whew… finally caught up with most of the new releases that have been announced over the last few weeks. I’ll be making news posts for some of them but getting them into the database is my #1 priority.
One discerning thing I’ve noticed is that nearly every new EA game coming out has a “Limited Edition” release. These aren’t LEs that are sold along side the regular edition, rather these are “First Edition” releases.
For those who don’t know a First Edition is basically an LE or CE that is the only version of a game that is available around the time of the games release date, where a less special regular edition comes out at a later date. This occurs frequently with books where the First edition is generally more expensive and hard bound while subsequent releases are cheaper paperbacks.
It would seem that EA is employing the book publisher’s strategy by rewarding release-day buyers of their games. Most of these only really provide a few in-game perks, like bonus XP or access to cars and weapons earlier in the game that players of the regular edition would have to play a bit before they could use.
They’ve employed this tactic with Battlefield Bad Company 2 “Limited Edition” already and so far three upcoming games have a similar LE announced:
Crysis 2
Medal of Honor
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit
It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or if other publishers will follow suit. I personally will not be adding any of these games to my collection unless I happen to be buying it anyway. I think it’s a great for the average gamer but seems to cheapen the “Limited Edition” title a bit.
Every major release in the Halo franchise, has had a Halo themed Limited Edition console release to celebrate it. Halo Reach will be no different with a Limited Edition of the Xbox 360 recently announced.
The Silver console will be based on the new Slim Xbox 360 design and have Halo themed graphics. In addition to a copy of the regular edition game it will also include 2 Silver controllers with graphics matching the console, a 250GB hard drive, Component Video cables, a headset and all the built in features you’d expect from a Slim 360 (such as Wi-Fi).
The console will go on sale September 14 for $399 currently only announced for the US but if past Halo consoles are any indication it will be available everywhere. Also if past LE console releases are any indication of how this one will sell, you’d be advised to buy it on release if you’re at all interested in owning one.
During EA’s press-conference at E3 this week the not only unveiled some new games but they also announced that both Dead Space 2 and Medal of Honor would be receiving the CE treatment exclusively on the PS3.
Dead Space 2 Limited Edition for the PS3 will include a re-release of the formerly Wii exclusive title Dead Space Extraction. This bonus re-release will feature HD graphics as well as trophy support and will also be compatible with the up-coming Playstation Move controller (you will be able to use a Six-Axis controller as well), and it will feature support for co-op game play. Release date is set for January 25th 2011. It’s not clear if all copies of the PS3’s Dead Space 2 will be the Limited Edition or if it will actually be a limited edition run separate from the regular edition.
Medal of Honor Special Edition for the PS3 will include a re-release of the last generation title Medal of Honor Frontline. Similar to the Dead Space Extraction re-release MoHF will feature HD graphics and trophy support. Release date is set for October 12th 2010 in North America and October 15th in Europe. Once again, it’s not clear if all copies of the PS3’s MoH will be the Special Edition or if it will be a separate release from a regular edition.
UPDATE (6/29/2010):
Based on the Gamestop listing the “Limited Edition” of Dead Space 2 for the PS3 will be the only version of the game made available. The Same holds true for the listing of the “Special Edition” of Metal of Honor.
Microsoft Corp. and Activision Publishing, Inc. today brandished the latest weapon to help gamers take to the battlefields for the global launch of the year with the announcement of the Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition Console. Infinity Ward’s “Modern Warfare 2,” the blockbuster sequel to the best-selling first-person action game in history, “Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare®,” was the inspiration for the console’s high-speed, low-drag, battle-ready design, which is available for pre-order today at U.S. retailers and in other regions later this week.
Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition
Beginning with “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s” worldwide release on Nov. 10, fans can arm themselves with Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition Console, which features an exclusive design inspired by the epic thriller, more storage space than ever before in a 250GB Hard Drive, two Xbox 360 Wireless Controllers, as well as an Xbox 360 Headset and a Standard Edition copy of “Modern Warfare 2” for an estimated retail price of $399.99 (USD).
“It’s the highest compliment to the team and our fans to have a special themed Xbox 360 console,” said Vince Zampella, CEO of Infinity Ward. “The precision and detail that’s been put into the console captures the intensity and feel of ‘Modern Warfare 2.’ We can’t wait for our community and fans around the world to see for themselves on Nov. 10.”
The Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition Console was revealed at an exclusive preview event in Los Angeles where guests were the first to experience “Modern Warfare 2” multiplayer gameplay on Xbox LIVE.
“It is thrilling to bring the exclusive ‘Modern Warfare 2’-inspired Xbox 360 console to Call of Duty fans. Being able to work so closely with the talented team at Infinity Ward on the design has enabled us to develop a console that will set bragging rights around the world,” said Albert Penello, senior director of global marketing for Xbox 360. “These fans deserve the biggest Xbox 360 console ever, and we’re delivering with more storage space than ever before and freedom to enjoy their favorite games and downloadable Game Add-ons, including the first two ‘Modern Warfare 2’ maps that will be available first on Xbox LIVE.”*
Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition Console, will be sold in Europe, the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia), UK, US, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Australia and New Zealand.
On Nov. 10, Activision Publishing, Inc. will release Infinity Ward’s “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.” The title continues the gripping and heart-racing action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse. “Modern Warfare 2” is rated “M” (Mature – Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence and Language) by the ESRB. For more information, visit www.modernwafare2.com or http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/callofdutymodernwarfare2/.
Recently announced is the Limited Edition of BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. This edition comes in a cardboard box containing the standard edition game disc as well as a 2 disc 42-song soundtrack and a bonus dvd with tutorials and walk-throughs from experts from dustloop.com and shoryuken.com.
Slated to ship on June 30th at the same price as the regular edition: $59.99. That’s because this LE is a “First Run” release, All currently pre-ordered copies have been automatically upgraded to the LE and once the initial quantity is gone only regular editions will be made.
Also those who pre-order though gamestop.com (online store only) will receive a 32 page art book in addition to the game.
Kotaku has details on the upcoming Limited Edition Premium Beatles RockBand Bundle.
Dubbed the Limited Edition Premium Bundle, it includes The Beatles: Rock Band game; a Höfner Bass controller, Beatlesque and Ludwig-branded Rock Band drums with classic pearl finish, a metal kick pedal and a vintage replica drumhead; plus a microphone with stand and, according to an email from retailer GameStop, “additional special content.”
We’re hoping that “additional special content” means “mop-top wigs”.
The Beatles: Rock Band is available September 9 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii and priced at US$250.
Pictures of the NTSC Limited Edition Halo Wars Release have been posted.
I tried something a little different with the photogaphy this time, I don’t know if I like it or my old technique better. Either way if you have an opinion on it let me know.
Engadget is reporting that the Limited Edition Red “Resident Evil” Xbox 360 has been spotted for sale at a Target Store in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Consider Consider the Street Date for RE5 officially broken.
In this video Xbox Live’s Major Nelson unboxes a Limited Edition Red Xbox 360. While this isn’t anything we haven’t seen from the previously released pictures, it is interesting to note that these consoles will likely have the latest version of the internal hardware, “Jasper”.