How come there are never special editions on Nintendo consoles?

Bang Bang Miss America

Like seriously, it's not like they wouldn't sell. I'd love to see a collecter's edition of Super Mario Galaxy, that comes in a tin case, has a map/poster, sound track and some mario badges.

Can anyone explain? (and you can also talk about what nintendo special editions you'd like to see)

Supersplines

There was a gold 64 for Zelda Ocarina of time...

jlrx

I wouldnt say never, but I would say that Nintendo isn't normally one to rape it's fans with collector this or that. They provide the game, in all it's glory. If you want the trinkets, you need to search the vast space of the internet for them

Waka Laka

You're joking right? I was in Gametraders today and saw a Final Fantasy DS, a Gundam DS, a Star Wars DS, a dozen Gold and Silver DS's and a Golden Triforce Zelda DS.

As for Wii... uhmmmm... .... uuuhmm... get some mario stickers slap them on the side and call it special or something.

Phanman

Waka Laka wrote: »

You're joking right? I was in Gametraders today and saw a Final Fantasy DS, a Gundam DS, a Star Wars DS, a dozen Gold and Silver DS's and a Golden Triforce Zelda DS.

As for Wii... uhmmmm... .... uuuhmm... get some mario stickers slap them on the side and call it special or something.

Not collector's edition consoles, but collectors edition games. They make plenty of collectors edition DS's.

I think Nintendo doesn't rape the fans with CE games because they rape them with lots of useless accessories.

Local H Jay

I dom't think he means consoles, more over the games themselves.
Probably has alot to do with the target market.
Alot (Not all) of 360/PS3 owners are the kind of people who enjoy buying the entire set of a movie or tv show just to say they own it. If it comes in a special case, bet your ass they'll shell out $10 extra for that shiny box.
So, I think this carries over to the games aswell.
I normally avoid special editions because I like not being ripped off.

Even if I did buy the Legendary Edition of Halo 3...

Waka Laka

Ah right my bad.

Uhm.

Actually when it comes to games you're right, I don't think I really see them on a regular basis. It's really up to the development team to put out the game in limited/collectors edition games.

Consoles however, yeah, collectors editions up the ass.

cj iwakura

Everything gets a CE in the east, so I bet the answer is just: wrong country.

Then again, Western games have been getting some awesome CE treatments lately, like Hellgate and Bioshock.

Drez

OP: SHH! Don't jinx us you stupid, stupid bastard!

The Wolfman

DiannaoChong

the zelda bundle for gamecube seemed to fit this category for me. although it didnt have a special paint job or whatever, it had exclusive discs with games...

edit: and were not gonna see one for a while, becuase they dont need to make one to sell consoles atm. Weill see colors for next christmas if we see sales dip beyond "always bought out"

Drez

The OP should change the thread title. He's talking about special edition games, not special edition consoles. In fact, Nintendo has more special edition consoles than Microsoft, Sony, SEGA, and all the other companies historically combined, I'd wager.

cj iwakura

As special edition games go, I think Working Designs set the standard, though Atlus is doing their best to catch up.

LewieP

There was that Pokémon GBC too.

Dr Mario Kart

They dont need the extra $10 to recoup the costs of developing in HD, or they wouldve already moved from the $50 price point. They're a minimalist, conservative company in many areas.

Mumblyfish

I'd argue that there are already too many companies charging an extra twenty dollars for two dollars worth of cheap trinkets. What collector's editions have really justified the extra cost?

I'm tempted to say Guild Wars for the art book, but I recall paying much less than the RRP for it (say, ten dollars less than the standard edition) and everything except the art book was pretty much crap. I shan't mention the embarrassing in-game bonuses that were conferred by the various collector's editions. I'll be good.

Lindsay Lohan

I think the closest they come is with preorder bonuses - the Zelda bonus disk, Pokemon stylus, Kirby stylus, Mario coin, etc. I think that's how they tend to reward early purchasers rather than a deluxe version of their games.

Frankly, they are a more family oriented company that pushes low prices so it seems like a pricey deluxe version would be rather against that vision.

cj iwakura

Mumblyfish wrote: »

I'd argue that there are already too many companies charging an extra twenty dollars for two dollars worth of cheap trinkets. What collector's editions have really justified the extra cost?

Dr Mario Kart

Goemon aside, that being their last retail release and putting more nails in their coffin, its probably not a good example of what to do

cj iwakura

From what I heard, that CE actually sold really well.

It was Sony's 'no 2D games on our system unless it's on a collection' stance that hurt the company the most, since they had to sell two games that were going to be released separately for the price of one.

Henroid

cj iwakura wrote: »

From what I heard, that CE actually sold really well.

It was Sony's 'no 2D games on our system unless it's on a collection' stance that hurt the company the most, since they had to sell two games that were going to be released separately for the price of one.

Wait wait. Sony had that as an official stance?! :x

cj iwakura

Henroid wrote: »

cj iwakura wrote: »

From what I heard, that CE actually sold really well.

It was Sony's 'no 2D games on our system unless it's on a collection' stance that hurt the company the most, since they had to sell two games that were going to be released separately for the price of one.

