The Best 2016 Video Game Collector’s Editions: All 25 Ranked

25. Rocket League

Rocket League’s Collector’s Edition is the baseline. It doesn’t come with any cool statue, though we still wish we could have gotten a model of a car mid-flight. Instead, Rocket League’s top tier edition is all about bringing the digital game to a physical format and throwing in some other cool DLC and art prints for free.

While we love Rocket League and the complete DLC packs, and while new vehicles and art prints are sweet, it’s not quite what we’d call a collector’s edition and pales in comparison to the other titles that come in our bottom few.

24. Mighty No. 9

Mighty No. 9 struggled to live up to expectations when it released earlier this year and certainly wasn’t the Mega-Man spiritual successor it was cracked up to be. Unfortunately, this streak of mediocrity leaked into its Signature Edition, too.

While it’s neat to see a little figurine come in such an edition, and one that was priced relatively cheap too, this low price-point is reflected in the ‘meh’ quality of the figurine itself. Yes, you can change the face of the figure, but it’s not the prettiest thing in the world and isn’t a protagonist that fans will have much of an attachment too. The foil signature of Inafune on the box is a neat addition, but only the most hardcore of fans are going to truly appreciate this.

23. Hyrule Warriors: Legends

Hyrule Warriors: Legends wasn’t received all too well earlier this year, especially when playing on a standard 3DS unit as opposed to a New 3DS. We’ve included its Limited Edition for being quite close to a standard collector’s edition, as it comes with a nice little compass watch. Unfortunately, that’s all you’ll be getting in terms of additional content for the extra money you spend on the game.

A cool little collectible like this would normally be something that we’d all be for, but Legend’s compass watch, despite the neat detailing around the edges, is made of cheap-feeling plastic and doesn’t look like it’d stay in one piece.

22. Star Ocean 5: Integrity and Faithlessness

Star Ocean 5: Integrity and Faithlessness is where we start talking proper collector’s editions, though it hasn’t quite cracked into the upper just yet. You’ll get a sweet steelbook, artbook, art cards, soundtrack, and Pangalactic Federation ID card all inside a box with some pretty art on it. There’s some in-game DLC to top it all off, but you can’t help but feel like something is missing from the center of that image.

The content isn’t anything to stick your nose up at, but at the same time, it’s nothing an avid collector is going to be rabid to pick up. A good collector’s edition comes with something a fan can display proudly on their shelf, or something really unique you’ll show off, even if it’s just for that launch week hype. We’re getting there, but not quite hitting the big leagues yet.

21. No Man’s Sky

The indie game that caused some commotion upon its release in August got its own collector’s edition to help celebrate our space exploration. Coming with a hand-painted replica ship, traveler pin, decals, and little else, it was a collector’s edition on an understandably indie level.

The ship’s detail is neat, and the ability to customize it with the included decals is a nice little touch. But considering the number of materials, animals, and endless possibilities that No Man’s Sky was all about, it all feels a little simple. It’s a good effort as far as an indie collector’s edition goes, but nothing in comparison to the rest of this year’s big editions.

20. Watch Dogs 2

Watch Dogs 2 actually has about three different collector’s editions, but this is the one with the most content. Coming with a figurine, some laptop stickers, a collector’s box, a map of SF, DLC, and some lithographs of a city that you could easily find lovely pictures of on the internet – it’s an okay collector’s edition.

What makes it only okay? Well, it comes with some additional bits and pieces you might enjoy checking out for a bit, but most of these bits aren’t things you’re going to cherish for a long time to come. The statue is detailed, yes, but isn’t striking any cool action pose, and portrays a character players don’t yet know too well, starring in an IP with a rough history and a lot to prove.

18. Far Cry Primal

Far Cry Primal took the popular FPS series into new territory and a new time period with its prehistoric setting, so the collector’s edition that came with it was filled with unique goodies that you don’t normally come across in a collector’s edition.

