Limited Expensive Editions

Limited Edition is a word that has slowly become mainstream for gaming culture everywhere. There are limited edition games, controllers, and even consoles - but in a world where everything is "limited", than what makes it special?

Metal Gear Solid 3DS recently announced

 I believe that the term "limited edition" has evolved over the past decade from something unique and special to a mandatory marketing ploy. This evolution has also encouraged game companies to skimp out on their limited editions, rarely living up to previous standards. For example, when Dead Space originally came out in 2008, EA offered an Ultra Limited Edition which really was limited - only 1000 copies were even made. The limited edition included the game, bonus DVD, art book, lithograph, and comic. In comparison, Dead Space 2's limited edition wasn't that limited, or that special. Only released 3 years after the first game, the sequel's limited edition included the game, "replica" plasma cutter, CD soundtrack, and a DLC voucher. This may sound like a lot, but the "replica" weapon is cheaply made, incredibly small, and overall dinky looking. It may light up, but it definitely is not a replica of the plasma cutter in the game (Unless Isaac is a midget?! Woah plot twist).

Either Isaac is a midget...

...Or this guy's a giant.

To me, limited editions should be something that are very limited (but accessible), special (but not overpriced), and collectible-worthy (not lame/cheap). One example of a game that does this extraordinarily well is Gears of War. Every game has come with a limited edition, available for those "hardcore" fans of the franchise and each limited edition has been better than the year before. The "Epic" edition for the final chapter in the Gears of War trilogy included special box with award COG, fabric COG flag, the personal effects of Dr. Adam Fenix, Marcus Fenix statue, a 96 page book about the game's art and design, and exclusive multiplayer characters and skins. The Epic edition didn't come cheap, but it was well worth the additional collectibles and game memorabilia.


Apart from the popular use of limited editions for games, it can also be a term to describe customized, themed hardware such as controllers or consoles. These limited edition consoles have been being released for quite some time. In my research I found several Playstations, Dreamcasts, N64s, and Original Xboxs that were offered as a limited edition, game-themed console. However, I really want to look at the Xbox 360's lifespan and the sheer amount of limited edition consoles.

Quite a few, eh? These consoles are all essentially the same Xbox 360: same specs, same hardware, etc. Yet these consoles are originally sold for more than the plain Xbox 360. This price rises drastically as the consoles become harder to find. These limited edition consoles are a direct marketing ploy to boost hype for a game, and to increase console sales. They make the player want to get a new console, even though the one they own may be perfectly fine. They also beg to ask the question, if every AAA game has it's own limited edition game and console, is it really that limited? Can I wait and buy this "limited" edition at a later time for cheaper? Is this limited edition really worth the extra money?

Gamers have to start shopping proactively, and show game companies that we demand high quality. Once we can demonstrate that we won't buy everything with a franchise name on it, then the landscape of gaming retail will shift and evolve to suit our spending habits.

As always,
LadySnip3r

PS. What do you think of Limited Editions (both games and consoles)? Do you buy them? What are some of your favorite and least favorite limited editions?