Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition: The Great Debate

I have been having an internal debate as of late in regards to the recently announced Prestige Edition of the Modern Warfare 2 package that will be hitting retail this November. With three SKU’s on the books, gamers once again are going to have to decide how ‘big’ of a fan they are of their beloved franchise. Two years ago I declared myself a huge fan of Halo by spending the big bucks on the Legendary Edition of Halo 3. I do not regret the purchase, but had I waited a few months I could have saved big time on the ‘cat-helmet’. So once again decision time will be rearing its ugly head, this time for the Call of Duty franchise.

Initially I was stoked about the package as I have always wanted to own my own pair of night vision goggles (even if they are just a low-grade version). That and the whole box and collection looks very cool. Then I began to look at the slew of Fall releases leading up to Christmas and began to realize that spending $150+ dollars for one game and no game-related peripheral probably is not the best idea. It is a rare occasion when I come to my senses and think responsibly when it comes to game purchases and Collector's Editions. I wouldn’t come away empty handed in this situation. The Hardened Edition still comes with all the really cool stuff like the download code for the first Call of Duty and a Modern Warfare art book. Not a bad haul indeed.

I was pretty comfortable with the decision I had made until Robert Bowling, Infinity Ward’s community manager had to open his big mouth. Robert went on the record and said that the Prestige Edition would truly be limited, and once the game launched, no more of this particular edition would be produced. That tugged at the collector heart-strings in me and once again made me second guess my choice. Now I should not put too much stock into that statement, I happen to remember Bungie stating the same thing two years ago with their Legendary Edition. Too this day you can still find it at a greatly reduced price.

In the end I believe common sense will win out, not because I am smart, but rather I am poor. Between all the cool other games, guides, and extras I plan to pick up I will need every last cent. So I think the debate just may be over…for now.

Modern Warfare 2

Twitter: @superghost

Source: SUPERGHOST's Haunted House of Xbox

(5)

Toby Davis

August 14, 2009

I would only really look forward to the regular PSN/XBLA game.

Lance Darnell

You raise some good points Patrick. I too bought the Cat Helmet Edition of Halo 3, and though I have not seen it around for a while where I live, I am sure you could still find one for a very reduced price. I just picked up a reduced Special Edition of GTA4 for the PS3 for $30, and it was brand new. So no matter what Robert Bowling says, I think the Prestige Edition will be around for a while after launch, and possibly will be able to be found for a reduced coast down the road. And I mean way down the road, for Modern Warfare only dropped price where I live about three months ago.

But if I ignore common sense, I want those see-in-the-dark goggles!!!

Patrick Bonk

I have never played the first CoD, so I am quite interested in that bonus. I am probably one of the few that bought CoD4's Limited Edition. It was not much to speak of, cool little art book though...

Kyle Wright

"Robert went on the record and said that the Prestige Edition would truly be limited, and once the game launched, no more of this particular edition would be produced."

The credibility of that statement is up in the air for me. If the SKU sells well and stores find demand to remain high for it, they WILL produce more of them.

Tim King

August 22, 2009

It definitely does suck to see all the halo helmets still available but i know as soon as I go

"Man, they'll make plenty and be available for cheap a few months later"

It will back fire on me and i won't be able to find one without it being 500 bucks on ebay.