Special edition DVDs, collector's dream or worst nightmare?

I've bought the odd special edition video in my time, including a Star Trek: The Next Generation tenth anniversary boxset and Terminator 2 special, released on 'Judgement Day' in August 1997 (I'm showing my age now!)
But videos were just too darn big to do anything truly special with - then DVDs came along....
A few birthdays ago, Mr M presented me with the Event Horizon special edition (which he has since bought me on blu-ray, and my god it's gorgeous!) in a cool limited edition case.
But as the pair of us soon worked out, it was actually just left over cases from Paramount's Star Trek: Enterprise run, painted green with Event Horizon stuck on the front.
But DVD, and now blu-ray, packaging is getting far more creative, as studios work out that serious fans and collectors will part with a few extra pennies for something truly special.
Take the release of the original Battlestar Galactica series. > You could get the complete series in a normal boxset or shell out a bit more for the cool, silver, limited edition cylon packaging. That's what I did, and while the series may not have been anywhere near as good as the recent show - the original cylons are still my favourite.

Recent releases, such as Iron Man and Watchmen, have seen the movies issued in character cases. To add to the collectability of such cases, the packaging was only available through one store - HMV - with Dr Manhattan available only on blu-ray and Rorschach only on DVD.
And then there's the super-duper packing for the series collector.
The Alien Quadrology boxset can be purchased on DVD in an alien head. This nine disk set will set you back
£150, but it does make a stunning addition to any sci fi collection. The only problem is, you'll then be faced with shelling out a further cash when the films are finally released on blu-ray - better start saving now then.

And don't forget the Planet of the Apes boxset, 14 discs containing all the films, sadly including Tim Burton's abysmal 2001 version, plus the TV series.
I'm don't actually own this set myself, but I know someone who does and up close it's fantastic. Although he is a huge Planet of the Apes fan and as yet has not been able to bring himself to watch the 2001 version.
And coming out soon on blu-ray is Terminator Salvation in limited edition T-600 bust - to be honest I'd pay extra if they promised to send it out to me minus the movie, it stank.
But it's not just the movie world which has embraced collectable packing.
Last year Mr M purchased Halo 3 which came in a limited edition Master Chief helmet, and Fallout 3 in a cool steel lunchbox.
And while the steel case which Bioshock came in wasn't anything special to look at, the collectable Big Daddy it came with was worth the £60 alone.
I guess value is in the eye of the beholder. There are some things I'd crawl bare-kneed over broken glass to get my hands on, like a lifesized ABC Warrior or Big Daddy. And I'd think nothing of spending £80 on a Jack Skellington doll (although that was only £40 if Mr M asks)
But if you offered me anything to do with Twilight or Buffy the Vampire Slayer for 10p and a curlywurly I'd have to politely decline.
The other problem of course is the amount of space these things take up. Right now I could live in a 10 bedroomed mansion and still be looking at building an extension to house all my 'precious things'.
Still I take comfort in the fact that one day, when my vast collection eventually collapses and crushes me to death, that the rescue team sent to recover my body will be well impressed!

So what do you think, are limited edition DVDs/blu-rays the bee's knees or just dust gatherers. As always email me at cheryl.mullin@liverpool.com with your thoughts.