| 1 | %% Image and caption selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1368408519038428100 |
| 2 | %% Please do not change or remove either without starting a new thread |
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| 4 | [[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/SonicColors https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/get-free-sonic-hat-when-you-pre-order-sonic-colours-1049409_1371.png]]]] |
| 5 | [[caption-width-right:350:Wait until the game drops in price... or pre-order at full price and get a nice hat? Decisions...]] |
| 6 | |
| 7 | So you've followed all the press about your favorite video game for months; watching every trailer, reading every interview, playing every demo, until you finally get a release date. You're anticipating this game so much that you head on over to your local TropeCo/TropeCo game store to pre-order, because you ''have'' to be the first person to play this amazing game. But that's not the only reason you pre-order. Only the first shipment of 10,000 units is going to have the super ultra limited edition behind the scenes DVD and bonus cloth overworld map with limited-edition action figures not sold in stores! The game developers just lured you in with a [[TitleDrop pre-order bonus]]. |
| 8 | |
| 9 | This is a limited bonus offered by retail chains or publishers to incite you to pre-order an upcoming game. Is commonly the game's official soundtrack, a free StrategyGuide, "behind the scenes" featurette, a demo of another game, or the usual suspects. Occasionally, there will be different bonuses depending on the retailer; to get them all; there's a healthy trade on [=eBay=] for the codes of such things. |
| 10 | |
| 11 | The really cool ones probably won't reach Europe, or [[RegionalBonus be standard there]]. Though on the other hand, the really ''really'' cool ones will probably [[NoExportForYou never leave Japan]]. |
| 12 | |
| 13 | Many game retailers have different Pre Order Bonuses for the same game, meaning that if you're a completist you have to either buy the game several times or hope that some of it later becomes DLC. |
| 14 | |
| 15 | Pre-orders are also common with music - digital downloads will often come with pre-order exclusive bonus tracks. Occasionally, independent record stores will provide something extra with a pre-order as well. |
| 16 | |
| 17 | In these days where people [[{{UsefulNotes/DigitalDistribution}} buy stuff and receive only a download]], pre-ordering something became kinda irrelevant since there isn't the problem of the product going out of stock, so pretty much all pre-orders have bonuses or discounts so people will still be tempted to buy the game before anyone from the public knows if it's going to be good or not. |
| 18 | |
| 19 | Compare DemoBonus, where playing the game's demo will unlock a bonus in the full game. |
| 20 | |
| 21 | See also LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition. |
| 22 | |
| 23 | ---- |
| 24 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 25 | [[folder:VideoGames]] |
| 26 | |
| 27 | * The North American version of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker]]'' gave a bonus that was a disc that contained an updated Platform/NintendoGameCube port of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'' and a version of the same game previously unreleased in the West that featured harder, alternate dungeons, dubbed "Master Quest." Of course, the European version of ''The Wind Waker'' had this as standard. |
| 28 | ** ''Ocarina of Time'' came with a T-shirt at select store locations. |
| 29 | ** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass]]'' had a limited edition quill pen stylus. To receive the stylus, you had to register ''Phantom Hourglass'' on Nintendo's website within a certain timeframe from the game's release or until the stylus supply was exhausted. |
| 30 | ** In a strange twist of fate, the ''European'' version of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks]]'' has a collector's tin and action figure pre-order bonus, which is [[RegionalBonus not available in either North America or Japan]]. |
| 31 | ** Another great pre-order bonus came when ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwordsAdventures The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures]]'' came out. What did it have? The ''[[CompilationRerelease Collector's Edition]]'', which had ''Ocarina of Time'', ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'', the orignal ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI Legend of Zelda]]'', ''[[VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]'', a 15 minute retrospective of the series, and a demo for ''The Wind Waker''. It was also possible to receive the disc in a [=GameCube=] bundle, through a ''Nintendo Power'' subscription, and registering games and other Nintendo merchandise on Nintendo's website. |
| 32 | ** The 3DS version of ''Ocarina of Time'' had a limited edition soundtrack available if you registered the game within two days of its release. |
| 33 | ** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', as it was released for the ''Zelda'' franchise's [[MilestoneCelebration 25th anniversary]], had bundles including the game, a limited edition gold Wii Remote with the Hylian crest on it, and a symphonic CD of ''Zelda'' music. |
| 34 | * ''VideoGame/KamenRiderSeigiNoKeifu'' had a limited edition [[Series/KamenRider Kamen Rider #1]] metal wristwatch, modeled on the [[TransformationTrinket Typhoon]] [[UtilityBelt belt]]. |
| 35 | * ''VideoGame/{{Manhunt}} 2'' had a very limited doctor costume including bloody scrubs and surgical mask if you pre-ordered it. |
| 36 | * ''VideoGame/Journey2012'' was made available for purchase one week before its official release date. Buying it within this time frame gets you a free dynamic Platform/{{PlayStation 3}} theme; in addition, Playstation Plus subscribers can access the game a week early. |
| 37 | * Many, many DS games offer a custom stylus as a pre-order bonus (''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyJusticeForAll'' and ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaPortraitOfRuin'' are two examples). |
| 38 | * Most ''VideoGame/HarvestMoon'' games offer a plush cow keychain. |
