If you’re a long-time Kojima Productions fan, you probably remember how fast the first Death Stranding collector’s edition sold out back in 2019. I still regret skipping that preorder, and I ended up paying three times the retail price for a used, opened copy six months later. That’s why I put together this full breakdown of everything we know so far about the Death Stranding 2 collector’s edition lineup, so you don’t make the same mistake I did. We’ll cover confirmed inclusions, price ranges, scam risks, and exactly who should splurge on the premium tiers versus stick to the standard game.
What Comes Standard in Every Death Stranding 2 Collector’s Edition Tier
Kojima Productions has only shared partial details about the collector’s lineup as of now, but we can cross-reference their past release patterns and confirmed teaser drops to get a clear picture of what to expect. They’ve already confirmed three separate collector’s tiers, each with increasing levels of exclusive physical and digital content. Unlike many other AAA game publishers, Kojima rarely cuts corners on their collector’s edition items, so you can expect high-quality, durable merchandise rather than cheap plastic trinkets.
All confirmed collector’s tiers will include a physical copy of the game for your chosen platform, either on disc for PlayStation 5 or cartridge for the rumored portable release. Every tier also comes with a digital copy of the official art book, which includes concept art, behind-the-scenes sketches, and commentary from Hideo Kojima and the development team. You’ll also get a download code for the full original soundtrack, composed by Ludvig Forssell, who worked on the first game’s award-winning score.
The highest priced flagship tier will include a life-sized replica of the new BB pod featured in the game’s trailers, with working LED lights and a display stand. Early teasers also show that this tier will include a limited-edition steelbook case with exclusive art, and a set of physical postcards featuring character art and in-game location shots. Digital bonuses for all tiers include exclusive in-game cosmetics for Sam, new backpack customization items, and a small side mission that won’t be available for standard edition players for the first six months post-launch.
How to Spot Legitimate Death Stranding 2 Collector’s Edition Listings
As soon as preorders go live, you’ll see hundreds of third-party listings pop up on auction sites and peer-to-peer marketplaces, many of which are either overpriced or straight up scams. I’ve seen this happen with every major Kojima release, so it’s important to know what to look for to avoid wasting your money. The first rule is to only buy directly from official retailer partners, which will be listed on the official Kojima Productions and PlayStation websites once preorders open.
Never purchase a collector’s edition listing that lacks official preorder confirmation from the publisher. If a listing says “waiting for stock” or “will ship when available” without showing a formal preorder confirmation email screenshot, it’s almost always a scam. Many scammers will list copies at 2x the retail price weeks before preorders even go live, taking advantage of fans who are worried about missing out. You should also avoid any listing that claims to have “early access” copies or exclusive items that haven’t been officially announced by the development team.
Some regional retailers will have exclusive, region-specific collector’s edition bonuses, like extra art prints or in-game items. That doesn’t mean those listings are fake, but you should always cross-reference the bonus details with the official regional publisher website to confirm they’re real. If you’re buying from a small, independent retailer, check their customer reviews first to make sure they have a track record of fulfilling collector’s edition preorders on time.
Is a Death Stranding 2 Collector’s Edition Worth the Premium Price?
The short answer is: it depends on what you’re looking for from the release. Collector’s editions for Kojima games usually cost 2 to 3 times the price of the standard game, so it’s not a small splurge for most people. You should only consider buying one if you’re a long-time fan of the franchise, or if you collect physical gaming merchandise as a hobby. If you only plan to play the game once and don’t care about physical items, you’re better off sticking to the standard digital or physical edition.
Before you commit to a preorder, ask yourself these four questions to decide if the purchase makes sense for you:
- You already own physical collector’s items from the first Death Stranding game and want to complete your collection
- You prioritize exclusive in-game cosmetics that won’t be sold separately post-launch
- You plan to play the game for 100+ hours and want extra content to extend your playthrough
- You have a budget set aside for limited-run gaming merchandise without cutting into other expenses
Most exclusive collector’s edition items will not be restocked once initial preorder runs sell out. Unlike standard game copies, which get restocked regularly for months after launch, collector’s editions are only printed once in limited quantities. That means if you miss the preorder window, you’ll likely have to pay double or triple the retail price to get a copy from a reseller later, just like I did with the first game. But if you don’t care about owning physical merchandise, the extra digital content alone isn’t worth the premium price for most players.
It’s also worth noting that the flagship tier with the BB pod replica is fairly large, so you’ll need enough display space to show it off if you buy it. I’ve seen many fans buy large collector’s edition statues only to leave them in the box because they don’t have room to display them, which makes the high price point a waste of money for most people.
Tips for Securing Your Death Stranding 2 Collector’s Edition Before It Sells Out
Preorders for the first Death Stranding collector’s edition sold out in less than two hours in most regions, so you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to get one at retail price. The good news is that there are a few simple steps you can take to drastically increase your chances of securing a copy before they’re gone. You don’t have to sit refreshing a webpage for 8 hours straight, but a little preparation goes a long way.
Sign up for official publisher email newsletters to get early access to preorder windows 24 hours before the general public. Kojima Productions and PlayStation both offer early preorder access to fans on their email lists, which gives you a huge advantage over people who wait for the public preorder launch. You should also follow the official Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions social media accounts, as they often post surprise restock announcements with very little warning.
Save your shipping and payment information on all official retailer websites ahead of the preorder launch. The last thing you want is to fumble with entering your credit card information while stock is selling out in real time. You should also decide which tier you want to buy ahead of time, so you don’t waste time comparing tiers when preorders go live. If you’re on the fence about the highest tier, it’s better to preorder it anyway and cancel later if you change your mind, rather than miss out entirely.
Don’t panic if you miss the initial preorder window. Small restocks usually happen for a week or two after the initial launch, as people cancel their preorders or retailers free up reserved stock that wasn’t paid for. Set up stock alerts on retailer websites if they offer them, and check back once a day for the first two weeks after preorders go live. I managed to get a copy of the Elden Ring collector’s edition three days after preorders sold out just by checking the PlayStation store randomly in the middle of the night, so it’s always worth keeping an eye out.
At the end of the day, the Death Stranding 2 collector’s lineup is made for the franchise’s biggest fans, and there’s no shame in skipping it if it doesn’t fit your budget or your interests. If you do decide to splurge, follow the tips we covered here to avoid scams, get the best price, and secure your copy before it sells out. No matter which edition you end up buying, the game itself is shaping up to be one of the most unique releases of the decade, and you’ll get the same core gameplay experience no matter which tier you pick.