Wait wait. Sony had that as an official stance?! :x

Far as I know. It's also the reason Arc The Lad was on a collection, Metal Slug 4 & 5, any collection of old games, etcetera.

I think they've since lightened up on that 'policy', but it was still a jerk move back in the day.

Working Designs would probably still be around if it weren't for them.

Mumblyfish

cj iwakura wrote: »

I have never heard of the game, so correct me if I am wrong, but I see:

A flimsy cardboard box; cardboard is unavoidable given the extra contents, but that looks fragile. A soundtrack in a cheap paper sleeve sporting the subtitle "Music of the Generations", suggesting a compilation CD rather than an authoritative full music rip (if it is a complete rip of every track in the game, I'll agree that is one good bonus). A cheap stainless steel (?) ring with a wrapping-paper pattern and one-size-fits-nobody sizing scheme. Equally cheap stainless steel necklace or bracelet. A stainless steel watch that looks like it cost ten pence to make and will snap if one so much as thinks of putting it near a wrist. In total, three "fashion" items that noone in their right mind would ever wear, not because of the branding but because of how cheap they look. Two items are presumably a cardboard box to put the watch in when it is not being worn, which would be all the time, and a cloth bag for the ring and chain. Finally, what looks like a pack of Growlanser-branded cards, which isn't bad if one does not have a pack of cards, but do not argue that they cost that much to make.

Anything else?

Kalkino

I'd have paid good money for a special edition release of Goldeneye 64, hell, i probably still would. Of course then i'd have to buy a console as well, but fuck, I was that big a fanboy

Veevee

Mumblyfish wrote: »

cj iwakura wrote: »

I have never heard of the game, so correct me if I am wrong, but I see:

A flimsy cardboard box; cardboard is unavoidable given the extra contents, but that looks fragile. A soundtrack in a cheap paper sleeve sporting the subtitle "Music of the Generations", suggesting a compilation CD rather than an authoritative full music rip (if it is a complete rip of every track in the game, I'll agree that is one good bonus). A cheap stainless steel (?) ring with a wrapping-paper pattern and one-size-fits-nobody sizing scheme. Equally cheap stainless steel necklace or bracelet. A stainless steel watch that looks like it cost ten pence to make and will snap if one so much as thinks of putting it near a wrist. In total, three "fashion" items that noone in their right mind would ever wear, not because of the branding but because of how cheap they look. Two items are presumably a cardboard box to put the watch in when it is not being worn, which would be all the time, and a cloth bag for the ring and chain. Finally, what looks like a pack of Growlanser-branded cards, which isn't bad if one does not have a pack of cards, but do not argue that they cost that much to make.

Anything else?

Your avatar fits this post greater than any avatar before it.

You, sir, are an ass. Good for you.

RainbowDespair

Mumblyfish wrote: »

I'd argue that there are already too many companies charging an extra twenty dollars for two dollars worth of cheap trinkets. What collector's editions have really justified the extra cost?

Persona 3. For $0 extra dollars, you get a music CD with all of the best tracks from a game with incredible music plus a high quality 52 page art book.

emnmnme

Are trinkets and goodie bags good enough? Portrait of Ruin came with a nice bag of extras with each preorder at Gamestop and Phantom Hourglass had a feather stylus you could send away for.

Dr Mario Kart

But this is when nearly all non-Atlus published PS2 games cost $40, even RPGs. Soul Nomad, Wild Arms 5 (which came with an artbook), Grim Grimoire are some recent ones.

They'd be crazy to charge $60 for a PS2 game this late in the cycle.

CZroe

Bang Bang Miss America wrote: »

Like seriously, it's not like they wouldn't sell. I'd love to see a collecter's edition of Super Mario Galaxy, that comes in a tin case, has a map/poster, sound track and some mario badges.

Can anyone explain? (and you can also talk about what nintendo special editions you'd like to see)

My Limited Edition Gold Zelda Gameboy Camera says "hai."

My "Collector's Edition" Zelda cartridges on N64 are still asleep.

Then, there's my compilation disc titled "The Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition," but there was no "standard-edition" of that. I'd count the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest Bonus Disc if it weren't really a preorder bonus for Wind Waker.

Nintendo CEs are true CEs.

Cyrixd

Is it safe to say Pokemon was subject to CE-ness?

Pokemon Red, Blue, Green, Yellow...
Pokemon Gold, Silver, Crystal...
Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, Emerald...
Pokemon Diamond, Pearl...

Pokemon Stadium, Stadium 2, Colosseum, XD, Battle Revolution...

Cynically speaking, all they added was more Pokemon to collect, soo...

Homer

Special editions are usually made to boost sluggish sales. N doesn't need special editions very often. Usually their games sell themselves.

CZroe

Cyrixd wrote: »

Is it safe to say Pokemon was subject to CE-ness?

Pokemon Red, Blue, Green, Yellow...
Pokemon Gold, Silver, Crystal...
Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, Emerald...
Pokemon Diamond, Pearl...

Pokemon Stadium, Stadium 2, Colosseum, XD, Battle Revolution...

Cynically speaking, all they added was more Pokemon to collect, soo...

