What do you think are some of the BEST 'Special Edition' game releases?

[Emperor Megas]

Going back as far as you need to, what do you think are some of the best Special Edition's released? That is, using your own criteria, which releases really impressed you? Also, what's the best Special Edition that you personally own?

Some Special Editions give you bonus content that's on the disc, or in some case downloadable content, while some offer an art book, or music CD. Some come with little toys and/or figures, or calenders, etc., others come with really impressive (albeit expensive) bonuses like replica weapons, and ornate treasure chests -- these usually demand a fairly high price though. Not everyone goes for the same type of bonus swag, and many don't care about the stuff at all and just think it's junk, but a lot of us appreciate Special Edition bonuses, so I was wondering what some of your favorite Special Editions are, whether you actually own them or not.

I think that the Catherine: Love is Over Special Edition is pretty impressive. I don't recall how much it originally released for, and I certainly wouldn't have paid whatever it was, but it did come with a TON of cool novelties. An art book, a pair of boxer shorts, a t-shirt, a pizza box, and a pillow case. Even though the standard edition is cheap now I still don't own a copy of the game because I know at some point my s/o will surprise me with the Special Edition.

As for the best Special Edition I own, I'm sort of drawing a blank at what Special Edition versions of games I own. I don't usually get the ones that have huge things like that Spartan Helmet that came with HALO 3's (not so)Limited Edition release. I usually go for the ones that just have tin style cases and/or bonus discs, and things like that.

[xelement5x]

I love special editions, but only if there is actual value to the stuff that I'm getting.

Working Designs gets props in my opinion because they really brought the concept of the "special/limited edition" game to the forefront for console games. I really like the Growlanser Generations set because it has some very unique extras, but think that Lunar 2: Eternal Blue for the PS1 is the best one that they did. It combines a lot of cool things that are neat to look at/play with, with not being too over the top.

NIS America and XSEED have done a really good job with modern releases. The XSEED releases of the PSP Ys games are awesome in art and extras, and NISA has been very cool by releasing online only versions of their games that aren't cluttered up with a bunch of text/SKU/screenshot garbage. The Meruru and Neptunia Mk2 boxes come to mind specifically because they're just boxes covered with cool art.

I tend not to buy ones with just a statue and an extra DVD, I don't just need something that'll collect dust. I like LE versions that have artbooks and soundtracks instead. However, I will admit I'd love to get a copy of the Dead Space Ultra Limited Edition or the Uncharted 2 Fortune Hunter Edition without spending a mortgage payment.

[Aussie2B]

As nice many US special editions are, pretty much all of my favorite special editions are Japanese, which tend to be much nicer yet, albeit usually a lot more expensive too.

As far as practicality goes, I like soundtracks and art books. I enjoy looking through art books (if it's good art at least, if it's completely generic moe anime-style art, then meh), and soundtracks I'll rip and put on my iPod (after I've played the game, as I don't want to spoil the experience of hearing the music for the first time in-game). I'm a big fan of game music and collect soundtracks in general, so if I can get a "free" soundtrack when I buy a game rather than drop $30 to buy the retail OST release in Japan, that's always nice. Of course, pack-in soundtracks in the US are usually "Best of" selections, so that blows.

Stuff like standees, playing cards, calendars, etc. are probably going to just live in the box. I probably won't do anything with a t-shirt either since they're always a men's fit and too huge for me, plus the collector in me doesn't want to wear them out. Figures are pretty nice. I'll typically drop them on a shelf somewhere.

As for my favorites, well, I do really love all of the tri-Ace limited edition Japanese sets I have. There's the one for the original Valkyrie Profile with its beautiful pocket watch, the Valkyrie Profile 2 set with its wide assortment of nice stuff (soundtrack, art book, keychain ring, figure, alternate cover, etc.), and the Star Ocean: First Departure PSP set, which perhaps doesn't count for this topic since it includes the system too but it's such a lovely color and design for the PSP and the soft case is also both attractive and useful.

[StealthLurker]

Generally speaking, I really don't care much for "Special Editions"... especially modern ones. For one they don't seem very special or limited and tend to come in terrible packaging with a bunch of junk I don't really find interesting.

Artbooks and music CDs are nice, but really depends on the game for me. The last thing that slightly impressed me was the "LE" for SF x Tekken with the little arcade machine coinbank.

Off the top of my head.... other stuff I have that sorta impressed me were the Japanese PS2 15th Anniversary Hyper Street Fighter box. So much more well done than the western release. Movie came on a separate disc with case and had all sorts of miscellaneous little novelties. Also the Cyberbots LE box for Japanese Saturn was quite impressive. Valis Complete for Japanese PC was kinda neat too.

Now I'm not sure if this was a "Special/Limited" Edition, but this one definitely impressed me when I got it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/jviloria/Sept2012/2a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/jviloria/Sept2012/2b.jpg


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[Nophix]

COD4. I love playing with the night vision goggles!

Wish I would have got the Black Ops bundle with the ex spy car.

My Starcraft 2 limited edition is pretty awesome as well. The USB dog tag with the original Starcraft and Brood War is cool. Memories galore in that game.

[Crystalian]

Bioshock's done right by me. A Big Daddy and 3 song cd with the first one. A vinyl record of the soundtrack and a bunch of swag in a sweet big black box for the second one. I'm not going to throw $150 at the epic Bioshock Infinite Collector's Edition though. I am sorry that I missed out on the Atelier Meruru pre-order set; a mistake I'm still trying to rectify. I liked the Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky pack. Most recently, the Kirby Dream Collection for the Wii. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on the pre-order Pier Solar either. A lot of modern day games are pushing the envelope with their collector editions in recent years. A friend of mine got the COD: Black Ops Prestige edition with the RC Car! Lots more I can't think of right now...

[The 1 2 P]

I don't usually get special editions until they are on clearance but one that I got on release day was Alan Wake. This limited edition had a collector's book, game soundtrack disc(and the soundtrack was pretty good), a bonus disc with trailers, interviews and a commentary track to play during the game. On top of all of that, it included for free the first of two paid DLC episodes. It was one of the best all around values I've seen for a limited edition, especially considering it didn't cost much more than the regular edition.

[wingzrow]

Earthworm Jim for SEGA CD

It added redbook audio, new levels, new level layouts, a hilarious ending entitles "what are worms?" if you beat the game on easy, and another congratulatory messaging saying you're the best if you beat it on hard.

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

So far, the psp Black Rock Shooter with figure is my favorite.

[Bubble_Man]

I recently got the special edition of Prey in a used game lot and was somewhat impressed by its artbook and pewter figurines.