Call of Juarez: The Cartel Special Edition

The Wild West went modern, and the Special Edition came dressed for the occasion. Call of Juarez: The Cartel Special Edition on Playstation 3 wraps the franchise's contemporary pivot in exclusive cover art and two in-game bonuses that give you an edge in the field. The Kevlar bulletproof vest keeps you standing longer during firefights, while the optical scope sharpens your aim when precision matters most.

Call of Juarez shifting from the Old West to modern-day drug cartels was a bold move that polarized fans, but collectors know that controversial entries often become the most interesting pieces on a shelf. The Special Edition's unique cover art alone separates it visually from the standard release, giving it instant identity in a PS3 library. During the PS3 generation, shooters were everywhere, and publishers had to find creative ways to make their special editions stand out.

Techland went the practical route here, with in-game gear that actually impacts how you play rather than cosmetic fluff. For collectors building out a complete Call of Juarez set or cataloging the PS3's sprawling shooter library, the Special Edition fills its role cleanly. The alternate cover art gives it display value, and the in-game extras give it distinction.

Sometimes that's all a solid special edition needs to do.