2010 Collector’s Edition Awards Nominations
Looking through the release list for this year it seems that there are no more CE releases scheduled for the remainder of 2010, it’s time we look back at what CEs were released throughout 2010 and honor those that stand out.
Consider any CE released in 2010 eligible or any award. Please submit your Votes for the following categories:
1. Collector’s Edition of the Year.
2. Most likely to appreciate in value.
3. Best CE for a New Franchise.
4. Best Box Art.
5. Best Bonus Item.
6. Best Unboxing Experience.
7. Most Unique Package Design.
8. Most Unique Bonus Item.
To vote simply reply to this thread, with 1 game listed per category. Only 1 vote per person per category.
Once all the votes have been collected a small panel of judges will consider the elected games and determine the winners.
1. Collector's Edition of the Year - Bayonetta Climax Edition AUS version
2. Most likely to appreciate in value - Demon Souls Black Phantom Edition
3. Best CE for a New Franchise - Alan Wake Collector's Edition
4. Best Box Art - Starcraft 2 Collector's Edition
5. Best Bonus Item - Super Mario Galaxy 2 Limited Edition Tin
6. Best Unboxing Experience - Gran Turismo 5 Signature Edition
7. Most Unique Package Design - Gran Turismo 5 Signature Edition
8. Most Unique Bonus Item - Metal Gear Solid peace walker bandana
1. Collector's Edition of the Year. - StarCraft 2 CE
2. Most likely to appreciate in value. - Mario Collection Limited Eidition
3. Best CE for a New Franchise. - Alan Wake CE
4. Best Box Art. - Gran Turismo 5 CE (sleek and elegant)
5. Best Bonus Item. - Vinyl record from Bioshock 2 CE
6. Best Unboxing Experience. - Fallout New Vegas CE
7. Most Unique Package Design. - StarCraft 2 CE
8. Most Unique Bonus Item. - Record of Agarest War's endowed mouse pad.
1. Collector's Edition of the Year - Bioshock 2 Special Edition
---For me this hit all the important bits, it had wonderful cover art, a really sturdy large format box, it included a real soundtrack disc, a full-sized art book, additional in-game content, and one of the most unique and functional bonus items this year. It might not have been the best in every category, but it was a strong contender across the board.
2. Most likely to appreciate in value - World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Collector's Edition
---if past WOW editions are any indication, this one will appreciate as well.
3. Best CE for a New Franchise - Alan Wake Collector's Edition
---really nice CE, perfectly appropriate for the game, almost no competition in this category.
4. Best Box Art - Heavy Rain (Special Edition)
---Considering I almost NEVER import games and considering I'm primary an Xbox collector... the fact that I imported this because of the cover art speaks volumes.
5. Best Bonus Item - Bayonetta Climax Edition AUS version: Guns
---One of the very few CE's that I'm envious of... simply bad-ass bonus item.
6. Best Unboxing Experience - Halo Reach Legendary Edition
---This was the only CE this year where I felt they really made an effort to make the unboxing part of the whole game experience. Even the styrofoam was dyed and embossed with a game related logo and it included fake documentation playing it off as if the included statue was a replica of a real statue produced by a fake company from the game World... I honestly don't like the Halo series but this CE IMO would be a strong contender for CEOTY with the detail they put into it.
7. Most Unique Package Design - Castlevania Lords of Shadow Limited Edition
---A lot of people hated this but there is no denying that it's "unique" as in there is no other CE released (that I know of) designed like this. For those of you unfamiliar with this CE... the Art Book is integrated with the disc holders.
8. Most Unique Bonus Item - Record of Agarest War The Really Naughty Limited Edition: MousePad
---Completely useless but easily the bonus item that strikes up the most conversation among my friends who see my collection. it's probably not the only well-endowed mouse-pad in the world, but AFAIK it's the only one that has ever been bundled with a CE, certainly the only one bundled with a CE that doesn't use a mouse.
Speaking from a PAL collector's point of view:
1. Collector's Edition of the Year.
Whilst Halo: Reach (Legendary Edition) looked impressive, deep down it was pretty much nothing but the bulk of the statue.
