Limited Special Collectors' Ultimate Edition: Difference between revisions
Limited Special Collectors' Ultimate Edition (view source)
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{{trope}}
[[File:9-24-07-
{{quote|''"Limited to [[Exact Words|the number they can sell]]."''|'''Jerry Seinfeld'''}}
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Films and video games are commonly being released in two versions: the [[Vanilla Edition]], and a better, souped-up edition with exclusive [[Bonus Material]]. With movies, you can expect deleted scenes, filmmaker interviews, [[Unrated Edition|never-before-seen footage]], commentary tracks and so forth. Video games tend to offer a shiny metal case, developer artwork, bonus characters or the [[Strategy Guide]]. Concept art, a "making-of" featurette, background story information, character biographies, [[Multiple Endings|alternate endings]] and [[Feelies|trinkets]] are common with both media.
Of course, you usually have to pay US$
Worth it? Depends on the individual work, as well as who you ask. In any case, this is a good marketing strategy, because it feeds into many people's compulsion to own the "best" version. It's particularly clever if you can get people to buy the "ordinary" version, discover how cool it is, and then go shell out ''again'' for the
Occasionally the souped-up edition is the ''only'' edition for the first few months of a new release (or may be received as a [[Preorder Bonus]]). Conversely, the special edition might not be released until a couple of months after the regular edition to squeeze more money out of die-hard fans.
Another practice is releasing films both separately and in box-sets with sequels. As more sequels come out, more editions with the entire series come out. The box sets traditionally come with extra features. This is also done with TV
In recent years one of the most insane marketing gimmicks is to call a ''digitally distributed'' version of a game with pre-order or other bonuses a ''limited'' edition. Despite being distributed online. Which has no limits. The least they could do is call it a special edition.
Note that, with regard to video games, this should not be confused with [[Updated Rerelease|updated rereleases]], because that's when a game is rereleased with brand new content and significant alterations to the gameplay. The
<small>'''[[Lousy Alternate Titles|Also known as]]''' [[Lost Forever|Limited]] [[Deus Ex: Human Revolution|Augmented]] [[New and Improved|Deluxe]] [[Palette Swap|Gre]][[Green Aesop|en]] [[Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Abridged Series|Super Special Awesome]] [[Infinity+1 Sword|Ultra]] Extended [[Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3|Premier]] [[Violence Is the Only Option|Combat]] [[Arnold Schwarzenegger|Commando]] [[Alien]] [[Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot]] [[Vin Diesel]] [[Dragon Ball|Widescreen]] [[Gotta Catch Em All|Collector's]] [[Unrated Edition|Unrated]] [[South Park|Uncut]] [[Command & Conquer|Kane]] [[Hellsing|Ultimate]] [[Rule of Sean Connery|Sean Connery]] [[Pani Poni Dash!|Game of The Year]] [[Cosmetic Award|Editor's Choice Edition:]] [[Author Appeal|Director's]] [[Re Cut|Extended Cut:]] [[Colon Cancer|The Lost Scenes:]] [[Neverwinter Nights|Gold Platinum Diamond Chaotic Lawful Evil Good]] [[Baldur's Gate|Saga]] [[Starcraft|Bat]][[Warcraft|tle]] [[World of Warcraft|Che]][[Diablo|st]] [[Xtreme Kool Letterz|Megapak]] [[Spore|Galactic Edition]] [[Half-Life 2|Ora]][[Portal (series)|nge]] [[Team Fortress 2|Box]] [[God|Omega]] [[Department of Redundancy Department|Limited]] [[X Meets Y|With]] [[More Dakka]]: [[Blade Runner|Final Cut]] [[Street Fighter|Champion Edition]] [[The King of Fighters|Ultimate Match]] [[Yes but What Does Zataproximetacine DO|Heartburn]] [[Square Enix|Inter]][[Final Fantasy|national]] [[Kingdom Hearts|Final Mix]] [[Precision F-Strike|Fucking]] [[Halo|Legendary]] [[Final Fantasy IV|Spoony]] [[The Spoony Experiment|Bard]] [[The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings|Dark]] [[Overly Long Gag|Edition X]]... [[Don't Explain the Joke|Do you get it because there are tons of these limited edition box sets for a single movie/game/book Edition]]</small>
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** A recent trend is putting CDs normally released separately, such as [[Image Song|image songs]] and the soundtracks, with the DVDs, giving more incentive to buy them.
