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Though 2013 hasn't even begun, BioShock Infinite's Collector's Edition, appropriately named the Ultimate Songbird Edition, has already set the bar really high for competitors. The Limited Edition, which was announced last month, is a collector's dream, and features more trinkets and baubles than few games can ever hope to deliver in one package.

There is, however, one core element to the Ultimate Songbird Edition — the Pièce de résistance, if you will — that has helped make this one of next year's most sought after Collector's Editions. We are, of course, talking about the 13-inch Songbird statue that ships in its own specialty box along with a copy of BioShock Infinite, and the various aforementioned trinkets.

And it is that Songbird statue that is the focus of the video above, which features Irrational Games' Ken Levine talking about the design of the piece, and how meticulously detailed it is. Accompanying Levine's narration is an up-close look at the Songbird — one of BioShock Infinite's menacing (but potentially misunderstood) villains.

In the game, the Songbird is obsessed with protecting Elizabeth, the supernatural individual our protagonist Booker DeWitt has been sent to rescue. In a lot of ways, the bond between Elizabeth and the Songbird is as complex as the relationship between the Big Daddies and Little Sisters in the first BioShock, and there's no denying the design of the Songbird is equally as iconic.

BioShock Infinite Songbird Statue

This Songbird statue is right up there with the Connor statue that shipped with Assassin's Creed 3 and the dragon from Skyrim's Collector's Edition, but it's also equally as expensive at $149.99. Whether or not gamers will be willing to fork over $149.99 for the opportunity to own a replica of the Songbird is another issue entirely, but hopefully this video helps them decide one way or the other.

Have you pre-ordered or do you plan on pre-ordering the Ultimate Songbird Edition of BioShock Infinite? Do you think that the Songbird was the appropriate character/enemy to preserve in statue form?

BioShock Infinite releases February 26, 2013 for the PS3, PC, and Xbox 360.