Epic Loot Or Epic Letdown?
Collector’s editions are like treasure chests; some hold legendary loot, while others leave you questioning your life choices. These overpriced relics of an era when people still bought physical games were all the rage back in the day. Based on fan reactions and a dash of infamy, we’ve put together a list highlighting the coolest ones first, followed by the ones that crashed harder than a day-one patch. Let's dive in!
HALO 3 Legendary Edition Unboxing! + Halo Live Concert by Game Music Collective by TheRelaxingEnd
1. God Of War Ragnarök Collector’s Edition
Smash open this 2022 box, and boom: Thor’s hammer, full-sized and ready to flex. You also scored carved Norse totems and a SteelBook worthy of Valhalla. It wasn’t just loot—it was a myth in a box. Odin’s probably still salty that you got one.
God of War Ragnarök - Collector's and Jötnar Editions Unboxing | PS5 & PS4 Games by PlayStation
2. Persona 5 Royal 1 More Edition
Ever wanted to rob reality in style? Released in 2022 through Shop Atlus, the 1 More Edition includes Akechi’s tote bag, a complete tarot deck, and SteelBook. Everything comes packed in a velvet-textured treasure chest styled for Phantom Thief royalty.
Persona 5 Royal: 1 More Edition and Phantom Thieves Edition Unboxing by Nyarly
3. Horizon Forbidden West Regalla Edition
In 2022, Guerrilla Games dropped a jaw-dropping edition that felt straight out of the post-apocalypse. The Regalla Edition has a massive Tremortusk statue with intricate tribal detailing, a replica of Aloy’s Focus, and art prints that brought the game’s rich lore to life.
4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Collector’s Edition
Geralt fans hit the jackpot in 2015 with this massive box of monster-slaying glory. The centerpiece was a hand-painted, highly detailed statue of Geralt battling a griffin, perfectly capturing the game’s epic feel. Toss in a steel book, and you have a collector’s edition worthy of any noble.
5. Street Fighter 6 Mad Gear Box
No fight stick included—just flair and Capcom’s signature arcade energy. Released in 2023 for $249.99, the box delivers two detailed figures, an art book, diorama boards, and a sticker set. It is designed for display and turns your shelf into a miniature battle arena.
Unboxing the Street Fighter 6 Mad Gear Box by Jam Casual
6. Doom Eternal Collector’s Edition
Picture it: 2020, the gates of Hell open, and you’re handed a full-size, wearable Doom Slayer helmet. Alongside it comes a lore book thick with carnage, a cassette soundtrack channeling retro rage, and striking display packaging. No fluff. No filler. Just pure demon-slaying devotion.
Unboxing the Doom Eternal Collectors Edition Box Set from Bethesda! by MCE
7. Unicorn Overlord Collector’s Edition
Strategy meets splendor in Vanillaware’s 2024 collector’s release for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Switch. A 16-bit-style art book, a 2-CD soundtrack, and regal packaging are included. Every piece reflects the studio’s signature hand-drawn aesthetic and commitment to high-fantasy worldbuilding.
This Is My Kind Of Game! Unicorn Overlord Monarch Edition Unboxed & Impressions! by Madlittlepixel
8. Persona 3 Reload Aigis Collector’s Edition
The year is 2024. SEES is back, and so is their most iconic android. Front and center stands Aigis, perfectly sculpted and ready for display. Alongside her: a hardcover art book, soundtrack CD, and box built for The Dark Hour. Time to awaken your shelf.
My MASSIVE Persona Collection & Unboxing The Persona 3 Reload Aigis Edition! by Gwyn Collects
9. South Park: Snow Day! Collector’s Edition
Cartman’s beanie, a snow globe, tarot cards, and a talking toilet paper holder. This collection embodies all things South Park—loud, crude, and full of humor. Forget subtlety; it’s all about embracing wild humor and satire.
Exclusive Peek at the South Park Snow Day Collector's Edition Unboxing by Unboxing Plus
10. Halo 3 Legendary Edition
What’s better than finishing the fight? Displaying your helmet afterward. This 2007 edition is packed in a scaled Spartan helmet, two bonus discs loaded with extras, and a SteelBook case. It turns your room into a war room, making collector’s editions feel like trophies, not trinkets.
