"Collector's edition" games - trully collectible?

[drogosan]

I'm thinking of starting a Fallout collection since I freaken' love this series, but am just wondering about the value of pursuing Fallout 3 Collector's Edition. I've noticed quite a few games come in a "Collector's Edition" version, but are they worth it from an investment perspective?

[PapaStu]

Games, like any other mass made items are rarely ever worth it from an investment prospective. Fallout 3 LE was not a 'rare' collectors edition. The games release was too big for that to be the case. Heck, Amazon had them on sale about a month ago for like 30 or 40 bucks.

[Nate Nanjo]

Assassins Creed is really the only Limited/Collectors edition that I haven't seen many of, or have been really cheap.

[Sniderman]

Yes! They are! I keep them next to my still-polybagged comics (especially all of the cover variants of X-Force #1!); my still-tagged Beanie Babies; and my boxes and boxes of POGs!

:roll:

Sorry man, you lost me the moment you uttered the word "investment."

[smork]

Who invests in games, anyway? For everything you buy that goes up in value by $50 you buy 10 games that go down by $30 each. You're better off asking strangers for money than investing in games and expecting to make a profit.

Collectability? Not really there with most LEs. Game companies love the LEs but it seems like they always produce way more than demand. I think the Halo 3 LE is more common than the "unlimited" edition - at least that overpriced helmet crap version.

[drogosan]

Yes! They are! I keep them next to my still-polybagged comics (especially all of the cover variants of X-Force #1!); my still-tagged Beanie Babies; and my boxes and boxes of POGs!

:roll:

Sorry man, you lost me the moment you uttered the word "investment."

Some of us collect for different reasons!

[jb143]

Of course they're collectable. That doesn't mean they'll be worth a lot someday though. I kind of doubt most "Collectors Editions" of anything will be more valuable than the normal edition though. That tag usually cheapens things to me but doesn't mean I still wouldn't collect it if that's what I collected. It's rarity but moreso demand that will determine monitary worth, and you really can't speculate on that.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Some of us collect for different reasons!

I guess they don't have to be good ones or even grounded in reality either. :D

If I've said it once, I've stated it a thousand times... Want an investment? Buy gold and/or silver (you know, real money) and wait for that lovely thing called hyperinflation to kick in. Or dig a trench and throw your money in it and set it of fire. Whatever flips your hushpuppies.

I dig the metal case releases. I waited until I could find a LE of FFXII for cheap... Then there is Devil Summoner 2. The only release, AFAIK, is a real LE of 50,000. If I'm mistaken, I'd like to be corrected here.

[Robocop2]

I'd say buy CE if you like the addl content other than that no they're more a marketing gimmick

[ScourDX]

These day collector edition is not what they used to. Company charge extra $10-15 for game with bonus DVD.

[DKTheArcadeRat]

Who invests in games, anyway? For everything you buy that goes up in value by $50 you buy 10 games that go down by $30 each. You're better off asking strangers for money than investing in games and expecting to make a profit.

Collectability? Not really there with most LEs. Game companies love the LEs but it seems like they always produce way more than demand. I think the Halo 3 LE is more common than the "unlimited" edition - at least that overpriced helmet crap version.

For Halo 3, the "rarity"(as far as I have been able to tell) generally goes with the standard being easiest, then the Legendary Edition with the helmet, and then the Collectors Edition in the metal case being the harder one to find. But I haven't really seen Legendary Editions since GameStop got rid of them, I found one at ToysRUs though for $20 not long ago.

[TonyTheTiger]

Then there is Devil Summoner 2. The only release, AFAIK, is a real LE of 50,000. If I'm mistaken, I'd like to be corrected here.

Last I heard, people have reported their copies are numbered well over 52,000. I wouldn't be surprised if 60,000 is the magic number which, in all honestly, is quite high for something that was marketed as a collector's item.

