Army of Two the Devil's Cartel Overkill Edition

Sometimes a game knows exactly what it is and leans all the way in. Army of Two The Devil's Cartel Overkill Edition for PlayStation 3 is the embodiment of that energy: loud, loaded, and dripping with extras that match the over-the-top co-op chaos the series is known for. This GameStop-exclusive PS3 release packed a ridiculous amount of DLC into a standard case, making it the definitive way to experience the game at launch.

The content list reads like a cartel armory. You've got the TAH-9 handgun, a Double-D Shotgun, an AK-47 with Day of the Dead skinning, and enough outfits and masks to keep both you and your co-op partner looking appropriately unhinged. The Polymer set, Overkill set, and Day of the Dead masks give you cosmetic variety that actually matters in a game built around buddy-system mayhem. The Overkillers contract adds mission content on top of all that.

What makes this interesting for collectors is the distribution model. In the US, every GameStop pre-order and day-one purchase was automatically upgraded to the Overkill Edition. That sounds generous until you realize it means the standard edition barely exists in the wild for that retailer. Pre-orders also scored the Hit Maker Kit, featuring a bonus co-op mission and custom gear designed by B.o.B and Big Boi. That crossover between hip-hop culture and shooter mayhem is peak early 2010s gaming, and it gives this edition a time-capsule quality that only gets more interesting with age.

For PS3 collectors who appreciate the console wars era in all its bombastic glory, the Overkill Edition is a snapshot of a very specific moment in gaming history.