Collectibles, pre-order, and promotional deals...

[Diatribal Deity]

Over the past year, I have gotten into accumulating limited, special, and collector edition games and merchandise. Mainly focused on more modern titles (PS2 and newer anyway), I embarked by taking chances with sites like Gohastings and Ebay to obtain deals. After having great success and not having to pay up the nose for many, I was then presented with the challenge of obtaining newer releases without suffering buyers remorse after most drop within the first couple months of release. Also this focus has led to an interest into some more random game related memorabilia not necessarily available with the purchase of the game directly.

That being said, I am always on the lookout for deals, discounts and promotions that will offset the eventual distress of early adopter blues. In addition to obtaining these deals, an effective approach I have found, is if you are not interested in the popular DLC or pre-order bonuses offered with an initial release, it can be quite easy to sell them separately and recoup much of your inital cost.

Recent Example:
Halo Reach Legendary: 149.99 @ Microsoft online store *free shipping
- $50 email coupon
+ 6.25 tax
- $80 DLC sell off after fees
Total cost: $35.25

And yes, I am familiar with obvious arguments that by purchasing early on you are supporting the industry and you can always wait a couple months to a year to find things on the cheap with some patience. Also, there are sites like CAG, SD and others catering to this approach (and I do, although rarely, contribute to those sites as they have been a great resource to me). However, that being said there does not seem to be a central location focusing in on this.

I thought it might be valuable to at least a few members here, who maybe do not frequent those sites, or may be interested in a similar venture now or in the future at obtaining collectibles to point out a few sites and curiosities initially...so here is a few.

- Bioware Store

http://biowarestore.com/

Lithographs for Mass Effect 2:

Prototype SR2
Dead Reaper
Archangel (gone) $50
The Team (gone) $80 oversized
Cerberus (gone)
Miranda (gone)
Legion (gone)
Grunt (gone)
Thane (gone)
Tali (gone)
Purgatory
Pragia (gone)
Korlus (gone)
The Wards (gone)
Normandy (gone)
Afterlife (gone)
Collectors (gone)
The Illusive Man (gone)
Jack (gone)
Citadel (gone)
Garrus (gone)
Omega (gone)
Minuteman (gone)

Priced at $40.00 ($6 shipping) these have been known to double, triple, or even quadruple in value once they are sold out. The Citadel and Normandy lithos are now going for close to $200. They generally make only 300-500 and they are all numbered and signed by artist.



- Epic Weapons

http://www.epicweapons.com/shop/home.php?cat=252

Offer a variety of Dragon Age, Dead Space and Warcraft curiosities from letter openers to swords or plasma cutter for DS. Prices vary widely and limited edition runs generally range from 1,000-10,000.


- Visceral Games: Dead Space and Dante's Inferno lithographs and collectibles (not as popular as Bioware - but still pretty cool none-the-less)

http://visceralstore.com/



YMMV - Random spotting of cheap(er) Limited, Collector and Special Editions:

Bestbuy - Street Fighter IV Collector's Edition ($19.99 orig. 79.99)
Bestbuy - Smackdown Vs. Raw 2009 Collector's Edition ($19.99 orig. 79.99)
Bestbuy - Mafia II CE (39.99)
Gamestop - Alien Vs. Predator Hunter Edition (39.99 orig. 79.99)
Newegg - Alien Vs. Predator Hunter Edition (29.99)
Bestbuy - Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe CE PS3 ($19.99-29.99 orig. 69.99)
Amazon - Cursed Mountain LE WII $6.61 (but fluctuates)
Amazon - Alan Wake Limited Edition (39.99)
Bestbuy - Fable III LE (29.99)
Bestbuy - AC:Brotherhood CE (49.99-59.99)
Bestbuy - Halo Legendary Edition - (49.99-79.99) YMMV
Bestbuy - COD: BlackOps Prestige (14.99) was in-store and online briefly
Gamestop - Fallout New Vegas CE (PS3/360 49.99) (PC 39.99)
Gamestop - Two Worlds Royal Edition (PS3/360 59.99)
Bestbuy - Fallout New Vegas CE (360 39.99)
Gamestop - Bioshock 2 SE (360/PS3/PC 29.99)
Bestbuy - Starcraft 2 Collector''s Edition (PC 49.99)
Bestbuy - Killzone 3: Helghast Edition (PS3 49.99)
Bestbuy - Deadspace 2 CE - (PS3 34.99-39.99)
Bestbuy - MK TE (360 59.99)
PC Richard - Infamous 2 Hero Edition (PS3 59.99)
Newegg - LBP2 Collectors Edition (PS3 59.99)
Bestbuy - COD Modern Warfare 2 Hardened Edition (360 29.99)
Newegg - Tron CE (PS3/360 29.99)
Amazon - Duke Nukem Forever BOS Edition (PC 29.99)
Amazon - MK KE (360 43.72)

[Ro-J]

You might be interested in the memorabilia section of Game Deal Daily (http://www.gamedealdaily.com/index.php). Their 'deal of the day' can often be fairly impressive as well.

