Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 received overwhelming praise from critics and fans alike in 2009, but that’s not what makes this version so worthwhile. The Prestige Edition of the game comes with fully functioning night vision goggles and a dummy head to display them on (plus the game itself, obviously).
How many of your friends can honestly claim to own military grade equipment in their own home? This set may not be cheap, and almost impossible to find in new condition, but the goggles make for great conversation starters and party tricks.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Collector’s Edition
New: $285
You can’t say Bethesda doesn’t know how to do a special edition. This version of Skyrim comes with an intimidating 12” statue of the dragon Alduin, a 200-page art book, a commentary DVD, and a cloth map of the eponymous Nordic region.
Unfortunately, this collector’s edition is hard to find, at least with all items included, and will set you back a fair amount if purchased brand new. The good news is that Skyrim appears to be re-releasing on every device under the sun these days, so it seems likely that this won’t retain its market worth and steep price label forever.
NBA Elite 11
Used: $3599.99
Just the box: $3250
Here it is. The rarest of rare. By all accounts, NBA Elite 11 doesn’t even officially exist as a video game. It's so rare, in fact, that I couldn't even find an image of the PS3 packshot online, so this Xbox 360 one will have to make do. The mobile to console port was cancelled before it was due to release but, in the words of Jurassic Park’s Ian Malcolm, life finds a way, and a few copies of NBA Elite 11 managed to fall into circulation and eventually into the hands of some very lucky gamers. A used copy is now going for nearly $3600 online. If you’re just interested in the empty casing, it’s not nearly as cheap as you might think, currently running at $3250.
SOCOM 4 Full Deployment Edition
New: $471
Hey! Remember SOCOM 4? If you’re a collector, you really should, as the curiously named “Deployment Edition” of the game is now going for nearly $500 online. The good news is that the included PlayStation Move controllers and camera have recently been given a renewed lease of life, as they can still work as peripherals for PlayStation VR, making this a purchase that won’t just be sitting on the shelf all day. I’d even wager that you might be able to use the bundled in “Shooter gun” controller with the recently released Farpoint game. prices, so get on it now while you still can.
Marvel Vs. Capcom 2
New: $197
For years, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was a famously elusive rarity, and PS2-era copies regularly went for over $60 used. Capcom made it available digitally in 2009, but unwilling to let the game lose its edge in the market, the company released a limited edition version with a case. No game disc. Just a case with a code for Marvel vs. Capcom 2. You can imagine what happened next. If you want your own sealed version of the game, prepare to shell out way more money than you should. There’s currently one going for close to $200. Yep.
Owned an Xbox 360? Could one of your old games be worth a (small) fortune? Don't miss our list of the rarest and most valuable Xbox 360 games.
