Rarest (and most valuable) collector's edition video games

Tales of Vesperia Special Edition

Sealed - $225
Open - $120

Curious what wonders await you in the Tales of Vesperia Special Edition, in exchange for your precious $225? The game, its soundtrack, andthat's about it. This is about as sparse as collector's editions get--though admittedly, we're glossing over the steel case and the fact that there's art in the manual (which is played up to the point that we wonder if the base version's manual does not). But those aren't really things you can proudly flaunt to the world in a righteous display of fandom. Given that the standard 360 version goes for a mere $25, it's probably a wiser use of your money to join the plastic-cased, soundtrack-less lower class of Tales of Vesperia owners.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - Fortune Hunter Edition

Sealed - $11,327
Open - $9,204

Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on the Big Kahuna of valuable collector's editions. In 2009, Sony endeavored to craft the rarest game bundle ever made, making a mere 200 copies of this majestic special edition. Only those who played the Uncharted 2 demo during select weekends in the month of October would be entered to win. Those absurdly lucky 200 were rewarded with a copy of the game, an art book, the official guide, and an ornate replica dagger that could easily double as an Indiana Jones prop. We've had the honor of holding said dagger in our hands--praise Antista--and it was glorious.

Elemental Gearbolt Assassin Case

Sealed - ???
Open - ???

But wait! There is another. This collector's edition is so rare, there's no telling what kind of money--and/or unholy pact with Satan--is required to get your hands on one these days. Inside this suitcase was Elemental Gearbolt, an absurdly obscure Japanese lightgun shooter, as well as a jaw-droppingly beautiful golden GunCon peripheral. There are only 50 of these in existence, given away as prizes for the press during E3 all the way back in 1998. If this collector's edition was the actual contents of the radiant suitcase in Pulp Fiction, we wouldn't be all that surprised.

They weren't kidding when they said "collectible"

Are you the lucky owner of one of the aforementioned games? Do you still appreciate the add-ins you paid extra for? Do you feel like reading the word "edition" one more time will make you scream? Let us know in the comments, as well as suggesting any pricey collector's editions (sorry) we might've missed.

And if you're looking for rare and expensive video game paraphernalia, look no further than the Rarest (and most valuable) current-gen games and the Rarest (and most valuable) limited edition consoles.

Lucas Sullivan

Lucas Sullivan is the former US Managing Editor of 12DOVE. Lucas spent seven years working for GR, starting as an Associate Editor in 2012 before climbing the ranks. He left us in 2019 to pursue a career path on the other side of the fence, joining 2K Games as a Global Content Manager. Lucas doesn't get to write about games like Borderlands and Mafia anymore, but he does get to help make and market them.