Limited Editions Are Bullshit

[Friendly]

And we all know it, yet we fall for it time and time again. Damn the collector in us.
Limited (aka collector's) editions used to be uncommon ten years ago. Now every other generic mainstream video game release has one.
In many cases, the word "limited" is a joke, considering that they aren't really limited at all. Artificial scarcity on the other hand is of course bullshit as well.
In reality, it's just about milking us.

That having been said, I'm guilty of purchasing a few LEs myself, for instance Cave's 360 releases, in order to get the extra goodies (longplays, soundtracks).
But I try to avoid "limited" editions of any mainstream games, as they are mostly just a waste of space/money. What good are huge boxes and small plastic trinkets? The game remains the same. The only exception this gen I can think of was EA's (opps, sorry) Dead Space 2 LE for PS3, which featured Dead Space Extraction HD on disc (which has to be purchased separately on PSN otherwise).

I think it's important to remind yourself every now and then that that limited editions are bullshit. Your wallet and your shelf will thank you.

[njiska]

Yeah, but I like my shelf to be full of gawdy things. I realize that most aren't really limited (that's why collector's edition should be used instead) and I don't instinctively buy all LEs, but if there's something I want in it I absolutely will. I have nearly every Cave LE released this gen simply because I wanted to guarantee First Print materials. The soundtracks however remain seal and in the box, as they should be. The same goes for the JP LE of BlazBlue Continuum Shift that I imported just to get the Noel Nedoroid or my Strike Witches LE or the giant ass-ed Uncharted 3 LE that came with a kind of crappy Drake statue, but also a cool ring and belt buckle.

The name limited edition is bullshit, but if you want what's in the box, than you want what's in the box.

[brentsg]

Your choices aren't adequate. Limited editions should be purchased for their content. Either the extra items are worth the money or they are not.

[Op Intensify]

I only buy them if the extras are worth it. Most recent one I passed on was the US Blazblue CS Extend LE: just a very incomplete soundtrack and some printed artwork already available in the game. They got a manga volume in Australia/Europe!

[Friendly]

I'll edit the options and you may re-vote.

[Jeneki]

Limited editions are not for me. I don't need more junk sitting around the house.

However, I don't begrudge their existence. Thanks to limited editions, "collectors" have something "rare" to horde, leaving the normal edition to sell for normal prices.

[Friendly]

However, I don't begrudge their existence. Thanks to limited editions, "collectors" have something "rare" to horde, leaving the normal edition to sell for normal prices.

Excellent point!

[xbl0x180]

I avoid them since they rarely have anything I'd like to see or have

[shmuppyLove]

I'm not too interested in the trinkets you usually get in collector's editions, but what I do like to look out for are GOTY or other re-releases that have additional content or combine multiple editions into one set.

Sure you gotta wait a bit after the initial release, but who doesn't have enough games to play anyway?

[Ruldra]

I'm not too interested in the trinkets you usually get in collector's editions, but what I do like to look out for are GOTY or other re-releases that have additional content or combine multiple editions into one set.

Sure you gotta wait a bit after the initial release, but who doesn't have enough games to play anyway?

This made me wish I waited more to buy Borderlands. I bought it a while after release and still didn't get to play it yet, now the GOTY edition is out and it includes all DLCs.

[guyot]

If there's cool stuff I'll buy it (lunar 1/2, Growlanser Generations, and so forth).
If there's exclusive DLC, not only won't I buy it but I won't buy the standard game on general principles, unless a goty or equivalent came out.

[Casey120]

Limited editions containing Super plays or soundtracks , yes please .


Figure's , helmets , metal boxes or whatever , no thanks !

[TransatlanticFoe]

Jesus, if something comes out in slightly fancy packaging for a couple more quid then I buy it. I buy it because I'm a sucker. This is mostly applicable to music though (as they're usually only £2/3 more), because as a Wii and PC owner for this generation, not a lot actually gets a limited edition release.

I don't really care about PC limited editions because why pay £40 for it when 3 months later the regular game is less than £20? What do you get other than the game? Usually some free DLC bonuses and an artbook.

I didn't buy Xenoblade's limited edition because it was just a classic controller bundle and was priced accordingly. However I did get The Last Story's because it had an artbook, soundtrack and steelbook for a whole £3 more than the regular edition.

Yeah, limited editions are bullshit. But there will always be sad bastards like me who are a sucker for something a bit shinier.

[Marc]

They are what they are, don't see the fuss. If you buy one with the intention of selling it on at a profit in a few years, you can't complain if that doesn't turn out to be the case. If you buy it because you like the extra stuff, then only you know whether it's worth it. I bought two this gen - Dark Souls and Deus Ex HR and am happy with both.

[DrTrouserPlank]

Cave's limited editions are ok because some of them do actually turn out to be reasonably limited or at least hard to acquire because the print run for the game isn't massive in the first place.