* Hellsing Ultimate does this with multiple releases, there's the single disc version, with just the OVA, there's the Two-Disc Version with commentary and a special features disc, there's also the Two-Disc Steelbox which comes has the two discs in a nice steelbox case, and sometimes comes with an artbook. You can still find the Steelboxes for a decent price brand new, but all the other editions are just as expensive.
* Each disc of the US release of ''[[Suzumiya Haruhi|The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya]]'' came out in both a [[Vanilla Edition]] and a
** This was also done with the US release of ''[[Lucky Star]]'' (except for the last volume). Turned out it was almost a money black hole for the producer.
* When ''[[Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin]]'' was released in certain European countries in the 80's, it went through several cuts due to censorship and attempts to fit the series on four VHS tapes. Eventually over 100 minutes of the original material was left out from this release, causing the dubbing to be least of the worries. Later, when Finland and Sweden received uncut DVD releases with original soundtrack and voice acting intact, it was marketed as Special Edition of the series.
** ''Nagareboshi Gin'''s sequel, ''[[Ginga Densetsu Weed]]'', got a Collector's Edition box set release in Finland and Sweden, too. In addition to including the entire series it also comes with a Weed phone strap and a leaflet with extra information on the characters.
* With the US release of ''[[Code Geass]]'', Bandai planned out three different releases, specifically targeting the different levels of anime fans. For casual fans, there's the [[Vanilla Edition]] single DVDs and "volume packs" (two DVDs packaged together). For the real fanatics, there's the
* Although it sometimes occurs with later DVDs, the first volume of most anime series gets released as a DVD-only and as a DVD in an artbox designed to hold the entire series.
* .hack//sign did this when it came out on DVD in the US. They had the [[Vanilla Edition|regular DVDs]] and then they had the special edition ones with a Soundtrack CD in each. Except the last two. Second to last had a box to put the previous CDs in, and the last had an extra disc with a few special features on it.
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* ''[[Almost Famous]]'' was available in the regular edition (theatrical release only) and a 2-disc plus audio CD "Bootleg edition"- 3-hour director's cut with commentary, Cameron Crowe's original "Rolling Stone" articles, theatrical version, and half a dozen songs by the film's [[Show Within a Show|fictional band]].
* When the film ''[[Blade Runner]]'' turned 25, a new DVD set came with just about every conceivable version version of the film - the original, the director's cut, the final cut and a raw edition/workprint with no music and bluescreens everywhere. It also came with some nice Feelies like a holographic plate and a keyring. This was partly in response to [[Broken Base|debate]] in the fanbase over which of the many editions was better. [[Network to the Rescue|Studio to the rescue]]!
* The ''Ultimate [[The Matrix|Matrix]] Collection'' is perhaps the Holy Grail of the Ultimate Special Collector's Edition concept: not only do you get all three films, but the [[DVD Commentary|DVD commentaries]] on each film are provided by well-known members of the philosophical
** If you can believe it, there were three different variations of the "Ultimate Collection: the regular version, a set that came with a collectible bust of Neo, and a Hot Toys exclusive version with a ''massive replica of the Nebuchanezzar''.
* Warner Home Video releases several films in "Ultimate Collector's Editions," which package the movie together with such memorabilia as books and soundtracks. In an irksome move, the initial Blu-Ray releases of some movies (such as ''[[The Wizard of Oz (film)|The Wizard of Oz]]'', ''[[Gone with the Wind]]'', and ''[[Casablanca]]'') are released '''only''' as Ultimate Collector's Editions, which means consumers who want HD versions of certain films have to fork over about $70 or wait months until Warner releases the discs by themselves.
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** Some copies of ''[[Up (animation)|Up]]'' came with a working replica of the Luxo Jr. lamp seen in Pixar's [[Vanity Plate]], with a base that could display up to eight Blu-Ray Discs. (By the time of this set's release, six Pixar movies received Blu-Ray releases, and a compilation of HD shorts came out as well.)