This is one of those things that makes me chuckle a bit. Not because I take some snide pleasure in watching people learn that their recent purchase won't appreciate in value but rather because I find it funny that publishers, particularly ones like Atlus (which I don't even qualify as "niche" anymore), know how to manipulate their consumers.

Some collector's editions I actually do have an interest in and always look out for at Gamestops because they don't price used special edition copies higher than normal ones. The problem is that the two I'm looking for (Mass Effect and Tales of Vesperia) are actually not easy to find.

So I don't think all collector's editions or limited editions are just a marketing scheme. But it's actually not too hard to figure out which are and which aren't. Some limited edition is only being sold online? Probably something with a genuinely smaller print run. Some "limited edition" on the shelf in noticeably large quantities? Clearly a marketing ploy.

[DKTheArcadeRat]

Agreed, Some are truly collectable. Like the online only package of Skate 2 with a skateboard, which they made very few of. Or the Ultra Limited Edition of Dead Space.

[Nebagram]

I will admit I get CEs where I can but by no means for the collectibility- I just like the little extras (the Big Daddy figure with Bioshock was a particular highlight for me).

[RPG_Fanatic]

I'm thinking of starting a Fallout collection since I freaken' love this series, but am just wondering about the value of pursuing Fallout 3 Collector's Edition.

I was at Walmart yesterday and they still have the fallout 3 lunch box CE. So they can't be that rare.

[otaku]

seems most of them are far to common so much so that prices actually fall and stock piles up. They can still be worth it though and collectible for the sake of the cool goodies you get. But to truly be collectible and retain value it needs to be rare with a limited # produced.

[Daria]

I find it funny that publishers, particularly ones like Atlus (which I don't even qualify as "niche" anymore), know how to manipulate their consumers.


A brand new game for $40 packaged with a stuffed toy. They could have printed 100,000 copies and I'd still think the collector's edition was a good deal. Same goes for Fallout, the bobble head and lunch box are fucking awesome.

What I hate are the not so limited LE's that tack on an extra $10 or $15 for a sound track CD or mini "art book" and then package it all in a card board slip case that's sure to get damaged eventually.

[j_factor]

It really depends on the game. Last I checked, Border Down LE was worth quite a bit more than the standard version. And all it has is a soundtrack CD.

[Nikademus1969]

I've seen collector editions of the first Atari Neverwinter Nights game (the one with the shirt) go for over 100 on ebay.

[TonyTheTiger]

A brand new game for $40 packaged with a stuffed toy. They could have printed 100,000 copies and I'd still think the collector's edition was a good deal. Same goes for Fallout, the bobble head and lunch box are fucking awesome.

What I hate are the not so limited LE's that tack on an extra $10 or $15 for a sound track CD or mini "art book" and then package it all in a card board slip case that's sure to get damaged eventually.

I never said it wasn't a good deal. It was certainly a good enough deal to warrant a purchase of my own. But being drawn to an item because it's priced well is very different from being drawn to that same item because it might appreciate in value over time. The latter situation is what I'm talking about. Atlus seems to know how to draw in those people even though they're actually printing 50,000+ instead of a smaller number that would qualify as genuinely rare. At first, I think people were expecting a print run no larger than 20,000. And Atlus, for obvious reasons, had no interest in dispelling that misconception. Atlus isn't actively deceiving anybody but they aren't stupid. They know how to play their hand. I actually applaud them for being so good at it as I would probably do it too if I were in the same position.

[The 1 2 P]

I'd say buy CE if you like the addl content other than that no they're more a marketing gimmick

Thats all collectible/limited/special editions are today: marketing gimmicks. I remember not too long after Street Fighter IV and Resident Evil 5 came out, there was a member on this board telling people to buy the special verions of each(for $90) before they disappeared. Now those same limited versions can be found in Best Buy for the same price as the regular editions, sitting side by side.

