Yes special editions. Probably one of the last bastions against digital sales. Sometimes they’re great deals full of surprises, other times a complete waste of money, so let’s dig into 2010 special editions. Remember this’s a thread for special editions,not bundles like Monster Hunter Tri or preorder bonuses like the Taxidermist thing in Heavy Rain, so Did you get one of them??

Edit: For whatever reason this thread is repeated, Could some mod delete the other one. Thanks

January

Mass Effect 2: Collector’s Edition

A pretty nice aluminium case with a bonus DVD, and artbook, glossy comic book, 2 DLC codes and a prety nice sleeve. This edition is quite standard in quality and content, noting special but still pretty nice.

February

Bioshock 2

A huge box, with 2 posters, 1 soundtrack in CD, another soundtrack in LP, one DLC code and a really big artbook. Probably one of the best artbooks in gaming. The only problem? The box is way too big so it’s difficult to find a place for this thing; plus you’ll need grandpa’s turntable to check the soundtrack

March

God of War III: Ultimate Edition

Yeah our friends across the ocean had a better deal with this. Anyway a beautiful box crafted after the mytical Pandora’s Box, a documentary avalible only at the PSN network, a couple od DLC codes and an artbook. Honestly this edition looks nice but the box itself s kinda useless (well you can put Grandma’s ashes there I guess)

May

Alan Wake: Collector’s Edition

If Alan Wake is a writer.. well you get a book as extra content if the book is good or not that’s another thing. But also you get the soundtrack, a extra content DVD and free DLC. Overall the presentation is really good, not too big, easy to handle and really nice.

June

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker: Limited Edition 

Honestly this isn’t the best edition of the list. The package includes a sleeve case, an artbook (which is pretty nice TBH) and a bandana. For Metal Gears fans is really good but for the general audience not so much.

Deathsmiles Limited Edition

Well you got a faceplate filled with lol..... I can’t use that word right? Well you got a faceplate filled with females aged between 12 and 16, a soundtrack and .... that’s all. Pretty nice for the shmup fans.

August

Mafia II: Collector’s Edition

Again a nice edition, easy to handle doesn’t need much space. The content is the basic soundtrack (2 discs), artbook and exclusive DLC, also there’s a map of the city with retro ads from the 50’s really nice touch.

September

Halo Reach: Legendary Edition

Dear Lord this thing is huge. It’s one of the biggest packages ever used for a special edition, so what’s inside this monster? A sculpture of the Noble Team by McFarlande toys, the game, DLC content, a couple of letters, a diary filled with spoilers, a patch and a ID and yeah that’s pretty much all. The sculpture uses most of the space in this package so honestly if you’re not interested in the Halo Universe don’t bother.

DeadRising 2: Zombrex Edition

Hurrah Capcom is still making bad editions. Basically you get a thin cheap box with a band-aid (just one), a cheap pen, a prescription block, a little artbook, a promotional pamphlet (that’s ruined because of the package) and yes the DVD with extras... none of them worth it. On the bright side is better than the RE 5 special edition

October

Fallout New Vegas: Collector's Edition

Probably one of the best editions this year. The package is nice and easy to handle and it’s filled with goodies like cards, some poker chips, a DVD with the “making of” and a graphic novel. Really nice work with this edition, oh and the game is full of bugs.

Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Collector's Edition

Well this’s not the classic special edition, instead of getting everything in a separate box, the whole thing is attached to a single box, the artbook, soundtrack and game. It’s really nice and doesn’t take much space but the content is limitated. (and checking the artbook in this way is uncomfortable)

Fable III: Limited edition

The presentation for this edition is really good. A book with the game, a card set and a coin. On the DLC side you got a new region, a special quest, a dog and an outfit. To be fair this edition is rather poor in physical content but for the people that love to play this game, it’s ok.

November

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood: Collector's Edition

Honestly I’ve to say that the Jack in the Box contained in this package is really nice, looks really good and it’s quite unique, the edition includes also a Soundtrack, exclusive content and the little traditional artbook. It’s quite expensive and the jack in the box s not for everybody.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Prestige Edition

This’s the kind of games that people don’t buy for its art or music. So why bother with an artbook or Soundtrack instead put exclusive content, a fake medal and a RC car. So yes the car is a pretty nice toy, just like the night vision googles from last year.

Grand Turismo 5: Collector’s Edition

One of the biggest releases on the PS3 had its special edition, and yes it’s 100% focused to car lovers, including a 2009 Nissan GT-R Spec V model (Buy American people, BUY AMERICAN), also you get a key chain, a car guide, exclusive content and a certificate of authenticity, because you know piracy is a big deal in the PS3. If you love Grand Turismo you probably have this, I guess you even have 2.

 December

Epic Mickey Collector’s edition

WOW a Wii exclusive collector’s edition?? Yep, and honestly it’s not that good. The edition has a nice Mickey mouse figurine, a DVD documentary and some plates for your Wii and Wiimote. An artbook with the original art from this game would be better.

there is a rarer special edition of dead rising you could only get by ordering through capcom, with it you had a chance for a life size zombie with a token that came with it, and some other different stuff

Why doesn't MH3 count?  I consider it a special edition

Bundles are promotions between 2 o more companies (in this case Nintendi and Capcom) Special editions are produced by only one company.

How about the 25th Mario All Stars game? It's sort of a special edition.

I thought about that one, but to be a special edition we need a regular edition. Also I didn't include some niche games like Ys Seven and Mimana Chronicles, those games also had nice specials editions.

The SNES version would be the regular edition.

I should point out, in the UK (at least) the special edition of Brotherhood was the "Codex Edition" which is in a nice box and has some nice stuff in there, and is a good place to store my stuff from last years special edition. A good quality product, though I missed the statues from previous years, leaving me with only 1 statue of Ezio...

I am a bit of a special edition whore, and ended up getting ME 2, Alan Wake, God of War Trilogy!!! and Brotherhood