Why Every Halo Fan Needs the Master Chief Helmet by Ben Rambles
Having explored the flawless victories, let's examine the ones that miss the mark so badly that they become legends for all the wrong reasons.
1. Fallout 76 Power Armor Edition
Spend $199.99 and get a bag made from broken dreams. In 2018, Bethesda hyped a rugged canvas duffel and delivered flimsy nylon instead. Fans rioted, and the “apology” was 500 Atoms—just enough to buy a virtual fern. Post-apocalyptic? More like post-quality control.
Fallout 76: Unboxing the Power Armor T-51 Helmet Edition by IGN
2. Assassin’s Creed Limited Edition
Released in 2007 for $69.99, this oversized tin housed a barebones package that missed the mark. The contents? A flimsy 8-page strategy manual, low-quality comic prequel, generic making-of DVD, and a static Altaïr figure with no articulation or base. It left fans baffled.
Assassin's Creed Limited Collectors Edition Ps3 unboxing by Show Me The Stuff Inside
3. Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition
The 2009 edition came with night vision goggles that seemed cool at first but barely worked beyond being a novelty. Along with the goggles, you got a SteelBook, art book, and game, but the goggles were more disappointing than impressive.
4. Resident Evil 6 Premium Edition
Capcom went full fashion in 2012, offering Leon Kennedy’s leather jacket as the crown jewel. Fans also got four generic smartphone cases and a plain box with no flair, figure, soundtrack, or art book. It launched as a Japan exclusive, leaving Western fans and collectors scratching their heads.
Resident Evil 6 Leon S. Kennedy Premium Leather Jacket Review by REVIEW TWINS
5. Catherine: Love Is Over Edition
What collector’s box comes with underwear and a side of shame? In 2011, Atlus delivered this infamous set featuring Vincent’s polka-dot boxers, Stray Sheep T-shirt, heart-shaped pizza box, game disc, and soundtrack. Collectible? Debatable. Value? $79.99 and plenty of blushes.
CATHERINE - LOVE IS OVER DELUXE EDITION UNBOXING - CHARGE BACK FORWARD by ChargeBackForward
6. Dead Island Riptide Zombie Bait Edition
In 2013, Dead Island Riptide’s Zombie Bait Edition lurched onto the scene with a gruesome, dismembered, bikini-clad female torso, covered in blood and missing its head and limbs. Meant to capture the game’s horror vibe, it instead sparked outrage, being labeled misogynistic.
DEAD ISLAND RIPTIDE ZOMBIE BAIT EDITION UNBOXING by A 2 Z Of Gaming
7. Fable II Limited Collector’s Edition
The 2008 edition promised exciting goodies like a Hobbe figure and in-game content that had Fable fans ready to venture on an epic unboxing. But when launch day arrived, what did they get? The promised Hobbe figure was omitted.
Fable 2 Unboxing (NEVER RELEASED edition) by G4X
8. Destiny 2 Collector’s Edition
At first, the $250 game felt like a guardian’s dream: a slick messenger bag, a solar blanket, a USB charger, and other survival-themed goodies, all wrapped in the promise of a premium experience. But as time went on, Destiny 2 embraced a free-to-play model. What’s the point of the exclusive price?
Destiny 2 - Collector's Edition Unboxing by GameSpot
9. Dragon Age: Inquisition Inquisitor’s Edition
Imagine dropping $170 on a game, expecting a trove of treasures worthy of Thedas. Instead, the so-called "epic" haul included a map that arrived looking like it had barely survived a Fade rift and lock picks better suited for a child’s Halloween costume than any daring dungeon dive.
Dragon Age Inquisition - Inquisitor Edition [ UnBoxing ] by TheGamingBeaver
10. WWE 2K20 Collector’s Edition
This edition, released on October 22, 2019, for $129.99, was hyped as a must-have for wrestling fans, offering exclusive signed memorabilia from legends like Edge and Kurt Angle. However, the real smackdown came when players fired up the game; it was riddled with bugs and glitches.
WWE 2K20 Collectors Edition Unboxing with Very Special Guest by Genny Box