| 39 | ** Now, they, and their [[VideoGame/RuneFactory fantasy counterparts]], come with plushies. Usually, cows or chickens. |
| 40 | ** Continued with its sister series ''VideoGame/HometownStory'', which comes with a dragon plush if you preorder in different colors depending on where (green for [=Gamestop=], red for Amazon, and yellow for Natsume's store). |
| 41 | * ''[[VideoGame/GalaxyAngel Galaxy Angel Eternal Lovers]]'' offered an ExpansionPack for the previous game, ''Galaxy Angel Moonlit Lovers''. |
| 42 | * ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'' pre-orders came with a water-sensitive calligraphy board. |
| 43 | ** Similarly, ''VideoGame/{{Okamiden}}'' pre-orders come with [[http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/23/okamiden-gets-a-september-release-date-and-paintbrush-stylus/ a nice looking screen cleaner and a badass looking calligraphy brush stylus.]] Or a plush Chibiterasu keychain, if you were fast enough to order from Capcom. |
| 44 | * ''[[VideoGame/{{Civilization}} Civilization 4]]'' came with special packaging, a print-out of the tech tree, and the CD soundtrack. |
| 45 | * Online games tend to come with in-game bonuses: |
| 46 | ** ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' preorders got early entrance into the game's beta test. |
| 47 | ** ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' came with a special animation for Sprint for those who preordered the game, while ''VideoGame/CityOfVillains'' gave out special hats. |
| 48 | ** ''City of Heroes: Going Rogue'' gave out early access to it's [[GunsAkimbo Dual Pistols]] and [[TheLegionsOfHell Demon Summoning]] powersets. (Primarily because Kinetic Melee and Electrical Control aren't quite as finished.) |
| 49 | ** The pre-order packages for the various ''VideoGame/GuildWars'' products tend to include infinitely-available in-game weapons for your game account, as well as trial account keys and access to preview event weekends for the product you've just pre-ordered. The quality of some of those weapons is sometimes worth the pre-order alone. |
| 50 | ** ''VideoGame/TabulaRasa'' gave those who pre-ordered the game access to beta, a 3-day headstart and two purely decorative pets. Also, it had an event that gave out several bonuses of its own during that headstart, effectively making them a limited preorder bonus. |
| 51 | * ''VideoGame/DewysAdventure'' and ''VideoGame/{{Elebits}}'' both came with limited edition stuffed toys of the main characters. |
| 52 | * Pre-orders of ''The Orange Box'' from {{Platform/Steam}} came with a puzzle game called Peggle Extreme (effectively an Orange Box themed demo for Peggle Deluxe) and the ability to play ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' immediately. |
| 53 | ** ''Team Fortress 2'' itself loves to CrossOver with other games by way of this trope - three times out of five, any given new release on {{Platform/Steam}} will award players who pre-order it by letting them use weapons or wear hats taken from that game in [=TF2=].[[note]]There is at least one exception to this, though. Pre-ordering ''{{VideoGame/Disgaea|HourOfDarkness}} PC'' was originally supposed to grant you three items, but since these were only added to [=TF2=] [[https://www.teamfortress.com/meetyourmatch/war.php#day2_bg_08 during the Meet Your Match update]] ''after'' the game was released, the game now gives you these items in Genuine quality after purchasing ''Disgaea PC'', regardless of if you pre-ordered it or not. These are also some of the few pre-order items that can be directly purchased in the Mann Co. Store in Unique quality. Of note is also the [[https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Dadliest_Catch Dadliest Catch]], granted to players who purchase ''{{VideoGame/Octodad}}'' (pre-order or not), notable because it's also Halloween restricted.[[/note]] |
| 54 | *** Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/TotalWarRomeII'' on {{Platform/Steam}} gave you the usual nice hats, however, it also added a "[[http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=11304 Romevision]]" mode for Mann vs. Machine--having the Hardy Laurel equipped (or playing with a player who has it equipped) reskins the robots, the Sentry Buster, the tank and the Carrier Tank to resemble ancient Roman society. As an interesting note, the robots' reskins are just regular items, as they had been available on the Mann Co. Catalog for a while. |
| 55 | ** This seems to be extending to other Valve games now: pre-ordering ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyType0 HD'' will give you content for ''VideoGame/Dota2'', including the franchise's iconic Chocobo. |
| 56 | * Pre-ordered copies of ''VideoGame/LostOdyssey'' include an additional [[VisualNovel dream]] and an otherwise unobtainable accessory that teaches a GameBreaker skill, leading some to claim that only those people who preorder will get 'the full game'. In fact, the content in question is available as free [[DownloadableContent DLC]] on the Japanese marketplace, allowing all players to get the pre-order bonus if they create a Japanese XBLA account. |
| 57 | * ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' |
| 58 | ** Preordering ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII'' would give you a DLC which provided an early access to several weapons. Prior to the game's release, fans speculated the weapons were exclusively for those who preordered the game. As it turned out, the weapons are available late-game as they are sold by Chancellor Wellager in Drangleic Castle. Players who preordered the game can obtain them right from the beginning for each character and they can purchase duplicates of the weapons and [[DualWielding dual wield]] them without having to enter NewGamePlus. |
| 59 | ** Preordering ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII'' would give you an exclusive dynamic theme, a handkerchief with the map of Lothric printed on it, and a digital soundtrack. |
| 60 | * Preordering ''[[VideoGame/SoulSeries Soul Calibur V]]'' provided an early access to Dampierre (of ''Broken Destiny'' fame), who's later on available as Xbox 360 DLC. For [=PS3=] otherwise, preordering is the ''only'' way to get him. |
| 61 | * ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'': |
