Little Big Planet 2 and Collectors Editions: Are They Worth it?

From the Vault — originally published January 19, 2011. Some links, videos or prices may be out of date.

With Little Big Planet 2 out now in stores I wanted to take a look to see if the ‘Collectors Edition’ was actually worth it. I have generally been trying to cut down the amount of “stuff” I have laying about. Most if it ends up collecting dust and then even obstacles in the way of cleaning up the underlying dust.

In any case the Little Big Planet Collectors Edition is about $20 more than the standard edition which just includes the game. This Collectors Edition includes the following: (Note: [] = My assigned value)

– A copy of LittleBigPlanet 2 – [$59.99]
– Sackboy 7” plushie – $12.99
– LittleBigPlanet 2 Bookends /game ends- [$5.99]
– 11 Downloadable Sackboy Costumes, including: [$5.99 per pack of 5 costumes = about $14 total]
– 5 exclusive LittleBigPlanet 2 PSN Avatars [.49 x 5 = $2.49]

Based on my rough calculations the collectors edition its about a $95.46 value sold at $79.99. So those who buy the collectors edition save about $15 over say buying these items separately assuming they would be available for purchase separately. Some are not but you get the point. The question is whether there are enough things listed above of interest you and warrant spending the extra $20.

Also consider that every item in your home has a monetary value you can associate with it just because it takes up space. If you think about it, you pay rent, or a mortgage for your home and every thing that takes up space eats up a certain quantifiable amount of space that you no longer have to move about. So there is value you can assign to this storage of anything you own. Interesting stuff. Also scientists have found that there is a “cost” you can associate with things laying about that you just actually look at. Distractions, energy lost from disgust when looking at regretted purchases, you know that sort of thing. They recommend getting rid of things laying around you do not like or associate with negative experiences. For example bad gifts you have received.

Reminds me of this quote from George Carlin:

“This is my stuff, that’s your stuff, that’ll be his stuff over there. That’s all you need in life, a little place for your stuff. That’s all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. If you didn’t have so much stuff, you wouldn’t need a house. You could just walk around all the time.

A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you’re taking off in an airplane. You look down, you see everybody’s got a little pile of stuff. All the little piles of stuff. And when you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. “

As more and more of these collectors editions with cat helmets and other do-dads become available I think its important that we look at what the true value is and whether its really worth it. I would like to think of my self as a game player more so than a game item hoarder. Besides there are quite a few great full games that can be purchased with $20. We all miss out on some. Consider reading some past game reviews and get a discounted game next time instead of that collectors edition.

Do you buy Collectors Editions? If so why?