I can't think of an industry where this is not only super prevalent... but how many people even genuinely pre-order literally anything else (DVDs? Books?) bar to get it right away?
Inspired by Scott the Woz's newest video, let's talk about and share some bonuses, such as ones we got that we liked, didn't like, or just were down right goofy or fun regardless.
My good examples absolutely have to be the GC's disc bonuses. My fav in particular being the Pokémon Colosseum bonus disc:
This was a nifty thing that not only gave you a few trailers, including for Colosseum and the 6th movie; Jirachi Wish Maker. But it also had something exclusive to it in NA; the ability to get a Jirachi in the 3rd-gen games (well Ruby and Sapphire at the very least). In EU folks got Jirachi in Pokemon Channel instead.
Scott also brings up what may be one of the best ever ones; the Zelda bonus disc with Wind Waker:
I didn't get Wind Waker (only rented it) so I never got the disc. But that's still one hell of a bonus.
And of course you get the silly "we still had swag we couldn't sell" ones like... Call of Duty socks (IIRC), or pictured and in the video, a FOOTBALL with Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag from Best Buy:
Then there's the digital-only bonuses. Stuff you're shit outta luck with if you go retail or got the digital version after launch. Obviously a way for publishers to bypass the retailer cut more easily.
Stuff like Daemon X Machina on Switch, which gave you:
I think the latter five were decals for the mechs. And the plugsuits were for your character to wear.
Another example was New Super Lucky's Tale for Switch which came with a spacesuit. I don't think this was even in the PS4 and XBO versions, but I could be wrong (one achievement pic on XBO showed the suit though).
Of course Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity as well with the Lucky Ladle, but they say it "may" be available at a later date as paid DLC, but KT (the dev here) do that with their own games and don't commonly deliver on that.
And who could forget Super Mario 3D All-Stars' pre-order bonus where if you don't order before March 31st, 2021, you don't even get to play the game digitally... ever! 🙃
What about you folks? Any other examples you want to share?
Inspired by Scott the Woz's newest video, let's talk about and share some bonuses, such as ones we got that we liked, didn't like, or just were down right goofy or fun regardless.
My good examples absolutely have to be the GC's disc bonuses. My fav in particular being the Pokémon Colosseum bonus disc:
This was a nifty thing that not only gave you a few trailers, including for Colosseum and the 6th movie; Jirachi Wish Maker. But it also had something exclusive to it in NA; the ability to get a Jirachi in the 3rd-gen games (well Ruby and Sapphire at the very least). In EU folks got Jirachi in Pokemon Channel instead.
Scott also brings up what may be one of the best ever ones; the Zelda bonus disc with Wind Waker:
I didn't get Wind Waker (only rented it) so I never got the disc. But that's still one hell of a bonus.
And of course you get the silly "we still had swag we couldn't sell" ones like... Call of Duty socks (IIRC), or pictured and in the video, a FOOTBALL with Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag from Best Buy:
Then there's the digital-only bonuses. Stuff you're shit outta luck with if you go retail or got the digital version after launch. Obviously a way for publishers to bypass the retailer cut more easily.
Stuff like Daemon X Machina on Switch, which gave you:
Prototype Arsenal
Prototype Plugsuit
Metallic Plugsuit
ZAW-08SC Habakiri
HAW-R01C Grim Reaper
SAW-B17C Gillingr Impact
HAW-M01C Silver Raven
SAW-AM02C Thunderbird
I think the latter five were decals for the mechs. And the plugsuits were for your character to wear.
Another example was New Super Lucky's Tale for Switch which came with a spacesuit. I don't think this was even in the PS4 and XBO versions, but I could be wrong (one achievement pic on XBO showed the suit though).
Of course Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity as well with the Lucky Ladle, but they say it "may" be available at a later date as paid DLC, but KT (the dev here) do that with their own games and don't commonly deliver on that.
And who could forget Super Mario 3D All-Stars' pre-order bonus where if you don't order before March 31st, 2021, you don't even get to play the game digitally... ever! 🙃
What about you folks? Any other examples you want to share?