Aliens: Colonial Marines Collector's Edition

They built a Powerloader. They put it in a Xeno Hive box. That alone should be enough, but the Aliens Colonial Marines Collector's Edition on Xbox 360 went further, assembling a package that remains one of the most visually striking CE boxes from the entire seventh generation.

The high-quality resin Powerloader figurine is the crown jewel. It's not a cheap PVC miniature. It's resin, with weight and detail that make it a genuine display piece. The limited edition Xeno Hive packaging doubles as a diorama-style housing, meaning even the box itself is part of the presentation. That's a level of packaging design that most CEs never even attempt.

All four movie characters are playable: Hudson, Hicks, Drake, and Apone. Ripley's flamethrower is in the arsenal. The exclusive multiplayer weapons include the Sonic Electronic Ball Breakers and the Phase Plasma Rifle, both of which are deep-cut references that reward franchise knowledge. The USCM Academy Firing Range is an exclusive game level that gave CE owners their own playground.

The additional marine customization options round out a package that was clearly designed by people who loved these films. Every DLC inclusion ties back to something from the Aliens universe, not just generic weapon skins with franchise branding slapped on.

The game's troubled legacy has done something unexpected for this CE. It's turned it into a time capsule of ambition meeting reality. The Powerloader figure doesn't care about Metacritic scores. It looks incredible on a shelf regardless. Collectors who appreciate the physical object separate from the software will find this one holds up beautifully. The resin figure and hive box alone justify the hunt.