Think of the slew of limited-edition game releases in recent times and it should tell you exactly how popular bonus items are with game releases. Sure, game companies might want to release special DLC or in-game items – but statues, plaques, and other memorabilia is where it’s at.
One of the earliest games to have a collector’s edition was Myst. The ‘Limited Edition’ package was a modest upgrade by today’s standards but its special outer, solutions guide and ‘making of’ preview of their follow-up title, Riven, on CD-ROM combined with Myst‘s place in the chronology of video gaming makes it a prized possession for many people to this very day.
So if you’re curious about some of the greatest limited-edition items since Myst blew minds in 1993, check out some of these bangers.
Hyrule Warriors Treasure Edition (3DS)
Japan gets all the good stuff. Hyrule Warriors for 3DS is hardly a well-received game–in fact, it’s considered one of the worst versions of the game. On the other hand, it had one of the coolest collector’s editions around.
Packed into the package was not just the game itself, but also a golden ocarina (that worked!), and a Navi plush that shouts “Hey, listen!” There’s also a compass to help you find your way through the dungeons you encounter.
Halo 5 Collector’s Edition
Halo has always been a treasure trove of fantastic limited edition and collector’s items. However, Halo 5‘s limited collector’s edition content is something special, standing out amongst the bunch. In addition to the awesome packaging, it included a steelbook for the game itself, a metal Earth Guardian model, a physical dossier of Spartan Locke’s orders, and a massive statue featuring both Master Chief and Locke underneath an archway.
It’s one of the most impressive Halo collector’s editions out there, but an honorable mention goes to the Master Chief helmet included with Halo 3.
Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Controller
Resident Evil 4 is considered one of the greatest games of all times–and certainly one of the best in the Resident Evil franchise–but the experience can potentially be improved with a chainsaw. While not an “official” accessory, it was widely available and much sought-after by fans.
Of course, while it looks cool, it isn’t the easiest to use. Sure, you can play the game with it, but the controller is designed to be displayed rather than used. It’s a bit uncomfortable and hard to grip, and the buttons are not laid out in any logical order–but it looks amazing.
Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition
The Pip-Boy is an iconic part of the Fallout series, used to display all of the vital information about your character. It enables V.A.T.S., displays your health, inventory, and so much more.
The Fallout 4 Pip-Boy Edition came with a wearable Pip-Boy that you could slide your phone into and actually use to display information about the game. Was it unwieldy? Sure–but who cares? It’s a Pip-Boy you can actually wear on your arm. You could become Vault Boy. That’s awesome.
Steel Battalion
Steel Battalion is a game that puts you in control of a giant mech, similar in many ways to MechAssault–but it does so by providing you with the craziest dedicated controller the gaming world has ever seen. The controller has more than 40 buttons.
It requires players to go through a start-up sequence before you can even control the mech. There’s even a dedicated button for windshield wipers–and yes, you have to use them in-game. There’s a steep learning curve to the game, but it’s an experience any gamer owes themselves to try out.
That was our pick of the coolest limited-edition gaming items out there, but there’s good news: as the industry continues to grow and land more in the mainstream, collector’s edition become ever more incredible. Keep an eye out for upcoming collector’s items that catch your eye and make the investment–you won’t regret it.