[Diatribal Deity]

40% Off Microsoft Kinect - Toys R Us deal added to OP. May or may not remain valid.

[Dobie]

Looks like the Kinect discount is dead. I just tried it all the way through checkout and the price remained $149.99.

[Diatribal Deity]

Added EA Store Birthday Discount (25% Off everything including pre-orders). The month of your birthday they will potentially send you an email if you have an account or previously registered. See OP for additional details...

[Diatribal Deity]

Sign up at Capcom store to receive exclusive offers and release notifications and be presented immediately with 10% off code. See OP for link.

[Diatribal Deity]

Damn, was gonna put up the ME2 Normandy lithograph from the Bioware Store, but it sold out in two hours...hope someone was able to grab one.

[Diatribal Deity]

Whenever I spot/pickup a reduced limited, collector, or special edition of note I will try to update the OP. Could be highly YMMV.

Most recent:

Bestbuy - Street Fighter IV Collector's Edition 360 ($19.99 orig. 79.99)
Bestbuy - Smackdown Vs. Raw 2009 Collector's Edition PS3 ($19.99 orig. 79.99)
Gamestop - Alien Vs. Predator Hunter Edition PS3 ($39.99 orig. 79.99)

[Diatribal Deity]

Dead Rising 2 High Stakes Edition exclusively available at Capcom store.

http://shop.capcom.com/store/capcomus/html/pbPage.dead-rising-2/ThemeID.21205600/

I have a soft spot for the original, so I have decided to splurge a bit and pick up both a 360 and PS3 version. The 10% off (use THANKYOUTEN all caps) helps a bit to soften the blow and the free shipping wasn't too shabby either. Supposedly, very limited, but this will remain to be seen.

[Diatribal Deity]

Just received an email from the Microsoft Store so YMMV (can be used on Kinect, systems, whatever):

this weekend only. Just use the code below:

Save $50 off any product of $100 or more


We've got Labor Day savings here at Microsoft Store. And now you've got even more reasons to shop, because this weekend only you'll save $50 off any product purchase of $100 or more*. Check out these great deals:


•Pre-order Kinect™ for Xbox 360® and take fun to a new level with controller-free gaming.•Ramp up for the most extreme Halo® experience yet! Pre-order Halo: Reach for Xbox 360, and get a token to download a Spartan Recon helmet. Let the battle begin!



So don't wait. Visit Microsoft Store and start saving right now. Remember get $50 off your product purchase of $100 or more,

Enter discount code at checkout to receive $50 off any single Microsoft Store product of $100 or more. Discount applies before taxes, shipping and handling charges and is limited to pre orders and stock on hand. Discount code expires at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, September 7, 2010. Discount code may only be used once and cannot be transferred, redeemed for cash or combined with any other offer or promotion. Not valid on previous orders or at Microsoft Store retail locations.

[Diatribal Deity]

New lithographs available at Bioware online store. Going very fast as usual...

Now $40 ($5 off for a few more days)
Shipping is $6 for 1

- Purgatory
- Pragia

http://biowarestore.com/mass-effect/mass-effect-lithographs

[Diatribal Deity]

Dragon Age II Kirkwall Gate Lithograph available for pre-order at Bioware store. Oversized. $50.

http://biowarestore.com/dragon-age-art

[Diatribal Deity]

ME2 Tali lithograph is gone at the Bioware store but Grunt and Thane remain because of a limit of one per person. Pick one up while you have the chance...

[Diatribal Deity]

Did you get some Amazon gift cards like I did for the Holidays? Might be worthwhile picking up these two. Although, depending on the run Force Unleashed II CE may go lower at some point.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow LE PS3 $39.99 (dead)

http://www.amazon.com/Castlevania-Lords-Shadow-Playstation-3/dp/B002I0J6DC/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1293376425&sr=1-1

Star Wars Force Unleashed II CE $39.99 (dead)

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Force-Unleashed-Xbox-360/dp/B0030EU3TG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293376196&sr=8-1

[Diatribal Deity]

Call of Duty: Black Ops Prestige Edition @ Bestbuy $79.99

YMMV in store for PS3 and 360

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=8202034348292737870&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=call+duty+black+ops+prestige&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960

[mobiusclimber]

I'm sure everyone already knows about this, but buying games directly from NIS America (http://store.nisamerica.com/) usually nets you extra goodies besides what normally comes w/ the LE. They also sell collectibles.

