Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition

Los Santos never looked better than the first time we cracked open that steelbook. The Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition on PlayStation 3 was our introduction to Rockstar's most ambitious world, wrapped in a steelbook case with a blueprint map and a suite of DLC that made the early hours of the game feel like a VIP experience. This was the original launch, the PS3 version that broke sales records and proved open-world gaming had officially gone mainstream.

The blueprint map is a gorgeous piece of cartography, laying out Los Santos and Blaine County in a style that doubles as wall art. Stunt plane trials, special ability boosts, bonus outfits, tattoos, and additional weapons gave early adopters bragging rights before the online grind consumed everything. The steelbook itself is clean, understated Rockstar design, the kind of case that sits on a shelf and commands respect without screaming for attention.

GTA V has been re-released on seemingly every platform since, but this PS3 Special Edition represents ground zero. It's the version that started a cultural phenomenon, and owning it in its original form is a statement about where you were when it all kicked off.