| 62 | ** Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'' would get you a free ''Sunshine'' themed beach towel, but only from certain stores like Toys-R-Us. |
| 63 | ** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' came with a commemorative coin. And a prerecorded message from Charles Martinet as Mario calling you the day before release to remind you about it. They even offered the ability to listen to it again. |
| 64 | ** ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DLand'' came with a Tanooki Mario keychain if pre-ordered from Gamestop. Meanwhile, ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' came with cat ear headbands (with randomized colors, corresponding to one of the playable characters). |
| 65 | ** ''VideoGame/MarioKartDoubleDash'' was launched with a bonus disc including demos for ''VideoGame/MarioParty5'', ''VideoGame/FZeroGX'', ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'' (causing a little bit of PreviewPiggybacking), ''Star Wars VideoGame/RogueSquadron III: Rebel Strike'' and the first ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' game of [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 the 2003 TV series]], as well as bonus material for ''VideoGame/{{Fire Emblem|TheBlazingBlade}}''. |
| 66 | ** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' came with a Cappy pin. In some countries (such as Italy), the Gamestop preorder also allowed to buy a Cappy replica at a lower price than the regular one. |
| 67 | * ''VideoGame/DiddyKongRacing'' had a Diddy plushie, but these were later sold individually. |
| 68 | * ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns'' came with a banana-shaped Wii Remote holder if pre-ordered from Gamestop. |
| 69 | * ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'': |
| 70 | ** ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime2Echoes'' gave away 'Samus Aran, Bounty Hunter' T-shirts. |
| 71 | ** ''VideoGame/MetroidOtherM'' had an art folio. |
| 72 | * ''VideoGame/TraumaCenter: New Blood'' came with a paper and a syringe pen. |
| 73 | * Buyers that preordered the American version of ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum'' for the Platform/NintendoGameCube also received a bonus disk that allowed them to download a Jirachi, a Legendary Pokémon. Japanese players also got a bonus disc, but theirs contained Celebi and a special Pikachu instead. |
| 74 | * Amazon.com has been getting into this for the past couple of years. People who paid a little more got a load of extra stuff for ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV'' (which included stuff like a Lockbox, Dufflebag, and Audio CD). Also, those who wished to pre-order ''VideoGame/RaidouKuzunohaVsTheSoullessArmy'' got a Plushie of the main character (Raidou Kuzunoha) and other bonus stuff. |
| 75 | ** Pre-orders for ''VideoGame/Persona3'' at Amazon included an artbook. For ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'', Amazon pre-orders recieved an art book and a Teddie plushie. ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' has a Steelbook case in the US, and various pieces of DownloadableContent ContinuityNod equipment in Japan. |
| 76 | ** Oddly enough, they have even offered store credit as a preorder bonus... |
| 77 | * ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' DS, for some locales, gave out a CD with the main theme and a melody of some music in the game. |
| 78 | * ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon]]'' came with an animation cel if you preordered it from Gamestop. |
| 79 | * Gamestop is absolutely abusing this lately, to the point where there's an in-game bonus for '''''NHL 10''''' if you preorder it there. It's getting to the point of absurdity. |
| 80 | ** And a challenge map for ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum''. They gave it a semi-catchy tune that we all know!! |
| 81 | ** They like providing either extra bonus levels or extra characters. It got messy with the Juggernaut in ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance 2'', in large part due to advertising that you'd get the DLC code on purchase, and then instead switching it over to directing people to a website that would give them the code. The issue with this was that the website did not require proof of purchase to get the code, and it gave out a limited number of codes so that many people who had not pre-ordered the game (or had pre-ordered it from a different retailer) got Juggernaut while many other people who had pre-ordered from Gamestop didn't get the game. |
| 82 | ** ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank: [[VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime A Crack in Time]]'' gives extremely early access to the [[DevelopersRoom Insomniac Museum]] as one of the four bonuses. Otherwise, you'll have to find every Zoni and then defeat the OptionalBoss to enter it. |
| 83 | ** ''VideoGame/InFamous'' was particularly annoying because preordering got you an ''exclusive power'', and there were only like 10 in the game otherwise. It eventually became free DLC, but not until 6 months after the game's release. |
| 84 | *** In Italy, ''VideoGame/InfamousSecondSon'' came with a pack of glow-in-the-dark condoms and two cans of Red Bull. We kid you not. |
| 85 | ** ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'' has a character skin with the appearance of Gray Fox from ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' along with his sword as a bonus weapon. |
| 86 | *** Now if you get an artbook of Shinkawa's art as well. |
| 87 | * ''VideoGame/{{Scribblenauts}}'' comes with the main character's nice hat, and ''Super Scribblenauts'' came with a pair of headphones with three randomly selected colors[[note]]This was to highlight the new adjective system in the game proper.[[/note]]- black, polka-dotted, or camouflage. |
| 88 | * ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' does this often. |
| 89 | ** Preorders of ''VideoGame/Halo3ODST'' came with a code to play as [[SergeantRock Sgt. Johnson]] in the Firefight game mode. |
| 90 | ** ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved: Anniversary'' gave players who preordered access to the Grunt Funeral Skull, which caused the weakest mooks in the game to explode upon death. |
