its own to garner positive feedback and a huge following, there's no doubt that its collector's edition made waves as well.

The acclaimed developer created a unique, rare collector's edition known as the Fortune Hunter Edition. Diehard fans of the series could only obtain this package through the PlayStation.blog site, PlayStation HOME (which no one has thought of in years), or through playing the game's multiplayer demo in September. Through these avenues, a lucky few obtained the rare edition that included an in-game replica of the Phurba Dagger, an art book, and a collectible case. Everybody else, though? Tough.

While fans haven't seen a mainline entry since 2011, F.E.A.R., a horror first-person shooter series, has been met with much reverence since the first game was released back in 2005. Nearing its release in May 2011, publisher WB Games announced a special collector's edition of F.E.A.R. 3, which followed the creepy, uncomfortable-looking statue trend. Like the Riptide special edition, this featured the basics, like a steelbook case and an in-game weapon, but also included one of the most haunting figures you'll ever see in one of these collector's iterations.

The edition included a seven-inch statue of a pregnant Alma Wade — the main antagonist of the series — complete with a glow-in-the-dark fetus. Unsettling to say the least, this came exclusively to UK regions, which means fans in the United States didn't have the pleasure (or horror) of displaying the motherly Alma on their bookcases. That's probably for the best.

For lovers of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, the past decade hasn't exactly treated them well. From disappointments like Downhill Jam to Pro Skater 5, the Birdman hasn't had much success lately. Perhaps the most egregious example of this comes in the form of Tony Hawk: Ride. Released in 2009 for the Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, this spinoff of the mainline series used a skateboard deck peripheral as the controller. Players had the ability to simulate riding an actual skateboard, as it used infrared sensors for motion detection. Through motion control, they could then turn, ollie, lean, and do tricks all based on the deck's movement. Small problem: it barely worked.

Upon its holiday 2009 release, Ride was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, as publications cited its poor peripheral and subsequently poor controls. GamesRadar even named it the worst game of the year, giving it a four out of ten. Even more embarrassing than the final reviews was publisher Activision's idea of a collector's edition. In the game's exclusive edition, the only new component was a "collector's" version of the skateboard controller, which ... featured a red base with an eagle print. Thanks, Tony.

Without a doubt, anything involving the Saints Row series won't be simple and straightforward. This franchise, often touted as a Grand Theft Auto clone, has its own oddball sense of humor that's separated it from that other iconic series. When it came to Saints Row 4, a multi-generation title that released in August 2013, even the collector's edition went way over the top when compared to other games of its stature.

Known as the Super Dangerous Wad Wad Edition, this one-of-a-kind release, made available only through UK retailer Game, featured a $1,000,000 price tag and some wild inclusions. For one, the "lucky" buyer received a full-size replica of the Dub-Step Gun, as well as first-class trips to Washington, D.C. and Dubai. The edition also included a Lamborghini Gallardo and a Toyota Prius — talk about contrast. Let's not forget about the hostage rescue experience and the Virgin Galactic space flight. Oh, and if that all wasn't enough, it also included a copy of the game's Commander in Chief Edition ... just in case you still felt like playing a video game after dropping a cool million.

Nov. 11, 2008 saw the release of Call of Duty: World at War, which was the fifth mainline game in the series and the first to return to the World War II setting after the success of Modern Warfare. Like most Call of Duty titles, the game featured an interesting collector's edition, although this one made waves in the industry because of its underwhelming value.

More than a decade ago, the World at War collector's edition included much of what fans are used to — pay-to-win features like weapons and double XP timeframes. However, this CoD offered gamers a now-notorious physical item: an eight-ounce, stainless steel canteen. On the surface, this canteen was a cool addition. Unfortunately, you couldn't actually use it to hold liquid or drink out of it. It was merely for show, rendering the $80 price tag annoying and unwarranted.

It hasn't been an easy road for Capcom's Resident Evil in recent years, but thankfully 2017's Resident Evil 7: Biohazard gave new life to the series. However, flash back to Resident Evil 6 and you'll likely remember that plenty of fans and critics weren't happy with the multi-story, shooter-focused take that the game had. Still, if you were a hardcore lover of the series — a diehard that wanted more than just the standard $60 package — the acclaimed publisher gave you the perfect, ridiculous option.

Not long before release, Capcom announced the Resident Evil 6 Premium Edition, which included a copy of the game, four branded tablet covers, and a replica of Leon's leather jacket. To be clear, this was a serious and wearable replica, one that upped the cost of the collector's edition to around $1,293 USD. No doubt, you could put together an amazing Leon cosplay if you grabbed this crazy package, but regardless, it was an absurd price for a game that didn't resonate with many people. Still, if you wanted to look like the game's main protagonist, Capcom gave you the option.

Remember Dead Island and its sequel Dead Island: Riptide? Well, developer Techland didn't end its zombie-centric game creations with those titles. In fact, it built upon them and created an arguably better game in Dying Light. Released in January 2015, this first-person survival horror game built upon the Dead Island series and added parkour elements, a dynamic day-night cycle, and a smarter, more interesting protagonist named Kyle Crane. And the industry gravitated to it, praising its combat and traversal.

