Race Driver: GRID Reloaded

Platinum Hits releases rarely get collector attention, but this one earned it. The Race Driver GRID Reloaded edition on Xbox 360 took Codemasters' critically acclaimed racer and re-released it under the Platinum Hits banner with a DLC code for the 8-Ball Pack. GRID was one of the most respected racing games of the 360 generation, blending simulation weight with arcade accessibility in a way that very few competitors managed.

The 8-Ball Pack added demolition derby-style content that turned GRID's already impressive damage model into pure vehicular carnage. It was a perfect bonus for a re-release, giving returning players a reason to come back and new players something extra out of the box. Reloaded editions sit in an interesting spot for collectors.

They're not launch copies, and they don't carry the prestige of a numbered limited edition. But they represent a curated version of the game, one that the publisher thought was worth revisiting with added content. For racing game collectors, GRID Reloaded is the more complete package.

The Platinum Hits branding might not thrill purists, but the included DLC code, if unused, transforms this from a budget re-release into the definitive physical version. Finding one with an unredeemed 8-Ball Pack code is the real challenge now, and that challenge is half the fun.