The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 5th Anniversary Edition

Five years after Oblivion changed everything, Bethesda circled back with one more victory lap. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 5th Anniversary Edition for PC bundles the base game with the Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles expansion packs, a Making of Oblivion DVD, and an in-game map of Cyrodiil. The DVD also includes a bonus trailer for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which in 2011 was the most anticipated RPG on the planet.

There's something wonderfully full-circle about an Oblivion repackage that doubles as a Skyrim hype vehicle. The Making of DVD is the real collector's prize here, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the game that dragged open-world RPGs into the HD era and set the template Bethesda's been building on ever since. The map of Cyrodiil is a staple for Elder Scrolls collectors, and having it bundled with this Anniversary Edition makes for a clean display piece.

Oblivion sits at a fascinating point in the franchise timeline, after Morrowind's cult brilliance and before Skyrim's mainstream explosion. This 5th Anniversary Edition captures that middle chapter perfectly. For Elder Scrolls shelf builders, it's a must-have bridge between two eras.