Tin boxes, limited edition artwork, extra DLC, memory sticks or soundtracks… just some of the “bonus” items bundled with the latest games for a small premium!

But what's the deal with all these special, limited and collector's edition boxsets?

You’d think that all of a publisher’s efforts before the launch of a key title would go into tweaking code and getting the graphics and gameplay spot on, wouldn’t you? But with so much competition nowadays – and ultimately, so much at stake – games companies are having to pull out all the stops to ensure that potential customers opt to buy their wares rather than someone else’s.

Perhaps it’s for that very reason that several versions of many games are hitting the shelves – and I’m not talking about the various console formats but Limited Edition boxsets.

Quite why these are so popular amongst today’s discerning gamers is beyond me. Afterall, why double your outlay on a new title just so you can be the proud owner of a few postcards or a figurine? These gimmicky toys have little use when all is said and done, and I’ll wager that many are quickly consigned to the back of a cupboard to gather dust.

Are they being bought because of some misguided expectation that they will one day be worth vast sums of money? Who knows – but there are certainly many of us out there who are desperate to get our hands on these trinkets and keepsakes.

Megabits decided to see what all the fuss was about and found a selection of the weird, wacky and woeful… Sadly, some are region specific so don't get too disappointed if you can't track them all down!!!

To fuel our growing hunger for upcoming zombiefest Dead Rising 2, we decided that should be our first point of call. What we found was a prime example of the kind of superfluous mementos that have become so popular. The collector's edition incorporates not only the game but its very own syringe pen, which may prove handy for administering all that Zombrex antidote! Not only that, but there's a making of DVD tucked away in the box too. An appropriately-titled "Outbreak Pack" is also on offer, boasting a 12" zombie figurine.

For the less bloodthirsty amongst you, there are plenty of cuter options out there too. What about snapping up the LittleBigPlanet 2 collector's edition? Not only do you get your very own 7" sackboy toy but there are loads of DLC costumes in there too and some bookends (!)

Love them or loathe them, you have to concede that these collectibles are getting increasingly inventive, don’t you think?

The latest addition to the Call of Duty franchise even trumps last year’s efforts... a special version of the much-coveted Black Ops game is bundled with a radio controlled car!

Keeping with the car theme, and not to be outdone, there are plenty of Gran Turismo 5 goodies to be had by PS3 petrolheads too... Depending on how much money you have to splurge on Polyphony Digital’s upcoming racer, you could be the proud owner of a die cast model of one of the hundreds of cars featured in the game, a strategy guide spanning several hundred pages, postcards and a key chain among other bits and pieces.

Xbox 360 owners shouldn’t feel too left out though. Both Fable III and Halo: Reach will be bundled with plenty of knick knacks when they are released in the coming months.

Molyneux’s brainchild will come in a box cunningly disguised as an old book, and will feature character playing cards, exclusive unlockable locations on the map and an alternative canine to accompany you on your quest through Albion.

The Limited edition of Halo: Reach, meanwhile, will be packaged in an “recovered ONI black box", (which apparently is just as exciting as it sounds), and will also include exclusive Elite armour for multiplayer and a bag containing the personal journal of none other than Dr Halsey. Alternatively, there's the Legendary Edition that includes a hefty-looking statue and a flaming helmet Spartan armour addon.

But these are by no means the coolest or quirkiest extras that we've come across. Here are some that have already hit the shelves…

As mentioned above, the Black Ops Prestige Edition must take credit for being a pretty decent collectible. But it still doesn't trump the efforts of Modern Warfare 2 last year.

What self respecting soldier wannabe wouldn’t want to own their very own pair of night vision goggles, eh? Reviews of the nice-looking headgear have been pretty favourable too, which suggests that it's perhaps worth spending that little bit extra?

Perhaps the Batman: Arkham Asylum boxset comes close as a must-have package for fans? Not only do you get a behind the scenes DVD, map pack DLC and Arkham Doctor's Journal, but there’s also a rather nifty 14” Batarang with stand in there too!

If you're into your weaponry then how about a gun used by our scantily clad heroine in Bayonetta?

We glossed over the inclusion of figurines above but they're by no means a new trend. If you look hard enough you can still get a mini Ryu or Crimson Viper statuette with your version of Street Fighter IV or an Assassins Creed Altair figure.

Fallout 3 addicts had plenty of options available to them too. There's a chunky metal lunch box and 5" Vault-Boy Bobble-Head Figurine or... wait for it... what about this replica of the Big Daddy? Even I’ll admit that he is pretty cool.

And who wouldn’t want a Chris Redfield statue on their shelf? Thankfully, I could get hold of one if I picked up the special collector's edition of Resident Evil 5. There are bags of goodies crammed into the box, including a Tricell bag, a BSAA patch, and a pendant. WOW!

For the more fashionable amongst you, what about sporting a Far Cry 2 T-shirt? Snap up the boxset and there’s also a book featuring artwork from the game, a guide, making of DVD and a map – ideal for traversing the absolutely huge gameworld.

On the face of it, the God of War III Ultimate Edition looks great too - but there's little inside the intriguingly ornate box to get the juices flowing. Besides the game, there's some artwork and DLC codes for the soundtrack and a documentary.

Last, but by no means least, is Starcraft II's recent effort. Flash your cash and you could be the proud owner of... yep, you guessed it, a 176-page book featuring artwork from the game!
Actually, the main selling point seems to be a 2GB USB flash drive replica of Jim Raynor's dog tag - including the original game and expansion pack. If that's not enough, there's a behind-the-scenes DVD containing over an hour of developer interviews, an official soundtrack CD "containing 14 epic tracks from the game along with exclusive bonus tracks". There's even a comic book thrown in there for good measure and some other sundries too.

There's certainly plenty out there to spend your money on - but, to be frank, there's very little that looks like an essential purchase. Granted, this is only the tip of an ever-growing iceberg of special edition boxsets but to continue the analogy, they all leave me cold (except perhaps for the goggles!).

The important part of any games purchase is surely the game itself, right? Personally, I'd prefer the time, money and effort went into adding a few more levels or a great multiplayer mode. Give me awe-inspiring graphics, sound and gameplay any day. Surely, there can't be THAT many people out there who would prefer a gimmick instead???

(Photo credits: Fable III, LittleBigPlanet 2, Modern Warfare 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Bayonetta, Assassin's Creed, Fallout 3 bobble head,Fallout 3 Big Daddy, Resident Evil 5, God of War III, Starcraft 2)