** After the third ''[[Toy Story]]'' movie came to Blu-Ray and DVD, the whole trilogy received a 10-disc set<ref>containing Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital Copy versions of each movie and the extra features disc of ''Toy Story 3''</ref> packaged in a replica of Andy's toy box.
*** Despite the high disc count, the door still seems open for ''another''
** Do you want [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005AUWY4A/ 11 discs] of the ''[[Cars]]'' movies?
* Not only the [[James Bond]] series gets some rereleases (''[[Casino Royale]]'' itself has the one, two, and three disk editions)... but a few decide to offer the whole collection (currently [[Long Runner|22 movies]]) [http://www.cashgenerator.co.uk/action-adventure/james-bond-attache-case-44-dvd-box-rare-new-sealed-hs497 in a case] (a model known in some countries as a "007 case", to increase the pun) instead of a box.
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* Independant label [[Inside Out]] (known in some territories as [[Inside Out]] Music) is rather fond of this, regularly releasing enhanced editions of albums simultaneously with the regular editions, as well as far more lavish special editions of older albums by their more notable bands.
* A great example of a collector's edition done good is John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton. It contains both the 1966 Mono version and the 1969 stereo remix, it features early recordings of the band, done at the BBC and also early singles and promotional material. You also find alternate takes on songs and even earlier versions of them. Last but not least you get multiple live tracks with the band. You also get a great booklet, detailing the band and also a copy of the original CD booklet. Plus the CDs themselves are modeled to look like old [[LPs]].
* [[Sufjan Stevens]]' ''Songs for Christmas'' collection got the deluxe box-set treatment: 5 discs, 40 pages of liner notes (including guitar tabs for most of the songs and short stories), an animated music video, a poster with a full-page comic strip on the back, and stickers. There was no [[Vanilla Edition]] of ''Songs for Christmas''
** Similarly, his soundtrack for ''The B.Q.E.'' can either be purchased as a CD / DVD combo pack (including the soundtrack album, the complete film... and a Viewmaster reel) or as a vinyl album (with an accompanying comic book).
* Concept-album Prog Rock band Coheed and Cambria does this, sort of:
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** In [[The New Tens]], there's been two-disc versions of his first two albums from [[The Sixties]] and a ''Station to Station'' reissue that, in Special Edition form, includes two extra discs for his much-bootlegged Nassau Coliseum concert from 1976...and in ''Deluxe'' Edition form includes an additional two CDs (one with the mix the 1985 CD version had, one with the single versions of the songs), a DVD with a new surround sound mix of the album, three LPs for the original album and the concert, and from there such items as replicas of the tour's press kit, the official fan club folder, etc. from this period.
* [[Epica]] did this in 2007 with "The Divine Conspiracy" featuring a high-quality hardbound digibook, and again with their 2012 release, "Requiem for the Indifferent." There are a few editions but the super-high-end "Mailorder Edition" includes the album, an instrumental version of the album, postcards featuring album art, and a certificate of authenticity indicating which copy out of a limited run of 500 the customer has received, all wrapped up in a pine box with the Epica logo and album title woodburned into the cover. Interestingly, these may wind up proving valuable in the future, as some early releases went out with an unfinished version of the album's closing track, "Serenade of Self-Destruction", that was missing most of its vocals and so may be considered collectible sometime in the future. Ebay jockeys, start your auctions.
* Fans of [[The Hunger Games]] film have at least three soundtrack albums releases to choose from: the "Original Score" CD (which contains [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin]] - the actual scores for the film), as well as ''two'' different versions of the ''The Hunger Games: Songs From District Twelve and Beyond'', which was a collection of [[Captain Obvious|songs]] with vocals all of which either appeared in the film (if only in the closing credits), or were "inspired by" the film. The latter includes some lovely indie rock, folk, etc., by people ranging from [[The Decemberists]] to [[Taylor Swift]] (with many critics noting the latter's tracks were more interesting and "mature" than some of her previous releases), and was overall critically well-received. However, its
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** To be perfectly honest, this practice dates back to the very earliest of game consoles: it was called a bundle (games, controllers, carrying cases, [[Blatant Lies|robots]]...). The only difference is that now it covers more important features like hard drives.