If you like collecting special editions for the bonus content(like I do), then by all means buy them. But buying them for investment purposes only is pretty stupid. If you didn't know before, you know now because we are telling you exactly what 99% of them are: a marketing gimmick that isn't very collectible/limited/special after all. And considering these c/l/s editions cost $10-70 more than the regular versions(only to come down to equal or cheaper than the regular version in a few months) I'd definitely recommend against getting them when they are first released.

[Nikademus1969]

I buy collector/limited editions of games that I like because the added stuff appeals to me. If it actually gains value, it's a bonus but that's not why I get it.

[Queen Of The Felines]

The only one I've ever seen increase was the Bioshock LE, and that's probably because most of the included Big Daddy figurines ended up breaking during shipping (or something like that).

[SegaAges]

The best LE I have seen for the current gen systems is Skate 2. I think they put out like 500 of these across both systems and they came with a full size skateboard. I got one of these. The board is still in the generic box it was shipped in.

[Solertia]

I only buy limited/collector's editions when they are offered for the same price as the regular game (like anything released by NIS and Atlus, and recently BlazBlue (FANTASTIC deal)). I like getting the extra stuff, and especially like that they come in cardboard boxes :) (cardboard boxes > plastic cases imo)

[Bojay1997]

The best LE I have seen for the current gen systems is Skate 2. I think they put out like 500 of these across both systems and they came with a full size skateboard. I got one of these. The board is still in the generic box it was shipped in.

It's funny, but I don't consider that to be a limited edition. The game itself is just the regular version and there are hundreds of thousands of them out there. The skateboard is limited, but it's just an additional item that was sold with the game as a collectible. Unless you collect skateboards, it's not really that interesting. It's kind of like those Ghostbusters LE packages on Amazon. The game is the regular version and then they just put some extra stuff in the shipping box generically packaged. To qualify as a CE or LE, I think everything needs to be packaged in a single box and there has to be some difference in the outer packaging of the game. Otherwise, any piece of pre-order swag or promo item specific to a game would make the game a limited edition.

[Ed Oscuro]

Whoa, I'd actually like that Skate LE, or at least to see it (owning sporting equipment I can't or won't use only adds to my lameness quotient so I'll have to pass for now). That does sound nifty, but it's firmly in the category of "swag." At least it's potentially useful (although I wouldn't be surprised if it's made with cheap components that would have a dedicated plank connoisseur turning up their nose, or an ankle when trying some difficult trick).

I think that the CE tag only may be meaningful on things that are generally trashed once bought (i.e. consoles), or packaged with desirable materials (I'd still like to get the HL2 collector's edition actually). For the vast majority of these "CE" packs I think they fail:

- Not a good bang:buck ratio compared with the old fashioned low print run game

- No proven track record of desirability (and some arguments against it; I've mentioned the 1995 crop of Topps limited editions, "Black Gold" and the like, as the final straw)

- Too close to the age of DLC anyway ("collector's editions" will soon just be "you get some piece of cardboard to make you feel better about having a virtual asset that may be stolen or lost at any time")

As everybody's saying, it's seems to be madness to talk about "investing" right now and then turn around and use that to justify a current-gen gaming habit. There's good deals to be had on older games right now, I'm sure, but old fashioned stocks are offering some crazy opportunities right now.

[MoreEbolaForYou]

i sold the collectors edition of morrowind, pc version, on ebay last winter for like 80 bucks. i think the regular version goes for about 10.

[kaedesdisciple]

Has anyone ever reported finding a Kobayashi-signed copy of the LE DMC4? Reports said that there were 100 signed each for the 360 and the PS3.

[erehwon]

Has anyone mentioned the MGS3 CE? I thought that one was rather limited.

[Therealqtip]

MGS3 Subsistence or whatever in the red case that is truely a collectible rare item. I can't remember how many were made but they're like really expensive now, I think...damn if I only I picked one up at Wal-Mart when I could.

EDIT:

Has anyone mentioned the MGS3 CE? I thought that one was rather limited.
Damnit you beat me to it.