And thankfully, Techland didn't make the same mistake that they did during the Dead Island: Riptide release. Instead of pushing a provocative, gross special edition, Dying Light featured a brilliant, wild, absurdly expensive collector's package. Announced in February 2015, this special My Apocalypse Edition featured a custom zombie-proof shelter, survival parkour lessons, night vision goggles, and even some adult diapers — you know, just in case fear got the best of you. This could all have been yours for around $386,000 USD.

You can't hate Codemasters for creating an addictive racing game during the 2010s, and that's exactly what the longtime developer did. Running on the Ego engine, Grid 2 combined multiple decades of iconic vehicles and dropped them in real-world locations like Paris, France. Thanks to its smart design and tight racing mechanics, the second iteration in the Grid series received mostly positive reviews while garnering a great deal of publicity thanks to its expensive, and unique, collector's edition.

Grid 2's Mono Edition made headlines because of its price tag and its contents. At the time setting the world's record for the most expensive collector's edition, this package included an actual BAC Mono supercar, a tour of the BAC factory, a racing suit, racing gloves, boots, and helmet. It also included a copy of the game and a PlayStation 3 console. This could all have been yours for $190,000 USD if you lived in the UK or had the clout to have it shipped overseas to the United States.

Surely, Atlus' dating sim-JRPG Catherine had no interest in being a run-of-the-mill video game that would appease Western audiences. Any game involving the developer/publisher behind the Shin Megami Tensei series certainly had some weird, wacky, and wild surprises up its sleeve. For the uninitiated, 2011's Catherine — due for a PS4 and Xbox One re-release in 2019 — featured puzzle-platforming mechanics sandwiched by deep dating simulation stages. 

Upon the game's initial release, players had the chance to purchase the Love Is Over Edition, which sold for $80 USD. In this collector's version, gamers received the game along with the normal trinkets like an art book and CD soundtrack sampler. However, thanks to its themes surrounding love and sex, this version also included a set of polka-dot boxer shorts, a provocative T-shirt, and a pillow case with a seductive image of the titular Catherine. You certainly weren't meant to play this game if you were under 17, and this collector's edition acted as a clear reminder of that fact.

Serving as a sequel to Techland's 2011 survival horror RPG, Dead Island: Riptide released in April 2013. While the game itself garnered mixed reviews, its Zombie Bait Edition certainly evoked a bigger reaction. Announced in January 2013 prior to release in the UK and Australia, this collector's edition had a pretty normal setup of items — a steelbook case, some DLC, and a special statue. Unfortunately, it was the nature of the statue that evoked negative reactions from fans and media alike.

For some reason, publisher Deep Silver thought the best idea for a collector's figure was a resin bust of a woman's bloody, bikini-clad torso. The hand-painted, 31-centimeter statue featured immense detail, hyper-sexualizing the idea of a gruesome, mangled body. After much poor press, Deep Silver UK issued an apology. The press release mentioned the team's commitment to never make a mistake like this again.

Are you familiar with Krater? If the answer is "no," then you're not at all alone. This PC and Mac role-playing game, developed and published by Fatshark, released in June 2012 to very mixed reviews. If you look at the current Metacritic score, this game sits at a 52, so not exactly a strong showing from this small team. Still, this dungeon-crawling RPG had its compelling aspects, the most news-worthy being its $10,000 collector's edition.

If you had money to spend and were insanely excited about Krater and its lead game designer, you had the opportunity to receive the former and meet the latter. Krater's Victor Edition cost more than a lot of used cars, but afforded you the opportunity to meet Fatshark's Victor Magnuson and also receive a copy of the game. With this edition, Magnuson would come to your own house, hand-deliver a copy of the game, play the game alongside you, and cook you a delicious meal. Being a self-proclaimed "great cook," the game's designer offered mystery dishes like a "Viking Burger" or Swedish meatballs. Not exactly as cheap as ordering takeout and playing the game, but it made for a fantastic story.

Chances are, you don't have any recollection of this PlayStation Vita title, but it definitely existed and included an interesting collector's edition. If you're unfamiliar, the Arksys-published Sorcery Saga released in the United States back in December 2013. Developed by Compile Heart and based on the original 1989 title, this RPG dungeon crawler didn't have a huge following in North America but received fairly decent reviews from the media. While it hit the somewhat struggling Vita, this game garnered positive feedback for its roguelike elements and well-crafted dungeons.

Still, one of its biggest highlights and oddest talking points is based on its collector's edition. Known as the Hot and Spicy, Everything Nicey Edition, this Sorcery Saga package featured a "kuu-rry" plate and "kuu-rry" spoon — presumably meant for easy curry dining — as well as a bib to help eliminate any food-based mess. For such an obscure, strange game, having an obscure, strange collector's edition actually made sense.