The usual suspects – DLC, map, steelbook, and collector’s box – are all present, but it’s the other little bits that make it feel a little cooler than those that have come before it. The phrasebook is a neat way to follow the new language that Ubisoft created for the game, providing you with useful words and in-game sentences. It’s a condensed version of the work of specialists and experts that adapted a special language for the game. Combined with the soundtrack, which includes Wenja audio recordings, this is a collector’s edition which uses its game’s setting to its advantage and comes out for the better because of it. Now if only we could have had an epic mammoth statue.

19. ReCore

ReCore was Inafune’s second title this year following the disappointing reception of Mighty No. 9, but also failed to deliver on expectations. Though it doesn’t throw a ton of stuff into its Collector’s Edition, what is there is actually pretty cool.

Its statue is incredibly detailed with the lovable Joule and K-9 in a majestic pose. The lithographs are a nice addition, but hardcore fans are going to be enamored with the decoder ring that allows you to understand what all of the weird symbols mean in the subtitles whenever one of the bots talks to you. Had there been a little more in there, this could have been one of the best of the year.

17. The Division

The Division was supposed to be one of the biggest games of the year, but the hype surrounding it soon subsided. In order to celebrate all of us Agents arriving in Manhattan, the Sleeper Agent edition gave us the usual contents and threw in some of our own Agent gear, too.

With an armband for storage on your stealthy missions (if you happen to go on any), and a replica Agent watch, this collector’s edition wasn’t bad. The added value of the season pass certainly doesn’t go amiss either, especially if you followed the game after its first month or so. It’s nice to see a different centerpiece for a collector’s edition, but the watch doesn’t have any features that make this a must-have collector’s edition.

16. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Another collector’s edition, another one that doesn’t do much different from the usual tried and tested contents. Mankind Divided’s collector’s edition threw in all Day One edition content, with an artbook, geometric collector’s box, steelbook, and a statue of Jensen himself.

What makes this one better than the similar collector’s editions lower down in our rankings? In addition to the in-game content, the statue sees a highly detailed Jensen mid-action, not to mention this is a protagonist that fans have followed for years, unlike Watch Dogs 2’s Marcus and ReCore’s Joule. In the grand scheme of things, though, we’re far from the top; this one’s for the very hardcore fans, but few others.

15. Oxenfree

Oxenfree stealth-released a collector’s edition after its digital release back in January. This is how a digital game’s collector’s edition should be done – tons of cool trinkets and nods toward the game and its lore… and we’re never one to say no to a free cooler either.

For your money you get a download code for the game, a cooler large enough to store a six-pack, a stash can, a can insulator, a ferry ticket to Edwards Island, a demo tape cassette of the character Ren’s band, a download code for the same songs, and finally a foldout tourist map which has a poster on the reverse.

Some of the best collector’s editions bring their game into the real world for fans to adore. There’s plenty of that going on here.

14. Civilization VI: 25th Anniversary Edition

Civilization VI will bring more of the strategic turn-based action that PC fans have come to adore later this year. To celebrate the release of the game and the series’ 25th anniversary, Firaxis is releasing a collector’s edition including all of the DLC from the digital deluxe edition, a hardcover art book, and a commemorative coin set with a display case so none go missing or get damaged.

The coins are a nice nod to the whole setting and principle of the game, and it’s these unique collectibles that make collector’s editions stand out far more than the usual art books and soundtracks.

13. Uncharted 4

As the Uncharted series came to an end this year, Naughty Dog gave Nathan Drake one final hurrah with the Libertalia Collector’s Edition, putting the famed adventure in the spotlight, allowing him to forever live on in statue form. There’s an artbook, sticker sheet, and then a bunch of DLC included for good measure.

The Libertalia Edition comes ranked so much higher than all those other statue editions because of the level of detail and thematic finality. Fans have spent countless hours with Nathan Drake, watching him evolve from a young naive adventurer to one who’s more mature and weary by the end. This statue encapsulates the aging hero nearing the close of his final adventure. It’s a perfect way to show your love for the character and the series as a whole.

12. Overwatch

Overwatch took the world by storm when it released in May, and hasn’t looked back since. The collector’s edition once again may seem similar to those which have come before it, but there are a couple of small differences that make it that little bit cooler. Included is 12 unique postcards, a 21-track soundtrack, an artbook, steelbook case, and a 32 cm statue of Soldier 76.