[Therealqtip]

For Halo 3, the "rarity"(as far as I have been able to tell) generally goes with the standard being easiest, then the Legendary Edition with the helmet, and then the Collectors Edition in the metal case being the harder one to find. But I haven't really seen Legendary Editions since GameStop got rid of them, I found one at ToysRUs though for $20 not long ago.

I actually had a CE of halo3 but got rid of it, I had all the stuff in it also I shoulda probably kept it seeing it's harder to find :/

[kaedesdisciple]

I actually had a CE of halo3 but got rid of it, I had all the stuff in it also I shoulda probably kept it seeing it's harder to find :/

I still own it, my biggest gripe with it is the quality of the case. It's a cheap tin case that dents very easily and the discs fall out at the drop of a hat.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Before this generation, Limited Edition and Collector's Edition didn't really mean much. Take the Resident Evil 4 (PS2) and Halo II (Xbox) steel tin releases as a prime example, where it is likely more copies of these exist than standard edition copies.

However, with the X360 and PS3, these terms seem to hold tight, with many LE's and CE's either holding their value well, or even increasing above RRP! They truly are limited, and are worth collecting, as they become very sought after and scarce quite quickly. Some more than others.

Some do tend to depreciate rather quickly though, such as the Alone In The Dark box set and the tin version of Perfect Dark Zero, so it's hit and miss really and you have to really choose wisely if investment is your main concern.

[Daria]

i sold the collectors edition of morrowind, pc version, on ebay last winter for like 80 bucks. i think the regular version goes for about 10.

The Collector's edition retailed at $80. So it didn't increase in value.

[SegaAges]

Yeah, I just threw the skate 2 one out there just because I have seen a shit ton of special/limited/collector's editions where all it is, is just random swag that gets thrown in and they make a shit load of them.

I just counted this because even though it comes in a generic shipping box with the game, the only thing that separates this one from many others out there is the fact that it does not come in some magical CE box or whatever (and the fact that the shit was limited as hell).

[JSoup]

If I go in to get a game and I find that the LE/CE version is available for a few dollars more, what the hell, why not. About the only game I can think of that I'd get the LE/CE version for is the Metroid Prime Trilogy, as I love the series art direction.

[Ed Oscuro]

I just counted this because even though it comes in a generic shipping box with the game, the only thing that separates this one from many others out there is the fact that it does not come in some magical CE box or whatever (and the fact that the shit was limited as hell).
And also that it's the main item from the game...good luck getting Master Cheef's armor or a gun with your game, for instance (cheesy plastic helmets don't count of course)!

[Bojay1997]

Before this generation, Limited Edition and Collector's Edition didn't really mean much. Take the Resident Evil 4 (PS2) and Halo II (Xbox) steel tin releases as a prime example, where it is likely more copies of these exist than standard edition copies.

However, with the X360 and PS3, these terms seem to hold tight, with many LE's and CE's either holding their value well, or even increasing above RRP! They truly are limited, and are worth collecting, as they become very sought after and scarce quite quickly. Some more than others.

Some do tend to depreciate rather quickly though, such as the Alone In The Dark box set and the tin version of Perfect Dark Zero, so it's hit and miss really and you have to really choose wisely if investment is your main concern.

I'm guessing that being outside of the US, you don't really have a good handle on our market since all you really see is inflated Ebay prices or listings for games that never sell. With the exception of literally 5-6 CE/LE games released in the last two years, every single CE/LE has gone down in value, some as low as 1/3 of the launch price. Heck, there are Best Buys all around the country selling Resistance 2 CE, Madden 09 CE, and many other CE games for 50% off. Other than Bioshock, MGS 3 CE, Ninja Gaiden Sigma for PS3, and maybe a couple of others, none of the CE/LE editions released over here have held or appreciated in value. People know they are artificial collectibles that aren't rare and most people don't care about making-of DVDs or DLC or special weapon or character codes months or years after a game comes out.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

I'm guessing that being outside of the US, you don't really have a good handle on our market since all you really see is inflated Ebay prices or listings for games that never sell. With the exception of literally 5-6 CE/LE games released in the last two years, every single CE/LE has gone down in value, some as low as 1/3 of the launch price. Heck, there are Best Buys all around the country selling Resistance 2 CE, Madden 09 CE, and many other CE games for 50% off. Other than Bioshock, MGS 3 CE, Ninja Gaiden Sigma for PS3, and maybe a couple of others, none of the CE/LE editions released over here have held or appreciated in value. People know they are artificial collectibles that aren't rare and most people don't care about making-of DVDs or DLC or special weapon or character codes months or years after a game comes out.