| 91 | * UK retail chain GAME does this often. |
| 92 | * ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' |
| 93 | ** In the US, ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' game with an artbook and (for some people) a wall scroll. |
| 94 | ** ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia'' had an artbook for preordering, as well. |
| 95 | ** The PC version of ''VideoGame/TalesOfZestiria'' had an event where more bonuses would be unlocked when enough people pre-ordered the game. Most of them were just accessories and alternate costumes based on protagonists from past games in the series (and ''VideoGame/GodEater2''), but the final milestone (which was reached) would give everyone who pre-ordered a free copy of the then-upcoming PC port of ''Tales of Symphonia'' once it came out. |
| 96 | * ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilTheDarksideChronicles'' came with a T-shirt that had a zombie face printed on the ''inside''. That way you can pull front of the shirt over your head and, as ''Magazine/NintendoPower'' says, "munch on tasty brains and/or do the '[[Music/MichaelJackson Thriller]]' dance!" |
| 97 | * ''VideoGame/BrutalLegend'' gives players the chance to use The Love Giver guitar, made famous by Creator/JackBlack and his band Music/TenaciousD. |
| 98 | * Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/NarutoShippudenUltimateNinjaStorm4'' would get you a free golden Naruto action figure. |
| 99 | * ''VideoGame/Left4Dead2'' preorders came with an exclusive baseball bat weapon, plus those who preordered it specifically on {{Platform/Steam}} gained Bill's hat for all classes in ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2''. This [[GameBreaker unbalanced the game a bit]], since if anyone on the team had preordered, the entire team could gain melee weapons where there otherwise would be none. Since the release of ''The Passing'' DLC, however, the bat is available to all players and spawns the same as every other melee weapon in the game. |
| 100 | * ''{{Franchise/Pokemon}}'': |
| 101 | ** Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonExplorers of Sky'' at Gamestop would net you a bonus DVD that contained the final part of the anime based on ''Explorers of Time and Darkness''. |
| 102 | ** If you pre-ordered ''[[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl Platinum]]'', you got a free 6" Giratina figure. ''[=HeartGold=]'' and ''[=SoulSilver=]'' also had the pre-order bonus of either a free 6" Ho-Oh or Lugia figure or both if you pre-ordered both. |
| 103 | *** In Japan and Italy, if you pre-ordered them both, you'd also get an Arceus figure. Whilst game shops in the US and UK didn't do this, a special Trading Card Game set was released stateside that contained the Arceus figure. |
| 104 | ** Pre-ordering ''Diamond or Pearl'' got you a stylus with a Dialga or Palkia topper respectively. They're actually quite durable and easy to hold. |
| 105 | ** ''VideoGame/PokemonRumble U'' gave out Black Kyurem and White Kyurem figures to those who pre ordered the game, though one is randomly selected. And they are both a DiscOneNuke. |
| 106 | ** ''VideoGame/PokemonScarletAndViolet'' pre-orders from Amazon include... ten potions, ten antidotes and three revives. You can literally just defeat two or three trainers on the first route to get enough Pokédollars to buy all of these items. By comparison, Japanese pre-orders come with an artbook and a unique TCG card, which would genuinely be desirable items for collectors. |
| 107 | * The preorder bonus for ''VideoGame/LuminousArc2'' have the game comes in a very pretty, shiny box, along with a soundtrack and artbook. |
| 108 | * ''[[VideoGame/LunarTheSilverStar Lunar: The Silver Star Story Complete]]'' came with a punching doll of Ghaleon, one of the major characters. The PC release of the game was supposed to come with the Alex doll to go with it, but the game was never released, and Creator/WorkingDesigns went bankrupt soon afterwards. |
| 109 | * ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'' was pretty bad about this. There was only 1 bonus costume on the disk, several others that were preorder bonuses, from ''different places'', and another one obtained through a code bundled with the {{interquel}} ''Ghost of Sparta'' much later in the year. Unless a bunch of friends give you their codes, you would have to spend several hundred dollars on preorders to get all the costumes available. |
| 110 | * ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'': |
| 111 | ** Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' nets you free stick-on decals for your PSP (one for dark models and one for light models). |
| 112 | ** Likewise, preordering ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance'' gets you a set of AR cards that will unlock special Dream Eaters for your game. |
| 113 | ** Preordering ''Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD [=ReMix=]'' would get you a variation of the usual box case, which included a book containing illustrations from ''Kingdom Hearts''. |
| 114 | * Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/RockBand 3'' worked this way for multiple retailers: with Amazon, you got an exclusive in-game guitar, with UsefulNotes/{{Walmart}} you got $10 off on your next purchase and with Gamestop you got three songs for free that didn't become available for weeks otherwise ("Burning Down the House" by Music/TalkingHeads, "Shove It" by Music/{{Deftones}}, and "Blue Monday" by Music/NewOrder). |
| 115 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie: Nuts & Bolts'' for the Xbox 360 gave you a code that allowed you download the original ''Banjo-Kazooie'' for free, 2 weeks before it was released to the general public. |
| 116 | * In the UK, if you pre-ordered ''VideoGame/DeadRising2'' from GAME stores/online at their website, you could get the exclusive 'Outbreak Edition' that included the game, a making of DVD and a special edition figure with interchangable parts. You could also preorder the 'Zombrex Edition' that came with the DVD and a Zombrex injector pen that was packaged in a steelbook case, but this edition was sold alongside the normal edition in stores like HMV. |
