As someone who’s been collecting video game special editions since the days of chunky strategy guides and cheap cardboard boxes, I’ve got to say – some of the stuff publishers have cooked up over the years is absolutely bonkers. Most of the time you’ll find a decent statue, an art book, maybe some exclusive DLC and a steelbook if you’re lucky. But every now and then, a collector’s edition drops that makes you do a double-take, filled with things you’d never in a million years expect to find alongside a disc or a download code. I’m talking about practical gadgets, creepy music boxes, and even sets that straight-up leave out the game itself. Let me walk you through some of the most creative – and downright weird – collector’s editions I’ve ever come across, some of which are still a hot topic in 2026.

Sifu: Redemption Edition – The Art Book That Puts Others to Shame

When Sifu got its Switch release, the Redemption Edition came out swinging – no joke. Instead of the typical 50-page art book that you flip through once and forget about, this bad boy packs a massive 160-page developer’s diary. For anyone like me who’s obsessed with concept art and behind-the-scenes magic, it’s the holy grail. On top of that, you get lithographs, the digital soundtrack, a steelbook, a pendant, and a slick figurine of the main character in a fighting stance. The game itself is an absolute banger of a beat ‘em up with cinematic martial arts woven into every punch and kick, so having all this extra swag just feels right.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard – The Mansion That Sings a Lullaby of Nightmares

Capcom really leaned into the horror with this one. Forget a figure of Jack Baker – you get the whole Baker mansion, and it’s a working music box! When you wind it up, it plays “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” and lights up, casting the shadow of little Eveline in one of the windows. I swear, it’s like something straight out of a Poltergeist movie. And as if that wasn’t creepy enough, the USB drive included is shaped like a bendable dummy finger. The 2017 survival horror masterpiece still gives me chills, and this edition is the perfect companion for a lights-out playthrough.

Dragon Age: Inquisition – Bringing the War Table Home

BioWare absolutely nailed the immersion factor with this one. The Inquisition collector’s edition throws in a cloth map and war table pieces that make you feel like you’re actually plotting grand strategies in Thedas. You also get an Inquisitor badge, Orlesian coins, a lockpicking set, an ink and quill set, a leather-wrapped sketchbook, and even a deck of tarot cards. Honestly, the only thing missing is some red wax and a seal stamp for your secret correspondence. For a franchise known for deep lore and romantic entanglements, this edition truly lets you live out your fantasy ruler dreams.

Mafia 3 – Spinning Vinyl in the Bayou

Soundtracks usually come as a download code you redeem and promptly forget about. Not with Mafia 3. Fitting the 1960s New Bordeaux vibe, this edition includes two actual vinyl records – one with the classic hits from the radio and another with the original score. You also nab an art book, drink coasters from Sammy’s bar, replica dog tags, and some art prints that include a Playboy magazine page (a callback to collectibles in the previous game). The story of Lincoln Clay’s revenge against the Marcano family is already dripping with atmosphere, and listening to those crackling records while you play? Pure magic.

Among Us: Ejected Edition – Cozy Chaos

Spending big bucks on a collector’s edition for a simple social deduction game might sound silly, but the Ejected Edition is surprisingly affordable and loaded with cozy goodies you don’t see every day. Alongside the steelbook and a map, you get a fleece blanket printed with sleepy Crewmates, a red beanie, a purple Crewmate plush, a lanyard, and a bunch of stickers. Let me tell you, nothing beats wrapping yourself in that blanket while you fake tasks and loudly accuse your friends of being the Impostor. It’s the perfect way to make those tense voting moments a whole lot comfier.

Bully – A Rubber Ball and a Nostalgia Trip

Rockstar could have given us a slingshot replica or a detailed statue of Jimmy Hopkins, but instead they threw in a blue rubber ball with the Bully logo and a comic book. At first glance it’s almost laughably simple, but that ball hits right in the nostalgia – it’s exactly the kind you’d whip at someone’s face in dodgeball or bounce around a handball court. For a game that masterfully packs GTA-style shenanigans into a prep school setting, this oddball collector’s item is a humble nod to the schoolyard chaos we all remember.

Red Dead Redemption 2 – The Box Without a Game

Here’s where things get truly wild. Rockstar released a Collector’s Box for Red Dead Redemption 2 that didn’t actually include the game. Yeah, you read that right. Inside you’d find a heavy metal box with a lock and key, a double-sided puzzle of Saint Denis, a shopping catalog, a red bandana, and a deck of playing cards – but you had to buy the game separately. It was a head-scratcher, but for die-hard fans, those western-flavored trinkets were irresistible. Even without the disc, this hard-to-find box became a collector’s grail, and it pairs beautifully with what is still one of the greatest narrative open-world games ever made.

Gears 5 Jack Drone Collector’s Edition – No Game, Just Flight

Following the no-game trend, Gears 5 offered a superb set for tech-loving fans. The star of the show is a fully functional, flyable drone styled exactly like the Jack robot from the series. As a long-time Gears player, I can confirm it’s seriously cool to buzz this little guy around your living room. The set also comes with a steelbook, an exclusive in-game Jack skin, a DB Industries patch, an ID badge, and a blueprint. It’s the ultimate fusion of gaming fandom and real-world gadgetry, and honestly, it’s still one of my all-time favorites.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Juggernog Edition – A Mini Fridge for Your Cans

If you’ve ever sunk hours into Zombies mode, you know the Juggernog jingle is forever etched into your brain. This edition turned the iconic perk machine into a working mini fridge that holds up to 12 cans – and it even comes with coasters featuring other perk drinks. The bundle also included the game, the season pass, and an extra Zombies map. I’ve used this fridge for years, and every time I grab a cold one, I can’t help but hum that tune. It’s practical, nostalgic, and absolutely one of a kind.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Dark Edition – Night Vision for the Win

Saving the most jaw-dropping for last. The 2019 Modern Warfare reboot had a “Dark Edition” that gifted you a pair of actual night vision goggles, modeled after those used in the Clean House mission. This wasn’t a cheap toy – these goggles have an adjustable strap and a long-range IR mode that can see up to 65 feet in pitch darkness. The first time you pop them on and peer into the gloom, you feel like you’ve stepped right into Price’s boots. Even though we’re now years into the revived franchise, this edition remains a benchmark for practical, mind-blowing collector’s items.

From mini fridges to flyable drones and vinyl records, these editions prove that developers can get wonderfully creative when they really want to surprise their biggest fans. It’s 2026, and I’m still hunting down a few of these on the second-hand market – and when I find them, you can bet I’ll be the happiest nerd on the planet.