I was speaking more generally about my native market (UK PAL), but yea, you do have a point that I should've made it clear that the same may not apply for the US market. Bearing in mind though that the US is a much bigger place and many more units are produced than they are for the UK / European market, which is probably why things which are in short supply over there are stretched even further, so the real rarities seem much rarer, and the general LE's and CE's are more plentiful than those which we receive over here

LE's and CE's in the UK and Europe are a different story. Some are far rarer and limited than others, and those which are very limited (Such as the Dead Rising SteelBook) are quite sought after and seem to hold their price or have increased in value (In terms of brand new and sealed copies)

[The 1 2 P]

MGS3 Subsistence or whatever in the red case that is truely a collectible rare item. I can't remember how many were made but they're like really expensive now, I think...damn if I only I picked one up at Wal-Mart when I could.

I've never heard any official numbers on this and Kojima purposely withheld this information for some reason. Does anyone have any concrete evidence on a rough estimate of many of these are out there?

[zemmix]

There's one CE of a game that came out within the last 5 years or so thats worth a lot more than it sold for. The original World of Warcraft Collectors Edition with an unused key goes for around $1000 last I've checked. Mainly because of the three in game pets you can't get elsewhere.

Aside from that I don't think any CE is really worth it. I got Halo 3 (the one with the helmet) for less than half what they wanted originally. Sucks if you bought one full price. Nice looking helmet though they are practically worthless.

[kupomogli]

FF12 collector's edition/regular edition. Which one is more rare? Neither are rare and I'd assume the regular edition isn't because it can still be found new, but which one currently has more sales if that can be found out?

[FFX]

What about Street Fighter IV CE ? seen some of them go for +$100 on eBay...

[Therealqtip]

I've never heard any official numbers on this and Kojima purposely withheld this information for some reason. Does anyone have any concrete evidence on a rough estimate of many of these are out there?

The number was in my PSM magazine like 2-3 years ago whenever it came out I'll go look it up some time when I have the chance.

Heyyy, look at that 200th post

[norkusa]

I love the DJ Max games for PSP and they've also got some of the slickest & most elaborate collectors edition sets I've ever seen. The rarest is the DJ Max Fever 'Crew Edition' which came in a special box that was autographed by the entire team. Only 125 were made and they were only available for pre-order on Bemanistyle.com for $130.

I think the autographed Orpheus set was limited to 30 copies but the packaging was the same as the unsigned version.

[Bojay1997]

I love the DJ Max games for PSP and they've also got some of the slickest & most elaborate collectors edition sets I've ever seen. The rarest is the DJ Max Fever 'Crew Edition' which came in a special box that was autographed by the entire team. Only 125 were made and they were only available for pre-order on Bemanistyle.com for $130.

I think the autographed Orpheus set was limited to 30 copies but the packaging was the same as the unsigned version.

The Crew Edition is the perfect example of why speculating in LEs is foolish. Literally half of the copies sold ended up on Ebay the next day after they were received and most sold only for what the original MSRP was and the rest didn't sell at all. Even now, they barely hit $125-$130 and when you consider shipping and tax was extra and the Ebay and Paypal fees, some of the speculators lost even more money on the resale. The fact that a number of the outer boxes got damaged in transit from Korea to the US before they even shipped to buyers was another disappointment and made me glad I didn't waste my money on it.