[megasdkirby]

I'm sure everyone already knows about this, but buying games directly from NIS America (http://store.nisamerica.com/) usually nets you extra goodies besides what normally comes w/ the LE. They also sell collectibles.

Wonderful!

Thanks for the tip! And I see that they will ship to PR at a very affordable rate!

SUPERB! :)

[Diatribal Deity]

Fable III LE can be found at BestBuy for $29.99. Combined with their current B2G1 free deal this is quite attractive if you can find them still.

[Diatribal Deity]

Duke Nukem Forever Balls of Steel Edition ($99.99) available for pre-order at Amazon and GS:

PS3
http://www.amazon.com/Duke-Nukem-Forever-Balls-Xbox-360/dp/B003O6E8UA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1297705947&sr=8-2

Gamestop
XBOX 360
http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/games/duke-nukem-forever-balls-of-steel-edition/90268

Fairly credible rumors suggest this is available in quantities only of 2000, but who really knows...

[Diatribal Deity]

50%+ off special offers (Bioshock lithos, prints, etc...) at the Take2Store. Shipping for one or two items may be high, but if you load your cart up like I did with various items it seems to be more digestible.

http://www.take2store.com/

[Diatribal Deity]

33% off the list price of one item. Valid 2/25 through 2/28/2011. Borders Rewards membership (free) required. Usual Borders restrictions and exclusions.

CODE: BVW1507R


Appears to be usable on pre-order of:

- Dragon Age II Collector's Edition: The Complete Official Gui... [Hardcover]
Piggyback
SKU: 0307890139

http://www.borders.com/online/store/...sku=0307890139


- Red Dead Redemption Game of the Year Limited Edition[Hardcover]

http://www.borders.com/online/store/...sku=0744012880


May not be immediately attractive factoring in shipping or compared to Amazon, but if you have some lingering or expiring Borders Bucks like I did it is not a bad deal at all!

[Diatribal Deity]

Just a general heads up! Some of the previously soldout Bioware ME2 lithographs will be in and out of stock all this week as they sell off the remaining residual ones. Keep your eyes out...I alas will probably be at work when they are available. Limit 1 per person - very limited supply left. Today was Normandy...<sniff>...it is gone again!

[Diatribal Deity]

40% OFF at Star Wars Shop Spring Cleaning Sale. Applies at checkout. Lasts til 03/20.

http://shop.starwars.com/catalog/category.xml?topcatID=461;category_id=100673

Pick up the SCIV Premium Edition (360) for a decent price!

[Diatribal Deity]

Alice: Madness Returns Tears full-sized lithograph. Limited edition of 500 printed, individually signed and numbered by US Artist, Julie Dillon.

18x24" Lithograph, 100lb. Paper

Price: $40.00

Seem to be selling them in bunches. Not exactly sure how many remain.

There is other interesting memorabilia available here as well.

http://alice2store.com/alice-art/tears-lithograph

[Diatribal Deity]

Archangel lithograph available at Bioware Store (see OP). $50. Not going as quick as others so if you have missed these in the past this might be your opportunity.

[Diatribal Deity]

Don't forget to pick this up before it is gone! (118 left as of this post)

http://biowarestore.com/media/mass-e...ectors-edition

Mass Effect Evolution Collectors Edition

This hardcover edition includes a signing plate with a pencil sketched version of the exclusive cover artwork by artist, Omar Francia, signed and numbered by Mac Walters.

Exclusively for the BioWare Store. Only 500 produced.

Hardcover Graphic Novel Collector's Edition, 112 pages

[Diatribal Deity]

Alice: Madness Returns Artbook (signed hardcover)

http://forbiddenplanet.com/77285-american-mcgees-alice-madness-returns-the-art-of-alice-signed-hardcover/

Might be a cheaper way to get this (especially non-signed) but due to the rave reviews the book is getting I am going to bite.

Can also get some of the lithographs at 50% off here thru today:

http://alice2store.com/

[Diatribal Deity]

Not sure how long this will last...

(1) Go here
https://secure.ubi.com/register/Login.aspx?lang=en-US&genomeId=7d5a9204-5860-4083-93fa-1a9a4fd957dd&NextURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2fDriver

(2) Register

(3) Get code, use code or sell code (might be able to get at least $25 for it with some patience)

[Diatribal Deity]

Capcom store up to 75% OFF Fall Blowout sale.

http://shop.capcom.com/store/capcomus/DisplayHomePage?resid=Tn5BSQoBAlYAAG@CMkUAAAAV&rests=1316922474019

Shipping kind of kills a small purchase but there is potential for some deals, especially if you ended up holding off on that DR2 High Stakes Edition like I did.