| 117 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/PokerNightAtTheInventory'' gives you a visor for the Heavy to wear in [[VideoGame/TeamFortress2 his native game]], as well as a price tag that was reduced by 10%. |
| 118 | * Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/{{Worms}} Reloaded'' gave the user access to extra forts, team hats and early access to the game on top of the reduced price. |
| 119 | * Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/TransformersWarForCybertron'' at Gamestop gave early and free access to Shockwave in Escalation and use of his chassis in multiplayer. Doing the same elsewhere gave you similar rewards for [[Anime/TransformersArmada Demolisher]] and Jazz. |
| 120 | * ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' had a [[http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Downloadable_Content#Exclusive whole lot]] of vendor-exclusive pre-order bonuses in the forms of various pieces of equipment. If you bought the PC version, a lot of these could be manually installed using special lines of code. If you bought the console version, you were SOL. |
| 121 | ** Pre-orders of ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' before January 11 2011 were upgraded to the "[=BioWare=] Signature Edition," which included DLC codes for the Black Emporium, the Exiled Prince, the game's soundtrack, and five exclusive items. [=BioWare=] also got players to play the demo and follow them on Facebook by promising more items for it. |
| 122 | * ''VideoGame/Persona3 Portable'' had Junpei's hat. |
| 123 | * ''VideoGame/Portal2'' had a reduced price and a free copy of the original Portal (which can be gifted if the buyer already owns Portal) when preordered on {{Platform/Steam}}. |
| 124 | ** [=GameStop=] pre-orders gave exclusive skins to the co-op robots. |
| 125 | * ''[[VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy Dissidia Duodecim 012: Final Fantasy]]'' offered an alternate outfit for [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Tifa]] for Western gamers who pre-ordered the game with [=GameStop=], along with a ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' skin for either [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud]] (if you lived in the States) or [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII Squall]] (if you lived in Europe). |
| 126 | * Pre-orders of the expansions for ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' all come with the following for the game: a minion, an earring that grants a 30% XP boost up to the expansion's level cap minus 10 with scaling item level, and early access to the expansion content a few days before release. |
| 127 | * ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'': If you want ''all'' of the pre-order bonuses (there's 16 of them), you'll need to pre-order several copies of the game--directly from Square Enix, from Amazon, from the PSN and Xbox stores, and even from [=GameStop=]. Tough luck if you only have one console, or even if you live outside of America. |
| 128 | ** Then again, the only pre-order bonus exclusive for the Xbox version consists of items for your Avatar, so it makes sense. |
| 129 | ** The PC version of FFXV comes with [[http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/02/01/final-fantasy-xv-windows-edition-preorder-bonuses-detailed-benchmark-tool-released its own set of pre-orders]], and in order to get them all you need to buy the game three times: from Steam, from Origin, and from the Microsoft Store. Tough luck if you're not running Windows 10. |
| 130 | * All preorders of ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy'' got a [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Sephiroth]] Champion summon, along with special variations of three other monsters (Tonberry, Moggle, and Chocobo to be specific). These are also included with the Limited Edition, regardless of whether or not you preordered it. |
| 131 | * ''VideoGame/SeriousSam [[VideoGameRemake HD]]: The Second Encounter'' gave those who preordered an extra player model for multiplayer modes: a Sam-sized version of ''The First Encounter'''s FinalBoss Ugh-Zan III. The "Super 8" DLC includes that model alongside 7 new ones. |
| 132 | * ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'' has the bonus (aside from the nigh-standard "Free month of game time") be early access to the game - which will carry over once it's officially released. |
| 133 | * ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'': |
| 134 | ** ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' came with a hat that looked like Sonic's quills. |
| 135 | *** Pre-orders in the UK came with action figures of Sonic and some wisps, with different wisps being exclusive to the version pre-ordered. Not everyone got the figures, though, since they ran out of supply. |
| 136 | *** The ''Ultimate'' port came with a keychain of Baby Sonic from ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020''. |
| 137 | ** ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' had several themes on the [=PS3=], plus a pinball minigame based on [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 Casino Night Zone.]] |
| 138 | ** ''VideoGame/SonicLostWorld'' had several from different retailers, usually small things like an Omochao RC gadget for use in multiplayer, but the most infamous is Amazon's: a code for 25 extra lives... and that's it. |
| 139 | ** ''VideoGame/SonicBoom: Rise of Lyric'' had two: glowing TRON-like outfits for the player characters if pre-ordered from Amazon, and a figure of Sonic with the Ancients' Crystal if pre-ordered from [=GameStop=]. |
| 140 | ** ''Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice'' came with a DVD sampler, featuring three episodes from [[WesternAnimation/SonicBoom the cartoon]]; "Chili Dog Day Afternoon", "It Wasn't Me, It Was the One-Armed Hedgehog", and "[[Recap/SonicBoomS1E52ItTakesAVillageToDefeatAHedgehog It Takes a Village to Defeat a Hedgehog]]". |
| 141 | ** ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' comes with a controller skin, as well as several items for the [[CharacterCustomization Avatar]] based on other Creator/{{Sega}} franchises, including ''VideoGame/JetSetRadio'', ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'', ''VideoGame/NightsIntoDreams'', ''VideoGame/SuperMonkeyBall'', and ''VideoGame/Persona5''. |