Fable 3 and Alan Wake had different takes on the same idea, but Fable 3 pulled it off slightly better. However, it was all mostly filling material and very little else.
Likewise, God Of War Trilogy (Pandora's Box) and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Codex Edition) shared a similar idea, although the former was then let down by Sony who subsequently released GOW 1&2 separately TWICE, leaving collector's feeling hollow and short in the pocket
Gran Turismo 5 was eagerly awaited, but spoilt by the fact that the Signature Edition didn't feature the Collector's Edition as a basis, which left the more elaborate and expensive edition feeling slightly empty
Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow received a welcomed CE, but lacked any substance, and would have been better if the American CE and European CE were joined.
Monster Hunter Tri came in two flavours, although the Treasure Chest looked and felt very flimsy. The same can be said for Alien Vs Predator.
Dead Rising 2 saw several different CE's, although I felt that they should have been packaged together to make a perfect set
SteelBook's and DigiPak's came and went, so nothing special there. The Wii saw several nice first party CE's, but nothing really spectacular that we hadn't already seen in 2009...
My Top 3 CE's for 2010 would have to be:
3) Call Of Duty: Black Ops (Prestige Edition)
How do you follow up 2009's most elaborate CE? With an even more elaborate CE! This Prestige Edition ticked all the right boxes and did everything right. The lesser Hardened Edition was included as standard, as well as a nifty remote controlled car and extras! The only question is, how will Activision follow this up in 2011?
2) Fallout: New Vegas
Beautifully presented, which is to be expected from Bethesda after their last Fallout CE. Good quality CE, lots of extras, and definitely one of the nicest CE's to date
1) Bioshock 2
My nomination for best CE of 2010 has got to be Bioshock 2, simply for the sheer attention to detail and level of fan service applied! So much crammed into this amazing CE, which is a pleasure to sift through again and again!
2. Most likely to appreciate in value.
Hmmm, hard one. I would definitely have to say the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Codex Edition). It's already selling for more than twice its RRP, and Assassin's Creed fans are devoted to the series! Fine aesthetical looks and good quality workmanship, coupled with unique bonus DLC mean this could be one to watch!
Worthy of a mention is also Fallout: New Vegas, where the UK releases are very limited and also numbered
3. Best CE for a New Franchise.
Not really many to choose from due to the majority being sequels, but I would have to say Alan Wake is worthy of a mention. Like TS says above, virtually no competition in this category
However, I would have to definitely nominate Bayonetta (Australian Climax Edition) for this title, simply because it is such a beautiful package! (Just a pity the goodies were split for the European release)
4. Best Box Art.
My Top 3:
3) Monster Hunter Tri (Pro Controller Edition)
Gorgeous blue artwork depicting the game. Simply beautiful!
2) Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow (European CE)
Amazing artwork is to be expected from the Castlevania franchise. This is no exception.
1) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (GAME exclusive pre-order money tin)
Amazing artwork from the front all the way round to the back! Mario has never looked better!
5. Best Bonus Item.
Call of Duty: Black Ops (Prestige Edition) - There's no denying the fact that a remote control car with wireless audio and video isn't cool! Makes artcards and soundtracks look naff in comparisonWorthy of a mention would have to be Bioshock 2's 12" vinyl soundtrack, which is just something special in itself
6. Best Unboxing Experience.
I would definitely have to nominate Bioshock 2 again for this award! So much packed into such a small box. Lots of beautiful and relevant items, rather than DLC code cards which companies like EA seem to favour in their LE's... Again, attention to detail and fan service make this an enjoyable CE to unbox!
7. Most Unique Package Design.
It would have to be a toss up between Fable 3, Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Money tin), and Monster Hunter Tri (Treasure Chest Edition) - However, the money tin design was previously seen in 2009 for New Super Mario Bros, and the Fable 3 book design was just a better version of something that Alan Wake tried to pull off several months before, so I would definitely have to nominate Monster Hunter Tri (Treasure Chest Edition) for this award!