** Microsoft have applied it to Windows as well in the form of [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] Vista "Ultimate", which isn't a game in any normal sense of the word, but certainly fits the description of costing rather more for very few extras, including every feature from every other version, even the Enterprise edition, which is the high-end version for ''business'' users and that version is generally only available to businesses. Windows 7 Ultimate contains a similar range of features to what its predecessor had.
* ''[[City of Heroes]]'' and ''City of Villains'' have one of these every so often; the most recent is the "Good vs. Evil Edition", which comes with both games, the [[Expanded Universe|comic books]] and [[Strategy Guide
* [[Working Designs]] used to make a living doing this. ''[[Lunar 2 Eternal Blue Complete|Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete]]'' for instance, was not strictly a special edition since there was no [[Vanilla Edition]], but it came with a soundtrack, little character stands, a cloth map of the game's world, and even a wearable replica of the game's endgame [[MacGuffin]]. Those who pre-ordered the game also got a Ghaleon punching puppet.
** Another deluxe game set from [[Working Designs]], ''Growlanser Generations'', came with a keychain, a wearable replica of the two game's jewelry-based weapon system, and a steel men's watch. They never skimped on quality.
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* The first two ''[[God of War (series)|God of War]]'' games both had several documentary features; the second had an extra disc devoted to it. Further, whereas most video game covers are thin paper blank on one side, these were slightly thicker and had poster images on the back, so you could slip them out of the case and tack 'em on your wall.
** ''God Of War 3'', on the other hand, could be one of the crowning examples of this trope for video games. Aside from the barebones release, there was a U.S. "Ultimate Edition" release, which consisted of the game and a glossy art book packaged in a replica of Pandora's Box. Somehow, that release was topped immediately by a ''very special edition'' that was only released to [http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2010/03/19/god-of-war-iii-out-now-media-kit-unveiled/ journalists in Region 2], which housed the game, art cards, a poster, a behind-the-scenes DVD, a metal Kratos coin and a brochure in a box that looked bloodied and partially destroyed!
* Played hard, and then subverted, by ''[[Star Trek Online]]''. The initial release had (like many games) special in-game items specific to the particular vendor you purchased the game from, in addition to the Digital Deluxe Edition ''and'' the Collector's Edition. Then, five months after release, a good chunk of these special items have been made available for purchase by anyone. A fair chunk of the playerbase was... annoyed. It has also fueled speculation that other
** And as it turns out... the speculation was right. The Galaxy-X from "All Good Things..." was added to the game's store not long after the above entry was added.
* ''[[Epic Mickey]]'', now with bonus "Behind the Scenes" disk, five inch vinyl Mickey figurine, Oswald-themed Wii Remote shell, and Mickey and Oswald Wii skins.
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** The first game came with a roll of ''NMH'' toilet paper with a preorder. One instance where [[No Export for You]] did not result in many complaints.
* Ladies and gentlemen, I present [http://www.slashgear.com/duke-nukem-forever-collectors-edition-revealed-11132924/ The Duke Nukem Forever Balls of Steel Edition!]
* Both [[Mass Effect]] games thus far have had special editions, but special note must go to the second game's [[Stealth Pun|Collectors' Edition]], which comes with special armor and weapons based off the main enemies, an art book, comic and bonus features disc. Note the apostrophe.
** The Collectors' Edition of the [[Mass Effect 3|third game]] comes with a tin case, a hardcover art book, a soundtrack, a comic, an N7 fabric patch and a lithograph of the Normandy. The game ''itself'' includes alternate outfits, an exclusive weapons pack, a [[Robot Dog]] for your off-mission time, and a secret character with their own mission.
* [[Star Wars Expanded Universe|Star Wars:]] [[Star Wars: The Old Republic|The Old Republic]]: Two different ones: First, ''The Collector's Edition'' includes in-game items (plus a pet exclusive to this version), a Statuette of Darth Malgus, and other items, [[Crack is Cheaper|costs $150]] (was sold-out, but sales have resumed). Second, the ''Digital Deluxe Edition'' costs a more reasonable $80, and has just a couple of in game items.
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