Your bog-standard western limited releases for a game that usually has a first print run of about 4 million copies are less attractive to me unless there really was something worth having. I'm not one for statues or whatever though.

On the whole though they seem a bit of a waste of money, especially given that most games are below £20 within a couple of months. The only way the LE's hold any value is if the game has some sort of cult following.

[spoot]

In reality, it's just about milking us.

Cave has to get even from you milking the bosses they programmed.

But yes, overall I agree......way too much "limited" crap that isn't limited at all or just for the most mundane/stupid ass game.

[RGC]

I ignore them. Then again, never knowingly bought anything limited edition. I suppress any primitive urges to 'display' because I'm that bloody superior.

[Friendly]

Not bad! 28% of us have remarkable resolve and/or are unaffected by primordial urges.

[Marc]

Not bad! 28% of us have remarkable resolve and/or are unaffected by primordial urges.

Woohoo for you!

[Ruldra]

Regarding the OP, I never bought a limited edition, but only because I never got interested in the extras offered. If the stuff is good enough and the price is reasonable, I see no problem paying for it.

The Apex Magazine included with GT5's Collector Edition did get my attention but the $150 price tag was too much for me. I did find a scanned version of it online but I hope I can get the physical copy someday.

[brentsg]

Not bad! 28% of us have remarkable resolve and/or are unaffected by primordial urges.

And what's the problem with people buying something that they want? If someone wants a bonus art book, some bonus CD, etc.. why not?

[Casper<3]

I usually buy whatever version has the cover I like best. I don't care for all the extra crap really.

[JBueno MD]

Only Limited/Collector edition I´ve ever went out of my way to get is the Zelda Majora´s Mask on N64 because of the hype back then. Years later I bought Tekken 6 LE (360), MGS PW LE (PSP),MGS HD Collection LE (360) and Diablo III only because I found those cheap and I like the artworks included. Oh and out of insistence by friends I bought Gears of War 2 CE too, funny it was actually cheaper than the regular version; it wasn´t my cup of tea, and I can´t seem to be able to get rid of it.

[mesh control]

Ruldra, shoot me your address and I'll send you my copy

I think the only LE I've felt was worth the money was Demon Souls.

[stryc9]

For me it's certainly a case by case decision.

I think the CAVE ones for instance are a little lacking, but on the same token if you are the type of person that goes nuts over soundtracks or the like then I wouldn't begrudge you at all from picking one up.

An example of a good one was the Asian region LE of SFxT, which was superior to the Japanese release(!), cos it came with a beautifully presented box with 48 metallic collector cards for each of the fighters in the game and some of there special moves, as well as bobble heads of Harada and Ono, and the obligatory soundtrack CD.

It wasn't ridiculously expensive, and one of the few times where I felt the extra cash I'de stumped up was actually worth it.

[Bee Cool]

It's different for every LE. I look at the price difference, how much I like the extras, and how much I actually like the game itself. Generally it's pretty rare that I buy an LE. I also should mention that I don't like the practice of giving exclusive game content for first print runs or special editions, nonetheless if I really like the game I'll swallow my distaste and get it.

Here are the Limited/Collector Editions that I have bought along with my reasons

Mushihimesama HD- I wanted a guarantee that I will have the 1.5 DLC and I thought the cover art of the SE was awful

Muchi Muchi Pork/Pink Sweets- I wanted a guarantee that I would get the MMP Matsuri DLC

Mushihimesama Futari- It's one of my favorite shooters of all time and I really wanted the 1.01 DLC

Dark Souls- It was on sale on Amazon for 10 dollars less than the standard edition, and I hadn't picked up a copy yet so I went for it

Grand Theft Auto IV- Best Buy (I know I know) had it 5 dollars cheaper than the standard edition (35 instead of 40 at the time), and I grabbed it. Has to be in the running for must useful LE I've had since I use the free tote bag almost every time I take stuff between my house and dorm and when I travel.

[Friendly]

Not bad! 28% of us have remarkable resolve and/or are unaffected by primordial urges.

And what's the problem with people buying something that they want? If someone wants a bonus art book, some bonus CD, etc.. why not?

Not a problem. Like I said, I have bought a few myself, so I don't belong to the group that totally ignores them - even though I would like to

Ruldra, shoot me your address and I'll send you my copy

You are one cool dude.

[Bloodreign]

I only own one LE of any game, Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence Limited Edition that came with bonus DVD's and the 2 original MSX games on said DVD's.

[njiska]

I only own one LE of any game, Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence Limited Edition that came with bonus DVD's and the 2 original MSX games on said DVD's.

And that's an ACTUAL Limited Edition. I actually had my pre-order cancelled due to lack of stock when I originally purchased it and had to go hunting for a copy.

[Zaarock]

One LE I sort of regret not buying is the Virtual-On Force Memorial Box.. came with a big artbook also with details on the VO games and two Tangram balls. Going to be hard to get now if I ever want to start collecting VO stuff