| 142 | ** ''VideoGame/SonicFrontiers'' had a major tie-in with ''WebAnimation/{{hololive}}'''s Inugami Korone, whom they declared an "official Sonic ambassador". The preorder had a number of effects in game, such as replacing many sound effects with Korone's vocal noises, changing the Kocos to her fan mascot Listener-san, and giving Sonic a pair of Korone-themed shoes. |
| 143 | * ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'' had two different pre-order packs, both of which became DownloadableContent shortly after the game's release. |
| 144 | * ''VideoGame/DeusExMankindDivided'' was initially announced with an extremely contentious "Augment Your Pre-Order" bonus scheme, with tiers of bonus content that would be unlocked as the game hit certain pre-sale milestones. After the plan received an extremely hostile reception from fans, it was quickly scrapped, and all bonus content became available to anyone who pre-ordered regardless of sales numbers. |
| 145 | * ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' had four different pre-order packs, depending on where you pre-ordered it. The week after the last major DLC (Lonesome Road) was released, all four packs were compiled into the [[http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Courier%27s_Stash Courier's Stash]]. |
| 146 | ** ''New Vegas'' might count as an unintentional subversion. Due to the game's rushed state on release, most of the Pre-Order items were poorly programmed and had a number of problems (for example, the weapons were almost entirely left off the lists for Perks, meaning that Demolition Expert increases the damage of all Explosives weapons ''except'' the pre-order Grenade Rifle). Since there was so much other stuff that needed fixing, these items never got patched, making them more of a pre-order load - fortunately, they're still worth quite a bit to vendors. |
| 147 | * ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankAll4One'' offered early weapon unlocks, depending on where the game was pre-ordered from. |
| 148 | * ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus'' offered the Volcanox armor, which only gave 5% damage reduction (which equated to just 1 point of damage) and after the first stage, and was basically useless as the first armor you can buy after the prologue is worth 20% damage reduction. |
| 149 | * Japanese players who pre-ordered ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'' got a [=GameCube=] port of ''VideoGame/TheTowerOfDruaga''. |
| 150 | * The Atari ''Franchise/StarWars'' arcade game was the main advertising point for preordering ''VideoGame/RogueSquadron 3: Rebel Strike'' in advance. The game was included, already unlocked, on the preorder exclusive bonus disc. Although its inclusion within ''Rebel Strike'' itself, even if you have to go through a little extra effort to unlock it, seems to make the bonus disc thing moot outside the hobby of collecting video games. |
| 151 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/ModernWarfare 3'', at least on {{Platform/Steam}}, netted players a free copy of ''Call of Duty 4'' along with it. |
| 152 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/ForzaMotorsport 4'' would give you the [[CoolCar Mazda RX-7 Spirit-R]] ([[UniqueItems A "unicorn" car]], which cannot be acquired through normal means) for use in ''Forza 3''. You could then import the car into ''Forza 4''. Multiple retailers had their own preorder cars, like the Honda CR-Z from the online Microsoft Store, a BMW 1M from Best Buy, 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX [=STi=] from Amazon, Alfa Romeo Giulietta from [=GameStop=], and the Mini JCW Clubman from Wal-Mart. The preorder store cars can all be unlocked for 560 MS points, but the RX-7 remains exclusive to people who preordered, or players who win official contests. |
| 153 | ** Preordering ''VideoGame/ForzaHorizon'' at [=GameStop=] resulted in a special code which allowed you to download a special Forza Horizon edition 2013 Dodge Challenger. |
| 154 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' from Gamestop gets you an official artbook that explains a few more details of the game's story as well as a ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' comic. |
| 155 | * Preordering ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' game gave you different bonuses depending on where you ordered it from. Preordering from Amazon USA (or GAME stores in the UK) gave you the Stan Lee Adventure Pack, pre-ordering from [=GameStop=] (or Amazon UK) gave you the Rhino Challenge. Other stores had the Oscorp Search and Destroy pack. |
| 156 | * Lots of games funded trough Kickstarter have this. More you pay, more goodies you get ranging from extra copies of the game to "backers only" stuff. |
| 157 | * ''X-Com'' has taken a page from Kickstarter and runs three tiered pre-order bonuses, depending how many people pre-order the game. Tier 1 (achieved) includes new outlooks for soldiers other aesthetic stuff. Tier 2 (also achieved) has VideoGame/TeamFortress2 hats. Tier 3, if reached, means that everyone who pre-orders the game gets Civ 5 for free. |
| 158 | * To make up for the ridiculously limited number of ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' Collector's Editions that were available to Australians, EB Games had a free Special Edition upgrade on all pre-orders, which came with a steelbook case, art cards, and faux-leather notebook. |
| 159 | * ''VideoGame/{{Dishonored}}'' had a full 78-card tarot deck as its bonus, with card artwork based on the game's characters and setting, plus instructions for a card game for 2-6 players using the deck. |
| 160 | ** In a more conventional use of this Trope, pre-ordering the game from various outlets got you various extra powers to use in-game. On May 3, 2013, Arkane announced a complication pack that would contain these bonuses that will come out on May 14. |
| 161 | * The slash000 [[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/664/slash000-is-a-patient--patient-man edition]] of ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever'' may be the most extreme case of this. |
