What do you look for in a Collector's Edition?

[Hazerd]

Action figures? Exclusive content? Trinkets?

Personally not a big fan of collector's editions, the last one i bought was the LoZ: Skyward sword gold wii mote one, if you can even count that as a Collector's edition.

[GameMasterGuy]

A soundtrack and something small that represents the game.

[brunoafh]

Things that interest me:
-Soundtrack (a good one like the recent KoF XIII one for instance, not just some promo one with 10 tracks)
-Something completely unique
-Steel cases (like the Capcom ones) or nicely put together packaging
-Other games physically included
-Bonus DVDs

Things that don't interest me:
-Useless art book
-Huge ass box/goofy collector's box (like the GoW III one)
-Digital content
-Alternate cover art
-When it's more $20 more than retail
-Figures

[BoneSnapDeez]

I basically agree with brunoafh, though I love art books (especially if it's an anime-style game) and figures.

The huge ass boxes are the worst. What the hell is up with the Skyrim collector's edition?! I was shopping for games shortly after the Skyrim release and a lot of people seemed to think that a console was included with the collector's edition. That's when you know your box is too effin big.

For the record, I almost never buy collector's editions because the price is usually too high. Recent exceptions include LoH: TitS (only about $5 more than the regular edition) and Otomedius Excellent (I wanted that pillowcase!).

[Veno]

I mainly look for artbooks, soundtracks, anything that looks interesting, but all for an affordable price.

For instance, the Blazblue Continuum Shift Extend Limited Edition comes with an artbook, soundtrack, and calendar, all inside a nice box that really shows off the beautiful cover art, all for $60, the regular retail price of a new game these days.

[Hazerd]

The Uncharted 3 box is big enough to have a console in it, along with Gears Of War 3 collectors (even though there is a console for GoW3 lol)

[Flake]

A clearance sale sticker.

[Hazerd]

A clearance sale sticker.

LOL, i see that so much with current gen consoles, Star Wars The Forced Unleashed 2 collectors are still around and will be for the next 50 years, the same with Gears Of War 3 collectors, i even see Aion collector's and that game as gone F2P!

sigh

[Redifer]

Things that interest me:
-A normal box that I can put on my shelf which does not stick out like a cancerous tumor among the other games. Therefore a normal game box must be included with the collector's edition. No steel boxes. Why would I want a steel box? Are there random bullets whizzing around my home?
-The soundtrack. That is assuming the game has music that I want to listen to outside of the game itself which is very, very rare these days. Game music is trying so hard to be like movie music these days (all overdramatic and the such), just like games desperately want to be movies themselves. Also, I want every piece of music included in the soundtrack, not just a few "select pieces". Otherwise, what's the point?

Things that do not interest me:
-Everything else. I buy a game to play the game, not display trinkets or hang a folded poster on my wall.

That said, normal editions of games are almost always preferable for me. They are cheaper and have a smaller bullshit factor. The same philosphy applies to movies. I usually print my own covers for movies that come in digibook packaging so I can put them on the shelf in a normal Blu-ray case. The normal, plastic cases are ALWAYS better for the disc than anything else.

[CFFJR]

The huge ass boxes are the worst. What the hell is up with the Skyrim collector's edition?! I was shopping for games shortly after the Skyrim release and a lot of people seemed to think that a console was included with the collector's edition. That's when you know your box is too effin big.

To be fair, it also came with a huge (and awesome) statue.

As for what I look for, nothing in particular to be honest. I judge each one on a case by case basis. A lot of it depends on the game itself and how much I like whatever franchise it comes from.

For instance, it bugs the crap out of me that the Sonic Generations collector's edition only came out in Europe, as I definitely would have bought that. (Please no links to ebay, I'm not paying 300 bucks for the damn thing) I liked what it contained, particularly the statue, but at the same time I was thinking "ooh, its Sonic". I probably would have picked up any special edition of the game, regardless of what it contained.

All that said though, I rarely buy special editions (again, its usually reserved for games I already know I'm going to love) and I definitely agree that the idea is being overused.