Game pricing is a controversial topic. In an effort to keep gaming prices at sixty dollars, publishers employ a variety of tactics including season passes and other forms of DLC. Another popular tactic is the collector's edition of new releases to beef up the offering for higher price. These often come with physical goodies and collectibles.
Most of them are not worth the extra money, though fans might appreciate the included models. However, the ten listed below are truly ridiculous. Some of these seem like they are in on the joke, while others honestly believe the product offered is a reasonable bargain for the price. Just let us pay money for a disc to play the game.
10 Fallout 76
Not only was Fallout 76's launch a disaster in the game, but the Power Armor edition prompted a small controversy as well. Buyers were promised a canvas duffle bag with the game. However, fans ultimately received a cheaper nylon bag and were not made aware of the change beforehand. Bethesda's response to the complaints were criticized. At least Fallout 76 is in a better state these days.
9 Resident Evil Code: Veronica
This Resident Evil title was a premiere title for the Dreamcast and came with several different editions. Pre-orders were specially marked and numbered. However, a special S.T.A.R.S Edition was also made, which came with a specially designed Dreamcast. Only 200 of these exist, making them particularly rare. We understand scarcity in order to drive up demand, but 200 is especially small to the point of barely even existing. Code Veronica would eventually get re-released for the PS2 as Code Veronica X.
8 Destiny 2
For $250 players could buy a version of Destiny 2 that included numerous goodies including a solar blanket, which are designed to keep the wearer particularly warm.
We suppose it helps for those engaging in long, cosy gaming sessions during harsh winters. The punchline to all this is the game's eventually transformation into a free-to-play format. Destiny discs are now virtually useless.
7 FEAR 3
The first F.E.A.R. is a horror classic which blends genuine terror with intense FPS action. F.E.A.R. 3 loses the horror with a focus on cooperative gameplay. The scariest thing about the game is the model that came with the collector's edition; a pregnant and naked Alma. While it relates to the game's story, it is most certainly not something even the most ardent fans would want to display in their living room.
6 Dying Light: The Following
For a cool ten million dollars you can buy the Spotlight Edition of Dying Light: The Following which includes a bevy of goodies. In addition to the open-world zombie game, buyers receive acting classes, a role in the Dying Light movie that never happened, a trailer on the set of the film, and much more. This was obviously more of a PR stunt than a serious offer, but we wonder if Techland would have delivered if someone was serious about buying it.
5 Mass Effect Andromeda
What is more ridiculous than a $200 collector's edition which includes an RC car based upon a vehicle from the game? How about the same collector's edition but without the game. We understand fans wanting to buy merchandise relating to the game to show their love, but to advertise this as a game purchase and not include the game is simply insulting. It is better to call this a limited edition; limited by its lack of any playable game. Unfortunately, this was one of the lesser controversies surrounding Mass Effect: Andromeda.
4 Resident Evil 7
Resident Evil 7 was a glorious return to the series' survival horror roots. To celebrate this, a special collector's edition was announced which included a model of the Baker's farmhouse where the first part of the game is set.
Not only did this version also lack the game, but the actual model of the house arrived broken, prompting further orders to be canceled and refunded. At least it did not interrupt purchases of the actual game.
3 Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
The Call of Duty franchise is no stranger to collector's editions, but Modern Warfare 2 had one of the wilder bonuses. A special edition of the second game under the Modern Warfare brand came with a pair of night vision goggles. Since the tool plays a big part in the gameplay, marketing thought it would be a cool toy. It mostly just comes off as ridiculous.
2 Saints Row IV
The WadWad edition of Saints Row IV includes a whole bevy of bonuses for the gamer with a lot of money to burn. At the end of the day, what other edition can claim to take the buyer on a trip to space? In addition to this, they also get several luxury vacations to places all over the world. The best part about it is it also comes with the game. Knowing Saints Row, this package definitely fits in with the series' sense of humor.
1 Dead Island Riptide
All the aforementioned bundles are ridiculous, but mostly harmless. This one is straight up offensive. The centerpiece of the Zombie Bait edition is a bust of a woman wearing a bikini, missing all of her limbs and covered in blood. People were quick to point out the misogyny and sexualized violence of the bust. Only being available in Europe and Australia, North American gamers were spared this embarrassing statue.