[The 1 2 P]

What about Street Fighter IV CE ? seen some of them go for +$100 on eBay...

Maybe when they first came out but you can usually still find these new in Best Buy(and other stores) for the same price as the regular one. It's not very limited and some of them have ended for as low as $30 brand new on ebay during the last two weeks.

[FFX]

^I am referring to the PS3 US version, not sure if its available on stores anymore because I don't leave in the US, but I can't find it online.

[Spartacus]

I'm thinking of starting a Fallout collection since I freaken' love this series, but am just wondering about the value of pursuing Fallout 3 Collector's Edition. I've noticed quite a few games come in a "Collector's Edition" version, but are they worth it from an investment perspective?

I wouldn't "invest" in a video game period. The number of video games that increase in value is so miniscule it's hardly worth playing that game. But if you enjoy Fallout, by all means treat yourself to the collector’s edition if it's something you would personally treasure.
The arcade stick from Tekken 5 and the watch from Growlanser Generations Deluxe are the only things I've ever pulled out of a limited edition game that I thought were remotely useful. But if you enjoy a game, the usual trinkets like art books, cell art, music CD's or bonus DVD's can remind you of the enjoyment you derived from playing it. And the different case or cover art tells everyone who sees it on your shelf that it's something you care about.



MGS3 Subsistence or whatever in the red case that is truely a collectible rare item. I can't remember how many were made but they're like really expensive now, I think...damn if I only I picked one up at Wal-Mart when I could.

I don't know how many Limited Editions of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence were produced, but you can take your pick of several listed on Ebay any day of the week. Availability isn't much of an issue. The Buy It Now prices I've seen have prevented me from opening mine. On one hand, I'm amused at the thought of what a $39.99 game might fetch someday. On the other hand, I really can't enjoy it. I know just peeling off the shrink-wrap will reduce its value by half, so it just sits around and reminds me that I'm not immune to greed.

The only collector's edition I'm aware of that you won't find easily is Nascar 07. Be it the PS2 or the Xbox version, you’re going to need a lot of patience to run across one of those. The good news is that you will probably find it cheap, if you can find it at all.

[Iron Draggon]

I tend to avoid LE/CE unless they include something extra that I'm actually interested in, like the 10th anniversary coin that came with the JP version of Sonic Adventure 2 for the Dreamcast... otherwise they're about the same as GH games to me... more often than not, all they are is the standard edition with LE/CE printed on them where the GH would be if it was a GH version... and it seems that standard editions usually end up being more rare anyway!

[HYB]

I remember the Dreamcast having great LE's, shame that most of them were JPN exclusives (SC5:2, SoA, JSR etc.). I feel that very few LE's compare these days. If I can get a LE for the same amount or a few bucks more and I was planning to get the game anyway I'll take it. I do collect the LE's for the games I want though, even getting multiplatform releases if there are two versions available (i.e. the Assassin's Creed LE, I have the big statue one for the PS3 and I'll get the tin case for 360). I only collect pal releases though so many us only LE's don't interest me, minus the Castlevania ones.

Still, with videogames it's a hit and miss on what increases in value and what doesn't. I wouldn't buy LE's solely for money, but because I enjoy them.

[b0ub0u]

When I think of real LE's the only ones that come to mind right now are low prints like shmups and the likes...

Border Down LE is pretty pricey, so is Karou etc..

But mass production "LE" like Halo, GTA IV, Assasin's creed, I couldn't care less about those.

[TonyTheTiger]

The term "limited edition" is just like "all natural." It's one of those things that really ends up meaning jack shit but is designed to make most people associate the product with something good. "All natural" isn't really limited by much. Everything is natural at some point in the cycle. Just like every product is limited in some way. Even the most common item is technically "limited."

It seems like video games jumped on the buzzword bandwagon relatively recently. Does anybody know what was the first game that did the whole "limited/collector's edition" thing? I'm not talking just special packaging like Earthbound. I mean the first game that made a point to announce that it was a limited/collector's edition item.