| 162 | * Three words: ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni''. Preordering from a retailer like Gamestop landed players a collectable tin. Preordering from Namco's website, allowed players to order a Wizard's Edition which came with a plush of Drippy, DLC familiars and '''the Wizard's Companion Book in English'''[[note]]For context, this is a massive, 340-page book [[{{Feelies}} whose contents are required to play the (unlocalized) DS version of the game]][[/note]]! Oh, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking the instruction manual was in color too.]] |
| 163 | * All pre-orders of ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia'' were automatically upgraded to a limited edition, which included an art book, soundtrack, and in-game costumes along with the game. |
| 164 | * ''VideoGame/Payday2'' has ''two'' different types of pre order bonuses on the PC version. Pre ordering the standard edition of the game got you the PAYDAY Loot Bag, which contains a scope for rifle weapons, a unique mask, two templates to use on modifying your masks, and some in game money. The "Career Criminal" edition got you the loot bag plus even more bonuses, such as two beta passes to use for yourself and a friend to get access to the game's beta, the soundtrack to the game, in game discounts on all items, a guide to the game written by your VoiceWithAnInternetConnection, and printable blueprints for every heist in the game. No matter what version you pre ordered, you were bound to get a good deal out of it. |
| 165 | * ''VideoGame/PAYDAY3'': All versions of the game had a set of cosmetics[[note]]being the Venomous Verdigris Mask, Cotton Stripes Gloves and Obsidian Glitz Suit[[/note]]. Pre-ordering the Silver or Gold digital versions also let you begin playing three days early. |
| 166 | * ''VideoGame/EpicMickey'' came with a figurine of Mickey (with removable paintbrush), decals for the Wii and Wii Remote, and a behind-the-scenes DVD of the game, which also included several original cartoon shorts. Sadly, the "Clock Cleaners" cartoon is the censored version. |
| 167 | * ''VideoGame/PlanetSide 2'' (a free-to-play game) could be "preordered" for $40 with the "Alpha Squad" package, which gave immediate access to the game's closed beta (instead of random chance for an invite like other players), [[{{Microtransactions}} $40 worth of Station Cash]], 4 weapons immediately unlocked per faction, [[HighlyConspicuousUniform exclusive camouflage, decals, and a title]], and 6 months of +10% XP. The package was sold until the weekend before the game launched. |
| 168 | * ''VideoGame/GhostRecon: Future Soldier'' had different permutations of the same preorder bonuses depending on where you got it from - some gave you AK-47 and Mk 14 assault rifles, some gave you M40 and Mosin-Nagant sniper rifles, and some gave you all four. |
| 169 | * For the Western releases of ''VideoGame/JoJosBizarreAdventureAllStarBattle'', in the US, pre-ordering the game would get you one of two DLC character early. Pre-ordering from Amazon would get you Shigekiyo "Shigechi" Yangu while pre-ordering from Club Namco directly would get you Yoshikage Kira's original self. If you lived in the EU though, pre-ordering the game would get you ''both'' of them. |
| 170 | * Pre-orders of ''VideoGame/SunsetOverdrive'' got you some bonus weapons and an extra costume in-game. |
| 171 | * Before its replacement, Club Nintendo would occasionally have a list of upcoming games. If you clicked on them before the games were released, when you register them on your Club Nintendo account, you will get bonus credits. Club Nintendo offered for those who buy both versions of ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'' a soundtrack CD and the DLC character Mewtwo. |
| 172 | ** Additionally, those who Pre-Ordered ''VideoGame/MarioKart8'' and registered it with Club Nintendo would allow you to get a free downloadable copy of either ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosU'', ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker HD'', ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}} 3'', or ''VideoGame/WiiParty U''. Predictably, while this was going, it was near impossible to load Club Nintendo's site outside of the early mornings and late at nights with how many people were trying desperately to get their free game mid-day. |
| 173 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/Splatoon1'' from [=GameStop=] would give you costumes for your Mii Fighters from ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' resembling Splatoon characters (an Inkling Wig and an Inkling Squid Hat for all three kinds, and an Inkling Outfit for Gunners), which wouldn't be available for the general public until June 14. |
| 174 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/MightyNo9'' gives you access to the Retro Hero DLC, which lets you "play as a retro-inspired version of Beck, complete with classic sound effects[[note]]retro music is available from the get-go, whether you pre-order or not[[/note]] and direct access to a challenging insta-death mode." The RAY Expansion DLC was also included as an extra bonus. |
| 175 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/YaibaNinjaGaidenZ'' gave players a few exclusive skins, such as a camouflage outfit, a Nuigulumar costume, and a mascot costume of Beck from ''Mighty No. 9''. |
| 176 | * Preordering the Platform/XboxOne version of ''{{VideoGame/Fallout 4}}'' would give you a copy of the [[{{VideoGame/Fallout3}} previous title]] for the Platform/{{Xbox 360}}[[note]]Keep in mind the Xbox One is backwards compatible with the 360[[/note]], while preordering the Platform/PlayStation4 version from Best Buy would give you, along with the Season Pass, a pair of socks adorned with the Vault Boy. |
| 177 | * Pre-ordering Valve's {{Platform/Steam}} Controller and/or Steam Link hardware would give you a copy of ''VideoGame/RocketLeague'', along with Valve's own ''{{VideoGame/Portal 2}}'' (if you already own any of these games, you gain an extra copy to gift to a friend). |
| 178 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'' from Best Buy will give you $10 to buy pizza. [[https://corporate.bestbuy.com/get-xenoblade-chronicles-x-at-best-buy-score-10-in-epizza-cash/ No, seriously.]] |
| 179 | * All three of the ''VisualNovel/ZeroEscape'' games have a preorder bonus of that game's watch. |
