Top 10 Worst Video Game Collector's Editions
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#10: Enemy Zero (1996) Limited Edition “Enemy Zero” (1996)
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Obviously not the worst on this list, but probably the creepiest. “Enemy Zero” was a survival horror adventure game released for the often forgotten Sega Saturn in 1996. So it’s understandable if you don’t remember it. What is most memorable about it, however, is its highly exclusive collector’s edition. For the price of $1,700, you could get 1 of 20 literal crates of goodies hand-delivered to you by the game’s director, Kenji Eno. It came with some of the expected items like a t-shirt and an in-game weapon replica. What’s landed it on this list is the incredibly gross enemy model that came with bodily fluid and the exact leather outfit worn by the game’s booth girls from the Tokyo Game Show. See? Creepy.
#9: Call of Duty: World at War Collector’s Edition “Call of Duty: World at War” (2008)
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“Call of Duty” has known several worthwhile collector’s editions that feature exciting trinkets, but this surely isn’t one of them. For this 2008 release, the collector’s edition came with a logo-engraved canteen. This would have been a decent collectible if it could actually be used. Sadly, it was sealed shut for whatever reason, meaning it was only good for sitting on a shelf. Not only that, but the collector’s edition also came with the perk of earning double XP for the first week online and access to a high-level machine gun. If you paid a bit more, $70 on PC or $80 on Xbox 360, you’d get to upgrade everything quicker than others. So, it was unfair on a couple of levels.
#8: Destiny 2’s Collector’s Edition “Destiny 2” (2017)
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Bungie’s sci-fi FPS franchise is no stranger to disappointing its fans. And while the second game made definite improvements on the first, it didn’t bring that same insight to the collector’s edition. While it did come packaged with some wonderful artwork, it also came with a clunky solar-powered USB charger, some stickers and other easily losable knickknacks, and an ugly frontier bag. We’d be able to forgive this one and put it under the “not for us” category if only it didn’t cost a whopping $250. It came with access to expansions as well, but those would be far cheaper down the line to those who waited.
#7: Fable II’s Limited Collector’s Edition “Fable II” (2008)
The case of the limited collector’s edition for “Fable 2” is an interesting one as it might not have appeared on this list had it included everything it promised. But alas, here we are. Originally, fans could pay $80 to receive DLC, a behind-the-scenes DVD, five art cards, and a small figurine of Hobbe. This version was cancelled last minute due to supply issues, with even the special box not making the cut. The revised version dropped $10 in price and still included the DVD and DLC codes, but the damage had been done. To make matters worse, some Xbox 360 copies shipped without the DLC codes. So Microsoft had to do damage control for already dissatisfied fans.
#6: Limited Edition and Legendary Edition “Halo 3” (2007)
Both collector’s editions of this otherwise incredible Microsoft title had significant drawbacks upon release. The legendary edition’s main perk was the replica of Master Chief’s helmet, which many fans may have been surprised to shell out $130 for only to find out they couldn’t wear it. While it still probably looks cool on a shelf, being able to put it on would’ve been much sweeter. More significant was the literal damage done by the Limited Edition. For $70, fans received the game, art, and a behind-the-scenes DVD in a steelbook case. Unfortunately, the plastic holding the discs in place was poorly designed and caused the game to come lose during shipment. And eager players opened the box to discover their coveted game was scratched.
#5: Batmobile Edition “Batman: Arkham Knight” (2015)
Similar to that of “Fable 2,” the 2015 conclusion to the “Arkham” series was meant to feature a collectible that sounded insanely cool. Suitably called the Batmobile Edition, a fully transformable version of Batman’s ride was featured in this $200 limited edition. However, due to what was described as “unforeseen circumstances that greatly compromised the quality,” this version was cancelled last-minute. Fans were given full refunds and could’ve picked up the other collector’s edition for $100, which featured a colorless statue of Batman. But as the Batmobile Edition was cancelled so close to release date, there probably weren’t any left of that version. Which means that fans who chose to give Warner Bros. more money sadly missed out on something extra special.
#4: Japanese Collector’s Edition “Final Fantasy XIV” (2010)
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What’s worse than a canteen you can’t use? A tumbler that teases you can use it, but really can’t. This collector’s edition exclusive to Japanese retailers came with a ton of cool smaller items. Among the typical artwork, behind-the-scenes DVD, and keychain was the bundle’s signature item: a tumbler with the logo on the side. However, a closer look at the box revealed a warning against putting salt, carbonated beverages, juice, dairy beverages, or anything solid inside. That still left tea and water, for ¥9,480 (around $112 US). You had one job you damn tumbler, how can you not what a simple glass can accomplish?
#3: Power Armor Edition “Fallout 76” (2018)
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Oh, “Fallout 76.” So much promise, so many problems. Putting aside how many players were disappointed with the game itself, Bethesda seriously screwed up with the massive Power Armor Edition. Coming in at $200, this version came with a map, 24 mini figurines, a helmet, and what was supposed to be a nice, canvas bag. However, when it was shipped to customers, they were understandably enraged to receive a cheap nylon one instead. But the company’s response made things even worse. Essentially, they knew they had to replace the bag due to supply constraints and neglected to tell anyone. The price has understandably dropped since then, but it was still an incredibly callous thing to do.
#2: Zombie Bait Edition “Dead Island: Riptide” (2013)
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Note to game companies everywhere: if your collector’s edition is clearly going to offend an entire gender, it’s probably best you don’t make it. Available in Europe and Australia, the Zombie Bait Edition of “Dead Island: Riptide” came packaged with a bloody, dismembered torso of a bikini-clad woman. And the immediate, intense outrage across the internet was palpable. Everyone from games journalists to casual fans called out publisher Deep Silver for featuring a collectible that was so obviously a display of sexualized violence against women. The company had to issue an apology to everyone, but that didn’t stop them from selling it.
#1: Game Not Included Multiple Titles
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Of all the awful aspects a collector’s edition could bring, the most egregious act a company can commit is to exclude the actual game. We’ve seen this happen multiple times, such as the $270 collector’s edition for “Mass Effect Andromeda,” which was really just an RC car. Or the $100 Panzerhund Edition of “Wolfenstein: The New Order,” which came with the in-game enemy statue and an empty steelbook case once you bought the game. It’s hard to imagine who would want a collector’s edition that didn’t include the game. And we’d like to think companies have learned, but even “Red Dead Redemption 2” received a $100 collector’s box of goodies, but no game. They’re just an insulting way for companies to earn more money.