Well, Pokemon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition certainly was. I guess one could point to Nintendogs Dalmation and Friends Limited Edition and Nintendog's Best Friends Edition, but they keep pissing me off by continueing to make them... I was one of the early adopters who bought the last Teal DS in town because Nintendogs BFE was going for over $300 by itself and now I have to look at all the late-adopters who got it with a full-size case (as opposed to my cardboard sleeve) in the recent Black Friday 2007 bundle. Also, TRU kept selling an exclusive Nintendogs BFE bundle after the limited edition colors were gone. Dalmation & Friends hasn't stopped production yet... they still make it and ship it to all retailers and they even updated the package art with a "Touch Generations" logo.

The Platinum GBA was limited at first, but eventually they renegged and unleashed a ton more... enough to keep stock until the end of the GBA and the beginning of the GBA SP. The LE Platinum Edition GCNs had this happen too (two major issuances of something supposedly "limited" from the start) until the Metroid Prime bundle was released in Platinum without the "Limited Edition" notation.

Mumblyfish

Veevee wrote: »

You, sir, are an ass. Good for you.

Oh dear. I disparaged the production quality of the packaging on a Working Designs product. I noted that the trinkets, which people are expected to wear, are made of an iron-carbon alloy usually reserved for cutlery. I am a terrible person.

I imagine you would be one of the cretins proudly wearing a £0.50 Growlanser watch, then?

SumDeus

CE that i have enjoyed of recent are Bioshock for the awesome Big Daddy statue/figurine, Halo 3 Legendary Edition because the case/helmet is pretty cool and makes a great decorative piece (if a bit pricey), and ES: Oblivion which was pretty well rounded in what it offered; trinket (coin), making of (extra DVD), and the small book/guide thingy.

The_Scarab

The Bioshock LE was all kinds of awesome.

What I value most in a LE/CE is a DVD with making of extras. Trinkets, toys and models are completely pointless in the end, but the excellent documentaries on a few LEs of late have made me buy them. Im genuinely interested.

This is why I think Nintendo has far fewer LEs in the way we would define one.

Samphis

I bought the non-collector edition of Mass Effect, Oblivion, and just about every other game I've bought this year. I get horribly harrassed for "being stupid to not upgrade" from the Gamestop clerks. I frankly said the last time that I'd rather have that extra ten dollars than some chinsy shit that I'd never look at after opening the package, especially since I'm already paying a next-gen tax of $10.

I'll be picking up the regular version of Assassin's Creed tonight.

WickerBasket

Mumblyfish wrote: »

Veevee wrote: »

You, sir, are an ass. Good for you.

Oh dear. I disparaged the production quality of the packaging on a Working Designs product. I noted that the trinkets, which people are expected to wear, are made of an iron-carbon alloy usually reserved for cutlery. I am a terrible person.

I imagine you would be one of the cretins proudly wearing a £0.50 Growlanser watch, then?

I've gotta agree with mumbly, the watch looks cheap and I'm sure it'd be uncomfortable to wear. If you're going to give stuff free make it something worthwhile. It doesn't have to be expensive just useful, like the pack of cards. I'd actually use the pack of cards, whereas with the trinkets I would not.

LewieP

I would love a well made "Making of" Documentary on a bunch of Nintendo games, the Metroid Prime series in particular.

Sountrack CDs for tonnes of their games would be ace too.

Basically, a special edition is worth it in my books if is contains -

1. Soundtrack/OST (providing game has good music)
2. 'Making of' DVD
3. Poster(s)
4. Art book
5. Cool Shirt/Hoodie
6. Badass packaging. (steel tin or something)
7. Damn good 'trinket', like Styli for DS games, or things like the RE4 Chainsaw controller (not that that was included in a SE, it should have been)
or 8. Bonus game content. Although this is something I am not 100% sure on - is it fair to restrict content from owners of the standard edition? I guess that's why the Doom 3/Wind waker way of doing this is best, including classic games.

The more items of that list it has, the better the special edition.

The_Scarab

The tin that was used for both the Bioshock and Gears of War LEs should be a standard packaging for LEs on the 360. they both have the same sized insert and art books too, leading me to believe it was all rolled off the same production line.

Which would be great. Each console has a standard DVD case for their regular editions of games. A standard for LEs would be cool too.

EspantaPajaro

cj iwakura wrote: »

Mumblyfish wrote: »

I'd argue that there are already too many companies charging an extra twenty dollars for two dollars worth of cheap trinkets. What collector's editions have really justified the extra cost?

Some of the best 70 dollars ive spent. Shame what happened to Working Designs , the Lunars games C.E. were cool too .

Mumblyfish

LewieP wrote: »

5. Cool Shirt/Hoodie

Ignoring the fashion implications of wearing a cheap Mario Party 8 t-shirt, I would consider clothing to be a poor collector's edition item because people are different sizes. I do, unfortunately, know somebody who will buy any game with an increased price tag, and it seems that all free t-shirts are fitted for beached whales. Granted, most that spend all their disposable income on video games and would wear a cloth advertising board for games featuring wide-eyed magician girls will be hideously overweight. But it must be a crap gift for anyone who doesn't dine exclusively on soda and cheese-based snacks.