| 180 | * ''VideoGame/JustCause3'' has 3 weaponized cars as well as a tourist's guide for Medici ([[BoringButPractical which is much more practical than you'd expect]] - it shows where every base and town is so it's easier to find and liberate each). |
| 181 | * Preordering ''{{VideoGame/Disgaea|HourOfDarkness}} PC'' gives you the "Digital Deluxe Dood Edition", which includes the soundtrack and an artbook. |
| 182 | * Preordering ''Videogame/SouthParkTheFracturedButWhole'' will give you Towelie as a "gaming bud" (IE, he occasionally shows up to act as an ExpositionFairy), along with a free copy of ''Videogame/SouthParkTheStickOfTruth''. |
| 183 | * Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/Injustice2'' will give you ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} as one of the playable characters. |
| 184 | * ''VideoGame/RAIDWorldWarII'' had a 10% price cut for preordering, combined with further cuts for owners of ''VideoGame/PAYDAY2'', 5% off the regular edition and 15% off the Special Edition. Preordering also gave an "Army Crate" with several goodies, including a [[BlingBlingBang golden skin]] for one of the in-game weapons, and preordering the Special Edition also included the Ultimate Edition of ''PAYDAY 2'' for free. |
| 185 | * Preordering ''VideoGame/LEGOTheIncredibles'' from [=GameStop=] would give you a LEGO minifigure of Edna Mode. |
| 186 | * Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/PowerRangersBattleForTheGrid'' got you a digital art book and an exclusive alternate skin for the Green Ranger. |
| 187 | * Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'' for the original Xbox got you [[https://twitter.com/jonahfalcon/status/741330508647436288 a deck of playing cards]]. |
| 188 | * Pre-ordering a physical copy of the ''VisualNovel/DokiDokiLiteratureClub'' UpdatedRerelease, ''Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!'', provided access to {{feelies}} such as a sticker sheet, standees of the characters, a club membership card, and a special poem from Monika. |
| 189 | * Pre-ordering ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars30'' gave players access to a bunch of bonuses, including extra missions, extra items, extra money and access to two heroes - Masaki Ando and the Cybaster and the SRX team and the SRX. |
| 190 | * ''VideoGame/Destiny2'' provides special emblems and cosmetic items for pre-ordering expansions. Additionally, the base game, ''Shadowkeep'', ''Lightfall'', and ''The Final Shape'' all provide instant access to exotic weapons if pre-ordered.[[note]]These are, respectively, Coldheart, Two Tailed Fox, Quicksilver Storm, and Tessellation[[/note]] |
| 191 | [[/folder]] |
| 192 | ---- |
| 193 | !!Non-video game examples: |
| 194 | [[folder:Anime]] |
| 195 | * It’s common in Japan for manga publishers to give out bonuses for people who preorder new volumes of a manga in certain stores. |
| 196 | * Occasionally, anime licensors also give out bonuses for that preorder the [=DVDs=]. For example, ''Manga/EmmaAVictorianRomance'' included everyone who preordered the first boxset of the anime by a certain date in the credits (since they were able to use the money they made on preorders to actually help fund the release). |
| 197 | [[/folder]] |
| 198 | |
| 199 | [[folder:Music]] |
| 200 | * Pre-order bonus tracks have been common since the advent of digital downloading. They are often kept exclusive to the pre-order, and not reissued after the album has been released. Examples include: |
| 201 | ** Music/{{Megadeth}}'s "Black Swan" for those who pre-ordered United Abominations from iTunes. The song was however, rerecorded for Thirteen. |
| 202 | ** Music/ThePretenders' "977 (New Version)" for those who pre-ordered "Break Up The Concrete" from iTunes. |
| 203 | ** ''[[Music/{{Scooter}} Scooter's]]'' "Firth Of Clyde" for those who pre-ordered "The Ultimate Aural Orgasm" from iTunes Germany. |
| 204 | ** Music/FuneralForAFriend's "Wrench (Demo)" for those who pre-ordered "The Young And Defenceless" from their PledgeMusic account (which was set up to finance the recording of the EP). |
| 205 | ** Music/FuneralForAFriend's "Red Is The New Black (Acoustic)" for those who pre-ordered the vinyl reissue of "Between Order And Model" from their website. |
| 206 | [[/folder]] |
| 207 | |
| 208 | [[folder:Pinball]] |
| 209 | * ''Pinball/TheBigLebowski'' had a variant - early purchasers received a small, ''Lebowski''-themed rug (complete with bowling references) that can be placed under the game. |
| 210 | * ''Pinball/RickAndMorty'' also had a variant, in that the bonus was added after the fact as a show of appreciation for the game completely selling out within a day. In this case, Creator/SpookyPinball gave every purchaser a free topper featuring the title characters and a rotating, flashing portal. |
| 211 | [[/folder]] |
| 212 | |
| 213 | [[folder:Tabletop Games]] |
| 214 | * For a little while in the early Aughts, Creator/WizardsOfTheCoast was getting into this action. For example, ''TabletopGame/D20Modern'' came with a cloth patch of the symbol of the in-game faction The Knights of the Silver Dragon, and the ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' 3rd Edition Epic Level Handbook came with a plastic replica of ''Olidammara's Dice''. |
| 215 | * In the spirit of the trope, UsefulNotes/{{Kickstarter}} campaigns usually offer exclusive extras to backers that will never be available at retail. For example, ''TabletopGame/TheOthers2015'' had two products (the stretch goal collection "Omega Team" and the "Men of FAITH") and two extra heroes for backers who went in for the Apocalypse expansion. |
| 216 | [[/folder]] |
| 217 | |
| 218 | [[folder:Webcomics]] |
| 219 | * Parodied by ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/5/30 here]], where Gabe pre-orders ''My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr'' (an actual DS game) and receives a carton of cigarettes as a bonus. |
| 220 | [[/folder]] |
| 221 | |
| 222 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 223 | * In 2003, people who pre-ordered the second season of ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' from Best Buy received an extra disc containing the unaired pilot episode. |
| 224 | [[/folder]] |
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