I know what you mean... a little extra money for some stuff that was really cool was nice... now, they way over charge for a bunch of stuff that you don't even really want. They obviously aren't very limited because you can usually but them a few months later for much, much less money.

At least we are still getting collector's editions that have some actual bonus items... all these games that give you exclusive in-game items, like cars, characters, etc. are what really bother me... but then again, I'm not a fan of DLC

The answer is honestly a simple one, but one that stings the shit out of people at the same time: BECAUSE PEOPLE BUY THAT SHIT AND ACCEPT IT.

Seriously, if people would stop giving publishers money for the crap they put out there, the publishers would be forced to stop doing it and actually give you something you would buy. Power of the dollar. However, rather than doing this, you get the dipshits that MUST buy the legendary, 150.00 edition of a game on day 1 to be the "elite rabid mark out guy." Meantime, the rest of us are comfortable waiting 6-9 months and buying that same damn edition for the same price or even less than the regular edition.

So basically, the answer to your question is because most people are sheep and are willing to pay extra for shit. Until they stop, the publishers wont.

In regards to "legendary" edition... I'm actually going to buy the epic edition of gears of war (the $150 one) on launch day, simply because it's the end of the trilogy to my favorite xbox 360 franchise.

Well people buy it so they produce it more just like with dlc ( stupid oblivion horse armor started it all ) limited editions are a waste. Oh Wow a little statue with an art book. You can look at concept art online nowadays

I'm pretty sure that the only limited edition game i bought on day 1 was Halo 2. It had a stainless steel case and a badass picture of Master Chief on the back. But that was the only one.

Every time i'm tempted to spend the extra $$$, i realize i can live without the extra goodies...

If I am oober pumped for a game I usually opt for the limited edition hardback guide instead of the limited edition of the game, because imo the things offered in premium/limited editions has always been garbage.

@smart not to mention that special editions ( especially latley ) drop in price fast to the point that they are cheaper then the vanilla edition

My favorite collectors edition is for a game I didn't especially like, Doom 3 on the Xbox. Metal case AND

Quote: Special Collector's Edition features the classic Doom and Doom 2, plus a special G4 show, art gallery, developer interviews and more.

Two free classic games + bonus features? So much win.

I miss collector's Editions that are actually collector's editions... like my Bioshock that came with the statue.

The Duke Nukem collector's edition looked pretty sweet on my monitor until I saw the size of it in real life.... That damned "Duke Bust" was like 2.5 inches. Never bought it. The least they could have done to validate the purchase would be a documentary behind the years of development and snippets of all the playable builds for the fans to play on the PC.

The best collectors editions will never overcharge.

Note worthy

Blazblue limited edition
Demon Souls Deluxe edition
Bioshock 2 Limited edition (at $30 it was a steal)

Yea "Collectors Edition" is getting overused. Most of the bonuses are crap. Although The Witcher 2 one had some nice stuff, I was tempted but not for $129. If I could find it for $40 or something I'd probably get it.

This is why you wait for them to drop in price. Only a select number of collector's editions are actually made in limited quantity. For example, the Prestige Edition of Black Ops was marked down to $15 at Best Buy recently, and other CE's have been 50% off as well. Then you have games like the Mass Effect CE which you won't find for cheap.

And I'll get a CE if it's for a game I really want and it comes with something I really want (Kollector's Edition of Mortal Kombat for example, I really wanted those bookends).

Little Big Planet 2 was nice with the bookshelfs. I wanted to get the Infamous 2 CE with the bag but $100 is too steep.

@Josh: It's going for $60 at Gamestop now.

You're complaining about overpriced collector's editions, but you're buying the $150 Gears of War thing?

Want to know the cause of overpriced CEs?

Look in the mirror.

@Feeding the Abscess well said, good sir