Yes, the contents are very standard, but the postcards are all images of the map locations, which have such a cool and real-life look to them that they wouldn’t feel out of place pinned up on your wall. The Soldier 76 statue is a little different too, coming in a metallic finish to accentuate each little groove and ridge in the meticulously crafted figure. It’s a high-quality collector’s edition, even if the content types are a little generic.

11. Mirror’s Edge Catalyst

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst maintained the original’s minimalist art style, and this transfers into the collector’s edition for the game too. Catalyst’s collector’s edition comes with lithographs, concept pieces, a steelbook, temporary tattoos and a statue to boot.

Everything in the edition screams beauty and minimalism, and the statue is the high point. It’s a basic but powerful piece reflecting Faith and her difficult past. There’s a very sensitive yet professional feel to it, and with all of the extra bits and pieces, this collection stands above the rest as one of the more premium ones of the year.

10. Homefront: The Revolution Goliath Edition

Though the game had a troubled development period and was received pretty horribly, Homefront: The Revolution was actually one of the cooler collector’s editions of this year. While a steelbook and artbook have been in pretty much every collector’s edition so far, it was the neat scale replica controlled Goliath Drone that will pique many players’ interest.

It may be a glorified remote control car, but heck, we’re not complaining. For the price tag, a driveable replica model from the game, no matter how bad the title actually was, isn’t bad at all. Granted, not too many people will be interested in something from a game that flopped, but had it been more successful, we’re sure this would have been talked about much more.

9. Doom

Doom’s collector’s edition continues the statue trend, but goes about it all a little differently. The FPS became an unexpected hit this year, with the positive reception even surprising Pete Hines himself.

The collector’s edition comes with a 12″ Revenant statue stood atop a turbine. However, that turbine has an internal, spinning mechanism, meaning it’ll be able to give its menacing and terrifying stare to everyone in the room. You can also appreciate the level of detail and LED lights. The collector’s edition also came with a steelbook to make your shelf look a little prettier, too.

8. Dark Souls III

Rounding off the end of another series this year was Dark Souls III. Beloved by many for its difficult gameplay and deep mechanics, the title was celebrated in style thanks to the game’s collector’s edition.

Included was a 25 cm Red Knight figurine, artbook, soundtrack, steelbook case, cloth map of the game world, three iron-on patches, and a collector’s box.  Again, another collector’s edition whose contents sound all a little too familiar, but it’s the detail that makes it stand out. The steelbook case comes with a beautiful engraved finish, the artbook is substantial in size and comes with a hardcover, and the Red Knight figurine has immaculate amounts of detail from the chainmail on its legs to the frayed ends of the cloth. This is a collector’s statue edition and through.

7. The Last Guardian

The Last Guardian has been one title we’ve been waiting for for quite some time, and it’s finally due to release in December. Trico, the bird dog thing, has been in the spotlight since the game was first teased and so it makes sense that it’s the focal point of the collector’s edition.

Coming with a classic-looking wooden box, a steelbook with some beautiful cover art, and a ye olde fashioned-looking artbook, the statue sees Trico sleeping peacefully, with each of its feathers delicately modeled. And yes, that’s the young boy standing on top of his head, with as much detail crammed onto his tiny body as humanly possible.

The whole thing feels like it could have been pulled right out of this world, and with so much love and mystery behind Trico, giving fans the opportunity to have their own detailed version is a great nod.

6. Battlefield 1

DICE listened to the feedback from fans and gave them exactly what they wanted: a return back to the early wars of the 20th century. Rightfully so, the collector’s edition’s contents are a bunch of little war trinkets and items – something that both history buffs, military game fans, and Battlefield lovers will all appreciate.

You’ll get a cloth propaganda poster, deck of playing cards, messenger pigeon tube with DLC content, a patch and a wonderfully-detailed 14″ statue. The contents manage to pull off the war-time feel of the game, and also delivers one of the most bad-ass statues we’ve seen in a while.

