Grand Theft Auto VI's newly announced $400 collector's set has ignited a firestorm among fans, who are expressing outrage over the steep price and the exclusion of the game itself. The premium merchandise collection, which includes items such as custom Oakley sunglasses, is being compared unfavorably to previous Rockstar Games collector's editions, particularly that of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Fans have voiced their disappointment online, with many deeming the set to be poor value for money. One widely shared sentiment suggests that the $400 cost is excessive, especially considering the absence of a physical copy or even a steelbook case for the game. "I hate to say it, but I think I’m gonna pass on the collector’s edition," one fan stated. "$400 is just insane and it doesn’t even come with a steelbook copy of the game. I’d rather save my money and buy some individual merch items that look cool rather than some overpriced sunglasses."
Some players lamented the perceived decline in value offered by modern collector's editions. "If this was 2016, they’d have an Ultimate Edition for $129.99 that includes the game, the coke mirror, the snuff spoon, the razor keychain and a map, but we live in 2026 SuperHell," another fan commented, drawing a stark contrast to the pricing and inclusions of past special editions.
The collector's set for Red Dead Redemption 2, which retailed for $100, is frequently cited as a more desirable and reasonably priced alternative. That edition included various in-game item replicas and trinkets, such as a physical store catalog, which fans felt was more thematically connected to the game and offered better value. "I would’ve actually preferred a GTA 6 Collector’s Box similar to the one for Red Dead Redemption 2," a fan expressed. "It felt more connected to the game and the price point of around 100 bucks was also WAY MORE reasonable."
Rockstar's western sequel also offered two smaller special editions at $79.99 and $99.99, which included physical maps and digital content. In contrast, the $100 GTA 6 Ultimate Edition, while offering substantial digital extras, lacks any physical game media or steelbook. A point of particular contention is the inclusion of a physical map of Leonida in the $400 set, a feature that historically came bundled with standard physical editions of previous GTA and Red Dead titles. It remains unclear if the standard boxed copy of Grand Theft Auto VI will include a map, fueling further fan concern.
Grand Theft Auto V's collector's editions also offered more perceived value, with a $79.99 version that included a steelbook, a map, and digital content, alongside a physical copy of the game. A larger $150 edition of GTA V further supplemented this with branded apparel and a premium storage box.
While Grand Theft Auto VI will not feature a disc-based release, a physical edition containing a code in the box will be available on November 12, a week prior to the game's official launch, to allow for pre-loading. Rockstar is also releasing physical versions of the game's music album and limited edition PlayStation 5 controllers for dedicated fans.