LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean Special Edition

LEGO and Pirates of the Caribbean were a perfect match, and this Special Edition made sure collectors got a little something extra to prove it. The LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean Special Edition on PS3 bundled the full game with an exclusive LEGO mini figure, a mini strategy guide, and a LEGO Club membership offer. That mini figure is the real draw here.

Exclusive LEGO figures have a way of appreciating in value that puts most stock portfolios to shame, and this one was only available through this specific bundle. The PS3 era was peak physical media, when publishers still believed in giving you tangible goodies instead of digital unlock codes. LEGO games from this generation hold a special place on the shelf because they bridged the gap between hardcore collectors and family-friendly fun without ever feeling like a compromise.

The mini strategy guide adds a nice tactile bonus, but it's that figure, sealed and accounted for, that turns a standard PS3 case into something worth tracking down. Complete copies with the figure still present are getting harder to come by as LEGO collectors and game collectors compete for the same shrinking supply.