World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Collector's Edition

Blizzard doesn't do collector's editions halfway, and Cataclysm was no exception. The World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Collector's Edition on PC continued the tradition that began with vanilla WoW, delivering a behind-the-scenes DVD, a soundtrack CD, The Art of Cataclysm (a 176-page art book), trading card game starter packs with exclusive cards, a Cataclysm mouse pad, an exclusive in-game pet, and Goblin and Worgen avatars for StarCraft II. The art book is the anchor.

At 176 pages, it documents Blizzard's complete visual overhaul of Azeroth, showing how the team rebuilt classic zones from the ground up after Deathwing's return shattered the world. WoW Collector's Editions have become some of the most tracked items in PC collecting, with each expansion's set marking a distinct chapter in the game's history. Cataclysm represents the moment Blizzard proved they were willing to tear down what they'd built and start over, and the Collector's Edition preserves that ambition in physical form.

The cross-game StarCraft II avatars add a layer of Blizzard ecosystem appeal, and the exclusive in-game pet remains a status symbol in Azeroth years later. Sealed copies command serious attention. Even opened sets in complete condition carry weight.

This is Blizzard collecting at its most essential.