History Main / GameOfTheYearEdition

* ''VideoGame/TombRaider: Game of the Year Edition'' on PS3/Xbox 360. ''Definitive Editon'' on PS4/Xbox One.

* ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance'' had a Gold Edition featuring all the DLC characters from both the Hero Pack ([[Comicbook/TheAvengers Hawkeye]], [[Comicbook/{{X-Men}} Cyclops, Nightcrawler]], and [[Comicbook/IncredibleHulk The Hulk]]) and the Villain Pack ([[Comicbook/{{X-Men}} Magneto, Sabertooth,]] DoctorDoom and [[{{Spider-Man}} Venom]]). This is now the only way to get these DLC packs since Activision lost its Marvel license.

For the fanfic trope [[FanFic/NarutoGameOfTheYearEdition where this is applied to a universe,]] please see SuddenGameInterface.

Unfortunately, these bundles are [[MoneyDearBoy usually released within weeks of the last round of DLC hitting the market]], leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of many a gamer. Furthermore, some have begun to avoid purchasing [=DLC=] packs until they are released as part of the inevitable GOTY edition or packaged together at a reduced price online through the likes of UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, even if such a package isn't planned. It's even worse for developers, who lose potential sales gamers who have not yet tried the base game are scared off by the release of a single [=DLC=] pack, which causes thrifty buyers to wait until the assumed LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition is offered (whether that is actually planned or not).

On occasion, when a game is good enough to gain critical Game of the Year Award mass (preferably at the UsefulNotes/ElectronicEntertainmentExpo), and has featured a series of DownloadableContent, the main game will be bundled with these at a reduced price, typically about a month after the release of the last [=DLC=] (much to the chagrin of those who had already bought these separately). It is often abbreviated as GOTY.

This has led some players to avoid purchasing [=DLC=] packs until they are released as part of the GOTY edition or packaged together at a reduced price online through the likes of UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, etc. Even worse for developers if gamers who have not yet tried the base game are scared off by the release of a single [=DLC=] pack, which causes thrifty buyers to wait until the assumed LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition is offered (whether that is actually planned or not).

** ''VideoGame/Bloodborne'' may be even more guilty in this regard: while beloved by critics, the GoTY edition was announced '''before 2015 even ended'''. Understandably, this [[BrokenBase upset a number of fans]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Wasteland 2}}'' has an upcoming port for the PS4 and Xbox One that's '''titled''' the ''Game of the Year Edition'', which also upgrades the PC version to Unity 5. Similar to ''Left 4 Dead'', ''Wasteland 2'' has no DLC period.

* ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs[[ColonCancer :]] Ultimate Edition'': Includes Lobo, Batgirl, Scorpion, and Zod, plus extra costumes and STAR Lab Missions.

* ''VideoGame/{{Dishonored}}''. Also re-released for the PS4 and XB1 as the ''Definitive Edition''.

* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}'', but it does not include the Upgrade Pack 2 and Headhunter Packs. It was also released with [[VideoGame/BorderlandsThePreSequel]] on PS4 and XB1 as ''The Handsome Collection''.

* ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum'' has one.
** ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'' does too. As you can see above, the box isn't exactly subtle about it. It gives you all of the challenge maps, alternative skins, lets you play as Catwoman, and adds the "Harley Quinn's Revenge" DLC.

* ''VideoGame/DeadRising3'' has the "Apocalypse Edition," which includes the four DLC story campaign but not the "Super Ultra Dead Rising 3 Arcade Remix Hyper Edition EX Plus Alpha" mode.
* ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'', which goes by the ''Director's Cut'' and has all the DLC weapons and the standalone ''Missing Link'' campaign intergrated into the main game.
* ''VideoGame/{{Dishonored}}''

* ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'', according to UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}. An odd case, given that the game has no paid DLC to bundle with it.

* ''VideoGame/SaintsRowIV'' takes it one step further by including a "Game of the Century" edition.
** ''Saints Row IV'' also has the ''Re-Elected'' editions for PS4 and Xbox One, which includes all the original game's DLC on disk and a digital download voucher for the ''Gat Out of Hell'' standalone campaign.

* ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'': Featured 4 DLC characters ([[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Kenshi]], [[OriginalGeneration Skarlet]], [[VideoGame/MortalKombat3 Rain]] and [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy]] [[GuestFighter Krueger]]) as well as retro costumes for all the ninjas.
* ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs[[ColonCancer :]] Ultimate Edition''

* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}''
* ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty 2'' and ''VideoGame/ModernWarfare''
* ''VideoGame/DeusEx''

* ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament''

* ''VideoGame/FableII''

* ''VideoGame/{{Wasteland 2}}'' has an upcoming port for the PS4 and Xbox One that's '''titled''' the ''Game of the Year Edition''. Similar to ''Left 4 Dead'', ''Wasteland 2'' has no DLC period.

