The following guide was written by Kennyrh on our forums.

It occurs to me that a few people might be interested in collecting Limited Editions etc but are daunted by the sheer volume and availability . . .well, help is at hand in this quick guide to what I term “non-regular editions.”

The most important decision you need to make when contemplating a collection of this nature concerns condition. There are only two ways to go . . .new/sealed games and nothing else will do or used/new with a bit more flexibilty toward condition.

If new/sealed is your thing then the only advice I can give you is this. Check ALL online stockists for the best deal or, if you have the time, visit your local games shops on a regular basis. Online isn’t ALWAYS the cheapest.

Secondly and more importantly . . .be patient. Very often new CE/LEs are discounted by some outlets a couple of months after release. A good example would be the Final Fantasy XIII CE which dropped by £20 a couple of months after it went on sale. The more patience you have the more money you may save.

The bulk of this guide is therefore dedicated to the less-discerning collector who is willing to embrace the used market. The pitfalls here can be many and I’ll try to pass on my experience in this area by way of a guide to do’s and dont’s.

1) It may seem obvious but worth mentioning anyway that you need to check that the game is complete and in acceptable condition. Use online resources to check what should be inside the box or use my database here . . .viewtopic.php?f=16&t=279 . . .This has pictures of the contents of every Playstation 3 non-regular edition of which I am aware.

2) Research your prices online or at your local gamestore before deciding on your purchase. Many online outlets such as play.com and Amazon.co.uk have a used section and are an alternative to ebay.

3) Write it down. If you fancy one or more Collectors Editions get a notebook and write the contents down. Sometimes it’s not obvious that a game is incomplete. For instance, many steelbooks have an outer plastic sleeve and may be cheap because it is missing. But remember that the plastic sleeve is one of the reasons why it’s a CE so don’t be fooled.

4) If you go the used route then Downloadable Content or DLC for short can be a thorny problem. With most second-hand CEs the DLC is either missing or already redeemed at PSN. If you love the game and can’t live without the DLC then there are two ways around it. A lot of the stuff you can buy from Playstation Network. If it’s pre-order incentive DLC then you will need to visit ebay where people sell vouchers for various games.

5) A scratched disc is not necessarily a deal-breaker if you find a good price. Most local games shops offer a cheap disc-cleaning service which, in many cases, erases all but the deepest of scratches.

6) If you are considering a purchase from ebay, don’t be afraid to contact the seller to find out exactly what’s in the auction and it’s condition. Many sellers don’t give adequate details of their items in the listing.

7) When shopping locally, don’t be slow to haggle. If you see an item you fancy at one shop for £20 and GAME have one in better condition for £25 then ask them to price match. If you have a loyalty card with whoever then get them to match a cheaper price that you may have seen.
Also when shopping locally get the shop assistant to show you the game contents and disk condition BEFORE he puts that daft seal on . . . AND . . .if the item happens to be new then don’t accept shoddy goods. If the box is bashed or dented then ask them for another copy. New means new and that is your right.

9) If there’s a used item that you MUST have then ask your local shop assistant to set one aside if somebody trades it in. Most shops will keep an item by for a couple of days. If you use ebay then utilise the “favourite search” option and you wil be notified if one becomes available.

10) Of course, price is a major determining factor when making a purchase. Unfortunately used game prices for CE/LEs are wildly variable. My database includes a market watch and value for money section but these are purely subjective and not as thoroughly researched as they would need to be for infallibility. Use them as a guide but use your own instincts and try not to pay silly prices.

Okay, if I think of anything else I’ll let y’all know. Meanwhile . . .HAPPY HUNTING