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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.