Analyzing the Merits of Collector's Editions

Whether on a DVD or video game, I usually considered the collector's editions of either to be a scam used to siphon off extra money from my pockets. I rarely watch the special features tacked onto DVDs of movies or television since they remove the magic of the main film/show I try to immerse myself into when watching. All the other add-ons from collector's editions such as cast interviews, set production details, and gag reels can never compare to a "Make the film/show better" I want for a bonus feature.

Collector's editions of video games tend to live up to the name better since the premiums tend to be such. Figurines, autographed posters of the cast, special soundtracks, and any tsotchke thrown in are easily swept up by collectors and fans of the associated game. Though I get the feeling these premiums tend to distract me from the actual game part of the game I just bought. My shelf is cluttered with the contents of collector's editions while I play the game for a brief moment, get bored of it, and go back to admiring my Big Daddy figurine while listening to an exclusive soundtrack of a game I never bothered to play but enjoyed the music.

Despite my hatred of such collector's editions, I do admit to succumbing to the allure of exclusive premiums included in games and the items can push me over when I am on the fence of buying. I was scheduled to ignore Pokemon SoulSilverand HeartGold to death until I got word of a limited edition figurine of the title rare Pokemon associated with either title-Lugia for SoulSilver and Ho-Oh for HeartGold. Like a conditioned reflex, I found myself pre-ordering SoulSilver and anticipating placing Lugia on my computer desk because Ho-Oh still looks like a radioactive chicken. I could mention how the a certain game retailer whose name rhymes with "Lamestop" turned this lucrative colleector's teaser into a freaking scam by only handing out about five figurines per shop and I was pre-order #88, but that is another subject entirely. But the collector's edition did its job for once and got me to buy and play the game.

Then there are some collector's edition premiums that are so awesomely bizarre that they trump the game associated with them. I never heard of a Record of Agarest War game for the Xbox 360 nor did I care about it. Then my friend showed me a potentially not safe for work video promoting the extra features of the collector's edition, dubbed "The Really Naughty Limited Edition:"
-The typical soundtrack CD.
-A pillow case featuring a PG-13 image of some girl.
-A not so PG-13 3D mouse pad featuring a decent pair of soft assets that are an ergonomic handful.

Having never bought a body pillow or oppai mouse pad associated with the anime fan hobby, finding both conveniently bundled together for a relatively low price of $60 is a find. There is even a game that comes with this bundle so it is practically a steal for collectors. The only downfall to this collector's edition is that this bundle is for the Xbox 360 version of Record of Agarest War and this household is more of a Sony Playstation 3 loyalist. Does this mean that Record of Agarest War is the game that gets me to turn over to the 360? Probably not since I might just end up evaluating the game disc when played as a Frisbee. But throwing a Frisbee for an hour can be a strain on the wrists. Good thing I have that free boob mouse pad to rest my wrist on afterwards.