[Gemini-Phoenix]

Every decent CE should by default include a soundtrack on CD and a hadback artwork book. These are the staples. Anything else should be directly related to the game rather than just a piece of vaguely related merch or trinket

USB memory sticks loaded with MP3 files and wallpapers are always a nice touch, and these in themselves can become quite collectible.

A SteelBook case or some kind of DigiPak case should always be used in high value and high profile CE's in my opinion! I hate seeing fantastic CE's ruined by the simple fact that they included a bulk standard "NFRS" copy of the game in a plastic Amaray case. It cheapens the look of the CE and makes it feel as if they lack the effort

Bonus Dvd's are always nice to have if you are a fan of a particular franchise, especially if they contain additional content for use either on your console (Such as Avatar items) or on your PC (Wallpapers and ringtones etc)

A bonus disc containing an older game in the franchise. For longer running franchises, it's always nice to have a bonus game included. Eg, if a new Sonic game included a special disc with the original Mega Drive games on it

Faceplates. The US CE for Deathsmiles included a faceplate for the X360. I think this is a great idea, and a shame that more CE's didn't do this. Redundant now as Microsoft are supporting the new X360 S which doesn't itilise faceplates, but they would have been nice to have beforehand...

Branded controllers. Halo ODST had a nicely presented CE with a nice ODST branded Halo controller. Whilst the game itself was nothing special (Standard edition), the controller was nice to have! A shame that they didn't so a controller package for Halo Reach and Fable 3... However, Killzone 3 has a CE available with a controller, so perhaps this will become a popular CE item for 2011 onwards?



Things I don't expect to see:

Statues and figures are so passé. They're boring, hard to maintain when on display (Get very dusty and hard to clean), and a lot of the time they make CE's artificially bigger than they really need to be. After all, us collector's only have a limited amount of shelf space for our collection's!

DLC. It's of no use to any collector, and worthless in a few year's time when the game is no longer supported. Should never be used to bulk out a CE! EA, this means YOU!

Postcards. Pointless in my opinion. They cost very little to produce, yet they often add on £10-£15 extra value to the RRP of a CE for some reason! Total rip off!

Cardboard sleeves. At one time these were considered a premium for many games and Dvd's, however, lately they have become so common that they're now worthless except to the most die hard of variant collector's