8. Most Unique Bonus Item.
So many to choose from, be it a remote control car, 12" vinyl record, poker set, model toy car, extra peripherals, bonus Dvd's, CD soundtracks, figures, artwork books etc...
For me, the most unique bonus item has got to be the syringe pen from the Dead Rising 2: Zombrex Edition set, which really made me think "Wow! Haven't seen that done before! How clever!"
1. Collector's Edition of the Year - Halo Reach
2. Most likely to appreciate in value - Assassin Creed Codex
3. Best CE for a New Franchise - Alan Wake
4. Best Box Art - Lunar: Silver Star Harmony Limited Edition. Xseed is following the Working Design Footstep.
Other worth mentioning
Deathsmiles collector edition
5. Best Bonus Item - Call of Duty Black ops Prestige Edition. RC is fun and it has a built in camera
Other worth mentioning
Dead Rising Highstake edition poker set. If you win the grand prize, you'll get Bert the Zombie
6. Best Unboxing Experience - Halo Reach. It is like opening a box of Weapon of Mass destruction. LOL
7. Most Unique Package Design - Blizzard Starcraft 2 & WOW Catalysm. Blizzard usually makes the best CE.
Other worth mentioning
8. Most Unique Bonus Item - Record of Agarest War The Really Naughty Limited Edition MousePad & sleeping pillow
Other worth mentioning
Splinter Cell conviction preorder bonus
1. Collector's Edition of the Year. . . . Bioshock 2 Special Edition
2. Most likely to appreciate in value. . . Castlevania Lords of Shadow
One of my contacts at Gamestation told me there were only 90 allocated to them countrywide . . .some pre-orders didn't make it, apparently.
3. Best CE for a New Franchise. . .Alan Wake LCE
4. Best Box Art. . .Vanquish lenticular cover
5. Best Bonus Item. . .Bayonetta Scarborough Fair Replica Gun
6. Best Unboxing Experience. . .Gran Turismo 5 Signature Edition
7. Most Unique Package Design. . .Alan Wake LCE
8. Most Unique Bonus Item. . .Dead Rising 2 Zombrex Auto Injector
Just for the record - Crappiest Special Edition of the Year
Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4. Totally pathetic
1. Collector's Edition of the Year - Halo Reach Legendary Edition
2. Most likely to appreciate in value - Castlevania Lords of Shadow - PAL
3. Best CE for a New Franchise - Bayonetta Climax Edition
4. Best Box Art - Halo Reach Legendary Edition
5. Best Bonus Item - Noble 6 Statue from Halo Reach
6. Best Unboxing Experience - Halo Reach Legendary Edition
7. Most Unique Package Design - Assassins Creed Codex Edition
8. Most Unique Bonus Item - Zombrex Pen
My best unboxing experience would have probably been Assassins Creed but at the time I was too worried about the damage it had taken after Play.com decided to post it in a plastic bag all the way from Jersey. After that and their terrible customer service it is the last order they will ever receive from me. Hopefully next year the exclusive will go to a company who knows a £70 item should be well packaged.
1. Collector's Edition of the Year: Gran Turismo 5: Signature Edition
2. Most likely to appreciate in value: Gran Turismo 5: Signature Edition
3. Best CE for a New Franchise: Alan Wake
4. Best Box Art: Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Codex Edition
5. Best Bonus Item: Gotta say it's the RC car that came with Black Ops.
6. Best Unboxing Experience: Halo Reach
7. Most Unique Package Design: Fable 3
8. Most Unique Bonus Item: That metal mask thingie that came with the Castlevania CE in Europe.
1. Collector's Edition of the Year - Bioshock 2 Collectors edition
2. Most likely to appreciate in value - Halo Reach Legendary edition
3. Best CE for a New Franchise - Alan Wake Collector's Edition
4. Best Box Art - Gran Turismo 5: Signature Edition
5. Best Bonus Item - Super Mario Galaxy 2 Limited Edition Tin
6. Best Unboxing Experience - Bioshock 2 Collectors edition
7. Most Unique Package Design - Fallout New Vegas Collectors edition
8. Most Unique Bonus Item - Bioshock 2 OST Vinil