On occasion, when a game is good enough to gain critical Game of the Year Award mass (preferably at the {{E3}} game expo), and has featured a series of DownloadableContent, the main game will be bundled with these at a reduced price, typically about a month after the release of the last [=DLC=] (much to the chagrin of those who had already bought these separately). It is often abbreviated as GOTY.

This trend most likely started with Creator/{{Bethesda}}'s ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'', which was added to with the ''Tribunal'' and ''Blood Moon'' expansion packs, and later had these coupled with the main game in a cheaper re-release. However, earlier examples of "Game of the Year Editions" were titled various things ("Deluxe", "Complete", "Gold", "[[{{Blizzard}} Battle Chest]]") and similarly bundled (main game plus the expansions).

This trend most likely started with Creator/{{Bethesda}}'s ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'', which was added to with the ''Tribunal'' and ''Blood Moon'' expansion packs, and later had these coupled with the main game in a cheaper re-release. However, earlier examples of "Game of the Year Editions" were titled various things ("Deluxe", "Complete", "Gold", "[[Creator/{{Blizzard}} Battle Chest]]") and similarly bundled (main game plus the expansions).

This trend most likely started with Creator/{{Bethesda}}'s ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'', which was added to with the Tribunal and Blood Moon expansion packs, and later had these coupled with the main game in a cheaper re-release. However, there are some earlier examples of "Gold Edition" or some other thing that included both the main game and the Expansion.

* ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution''

** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' released its "Legendary Edition" on June 4, 2013 - speculation is that ''DeadIsland'''s release of a "Game of the Year" edition is the cause of the rebrand (or the fact that it was released a year and a half after the initial release).

* ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'', according to {{Steam}}. An odd case, given that the game has no paid DLC to bundle with it.

This has led some players to avoid purchasing [=DLC=] packs until they are released as part of the GOTY edition or packaged together at a reduced price online through the likes of {{Steam}}, etc. Even worse for developers if gamers who have not yet tried the base game are scared off by the release of a single [=DLC=] pack, which causes thrifty buyers to wait until the assumed LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition is offered (whether that is actually planned or not).

* ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'' does too. And, as you can see above, the box isn't exactly subtle about it. It gives you all of the challenge maps, alternative skins, lets you play as Catwoman, and adds the "Harley Quinn's Revenge" DLC.
* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIII'': The Washington Edition, which adds the The "Hidden Secrets" pack: Three new missions including the Mayan Ruins content, two new outfits, and two multiplayer characters,the "Battle Hardened" pack: three new multiplayer characters, new maps and "The Tyranny of King Washington", which, aside from the mission itself, adds the three additional alternate reality pieces of single-player content that sees you transforming into a bear, eagle, and wolf. And also summoning invisible wolves. Because hey, when you're playing in an alternate world with a Native American player character, you are allowed to go all out with all of this stuff.

* Deus Ex: Human Revolution
* Dishonored: Game of the Year Edition
* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV & Episodes from Liberty City: The Complete Edition''

* ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption''. Includes new Hardcore single-player difficulty option, plus the wildly popular Undead Nightmare single and multiplayer offerings, as well as all the additional downloadable content, including all the DLC originally released as pre-order content as well as the Solomon’s Folly single player gang hideout and challenges (available for the first time on Xbox 360).
* ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'', calling itself ''The Full Package''. This particular example is notable because it specifically excludes two [=DLCs=] due to massive fan backlash over them, as both give the player several [[DiscOneNuke Disc One Nuke]]s ''that they can't turn off''.
* Tomb Raider: Game of the Year Edition on PS3/Xbox 360. Definitive Editon on PS4/Xbox One.

* Injustice: Gods Among Us (Ultimate Edition)

* Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition

* Halo 4: Game of the Year Edition

* Dirt 3: Complete Edition
* Gran Turismo 5: XL Editon
* Midnight Club: L.A. Complete Edition

* Dishonored

* Tomb Raider

* Injustice: Gods Among Us

* Halo 4

* ''VideoGame/Injustice

On occasion, when a game is good enough to gain critical Game of the Year Award mass (preferably at the {{E3}} game expo), and has featured a series of {{DLC}}s, the main game will be bundled with these at a reduced price, typically about a month after the release of the last [=DLC=] (much to the chagrin of those who had already bought these separately). It is often abbreviated as GOTY.

This trend most likely started with {{Bethesda}}'s ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'', which was added to with the Tribunal and Blood Moon expansion packs, and later had these coupled with the main game in a cheaper re-release. However, there are some earlier examples of "Gold Edition" or some other thing that included both the main game and the Expansion.