5. Gears of War 4

One of Microsoft’s flagship titles for 2016, Gears of War 4, was bound to get a stellar collector’s edition to match the game’s macho styling. Included is an exclusive lithograph, frag grenade keychain, DLC, premium packaging, and a huge JD Fenix on a COG Bike statue.

While the lithograph is very much meh, the frag grenade keychain is a great way to subtly show your love for the series, and will likely gain nods of approval from fellow COG soldiers out on the streets. As for the statue, the thing sits at 14″ long, is possibly the best statue we’ve seen so far in terms of pose and detail, and would be the perfect centerpiece for any Gears of War collection. Oh, and this edition also gets you early access to the game, too… so there’s that!

4. Dishonored 2

Coming in at the cheaper end of the scale but by no means the shoddiest is Dishonored 2’s collector’s edition. The contents include a replica of Corvo Attano’s mask standing at 13.5″ high, complete with stand, Emily Kaldwin’s Ring replica and display box, a propaganda poster, steelbook case, and a snazzy box to keep it all in.

Bethesda seems to have cracked cool collector’s editions for their headline games of each year, as last year saw the widely popular Pip-Boy Edition. That mask looks nothing short of incredible (if not a little terrifying), the ring is a great accompaniment, and both can be far preferred over the books and soundtracks that have come part and parcel of most other editions this year.

3. Titanfall 2

When the original Titanfall released it came with a collector’s edition that was nothing short of gargantuan. It had a statue standing over 18″ tall, handcrafted from over 300 individual parts and featured battery-powered LED lighting. Therefore, when it came to the sequel, Respawn went just as ambitious, providing players with *breathes in* an 8GB Dog Tag flash drive on a metallic chain, a Pilot SRS Field Journal, Squad Morale Patches, a Vanguard Shemagh Scarf, and a replica Vanguard Pilot helmet.

The helmet is a 1:1 full-scale replica featuring mixed material elements, battery operated blue light-up translucent faceplate, a blue status/ task light, functional tactical ARC rail system, a display stand, tactical spotlight, and targeting laser sight. The accompanying accessories also hold up well against this helmet. 1:1 replicas of in-game items are always going to earn brownie points, and when they look this well-presented, and come with a host of other excellently detailed pieces, it’s difficult to argue that this isn’t one hell of a collector’s edition.

2. Mafia III

Mafia III looks set to plunge players right into a virtual rendition of 1968 New Orleans and its seedy underworld of crime. The collector’s edition aims to give players a real-life taste of exactly that with a number of items that just scream retro and style.

The collector’s edition includes an art book, Lincoln Clay replica dog tags, faux leather establishment drink coasters, exclusive collectible art prints from Playboy and the Alberto Vargas Estate, and the Mafia III original game score.

It may not sound worthy of holding the second spot on our list until you realize that the rhythm and blues-inspired soundtrack comes on two 180 gram vinyl pressings and includes classics such as All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix and Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones. We mentioned earlier that a collector’s edition should contain items that feel ripped out from the game’s world, and Mafia III has nailed it.

1. Final Fantasy XV

The game that people have been waiting for for over 10 years is finally coming later this year, and to celebrate this momentous occasion, Square Enix is releasing an Ultimate Collector’s Edition which is nothing short of must-have. Limited to only 30,000 units worldwide, the collector’s edition includes an exclusive steelbook, special soundtrack, another exclusive steelbook for Kingsglaive, the Kingsglaive movie, a 192-page hardcover artbook, bonus in-game content, and an exclusive Play Arts Kai Noctis figure.

Admittedly, Final Fantasy XV has a bit of an advantage in the amount of time players have been waiting and all of the lore surrounding it. Kingsglaive provides some additional story to the game, the 192-page artbook will show the transition of a 10-year journey, and its stylish hardback cover wouldn’t look out of place on a wall of fancy books. Finally, the figure. Play Arts figures are known for their painstaking dedication to detail, and this Noctis figure looks to be no different. With just as much detail in the weapon as there is Noctis himself, this is one figure worth that price tag. No wonder they sold out near-instantly.