Image via Complex Original
Intro
The unboxing video is akin to geek porn in that it's meant to titillate and give viewers a chance to live vicariously through the thrills the “unboxer” in said video is experiencing. It's a chance to dig into one of those glorious special editions you may never otherwise have the cash for, or an opportunity to tear into that coveted limited edition, collectors only, rarer-than-Mew offerings that a meager retail salary won't allow you to purchase...in good conscience, anyway.
While most collectors' editions simply aren't worth the trouble these days, there are those are gems with corresponding unboxing epics that serve as the perfect companion to tirelessly combing the net for information about your favorite upcoming release. But not all unboxing videos are created equal. There's a vast difference between ripping open a package haphazardly on webcam and a funny or informative presentation. With that, we bring you ten of the best unboxing videos we've seen. Get ready to nerdgasm.
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10. Galaxy Nexus Ninja Unboxing
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Though technically not related to video games in the sense that this product is indeed a phone, this clever unboxing video takes the cake as one of the most memorable. At first you’re taking in a normal, if not quirky Galaxy Nexus unboxing, and then it bizarrely evolves into an 8-bit fighter. Don’t believe us? Give it a try!
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9. Busy Scissors Unboxing Featurette
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I’ve played Busy Scissors, and it’s about as developed as you would imagine. It’s a haircutting game that rips off Cooking Mama. Frank Cifaldi of 1UP received the game a day early and put together this cutting (see what we did there?) unboxing video that mocks the game’s concept and quality despite having never played the game, based on its marketing campaign and materials.
Half of me says he should have at least given the game its fair due first before passing judgment, but the other half can’t stop giggling over how ridiculous Cifaldi’s video actually is. You gotta hand it to him – it’s pretty clever.
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8. Modern Warfare 2: Prestige Edition
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Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling introduces fervent gamers to the Prestige Edition of the then hotly-anticipated Modern Warfare 2, complete with night-vision goggles. It was a sight to behold for mega-fans of the popular franchise, and the unboxing video lent some of the same tension you feel from many of the series’ breathtaking cinematic trailers.
He’s going through the box’s contents and you can’t help but feel as though something awesome is coming despite Bowling’s seemingly lackluster narration. And as far as we’re concerned, miniature night-vision goggles were a pretty sweet extra. I’d take them over a Call of Duty Elite subscription any day.
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7. Record of Agarest War Really Naughty Edition
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Mike Fahey of Kotaku contributes the “official,” as far as the blogosphere is concerned, unboxing video of the infamous “Really Naughty Edition” of the mediocre strat-RPG Record of Agarest War. Its creep factor is through the roof as Fahey goes on to playfully showcase the breast-shaped mouse pad and other ecchi-related items included in this embarrassingly sexual box set.
We might feel differently if the game were serviceable, but coupled with the strange accessories and tone of the video, this is an unintentionally hilarious unboxing video that’s worth giving a look. Especially if you like cute anime women.
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6. Halo: Reach Legendary Edition
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The Bungie team took great care to introduce each individual edition of Halo: Reach, ensuring that each product received plenty of on-screen time, explanation of its contents, and commentary on the items packed within.
There isn’t much by way of hilarity or over-the-top design decisions here, but the video is clean, professional, and informative, just what prospective unboxing video viewers are usually looking for. The point, rather than showing off a new purchase, is to give buyers an idea of what they’re getting, and this well-crafted offering does just that.
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5. Catherine Love is Over Edition
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Catherine needed little to set itself apart from the pack, as its unique brand of action-oriented block puzzles combined with premarital woes stood in a league all its own. Its unboxing video featured Atlus’ Aram Jabbari fiddling around with the contents of the Love is Over edition, making snide remarks throughout, referencing his possession of a box cutter that’s he not supposed to have…you know, since the “incident.”
It’s as quirky as you’d expect from Atlus, considering their usual off-the-wall marketing campaigns, and an enjoyable showing.
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4. Gears of War 3 Epic Collector’s Edition
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Ice-T is no stranger to speaking out when it comes to video games, and after having worked with the Epic team on Gears of War 3, of course he wanted to share his excitement over having access to the Epic Collector’s Edition of the triple-A blockbuster before the general public.
The hilarity of watching the rapper gallivant around the room talking about his exclusive video game set and what he gets in the mail takes this video from mere unboxing video depths to near-parodic heights as Ice-T brags about what he got for working on the game.
You start out loving that you finally get a look inside the package, then feeling a little down from watching a rich guy bragging. That’s pretty much what it is. Entertaining nevertheless.
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3. Uncharted 3: Drake Deception Collector's Edition
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Sony took things one step further for the Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Collector's Edition, recruiting Nathan Drake himself, Nolan North, to walk in and show off all the niceties you received upon tearing into the gorgeous tome.
Nolan took time from his rather busy schedule of starring in every video game ever to run by Naughty Dog and open up the very first collector’s package before any ravenous Uncharted fan. It’s one of the better quickies annotated with North’s awkward comedic timing and it did much more than show us what’s in the box (like Brad Pitt kept asking in Se7en), it also entertained us.
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2. Killzone 3: Helghast Limited Edition
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It's all well and good to sit and watch your average gamer listlessly pore through the items available in their latest purchase. It's another to watch a ravenous Helghast soldier rip through a package while talking about just how hard he's going to crush the ISA.
It's an official Sony offering so we expected the higher production value and costuming, but this is a fun spin on a trope that can quickly become tired, especially with the amount of dwindling content in this day and age. We've never felt so threatened by a simple video game package.
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1. BioShock 2 Official Special Edition
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Anyone can film a box, but it takes a special publisher to make it memorable. 2K Games knocked one out of the park with their BioShock 2 Collectors' Edition reel that went the extra mile. Not only did it eloquently showcase the package's contents, but it's a tongue-in-cheek poke at over-zealous gamers and collectors who analyze every single item contained within.
The ending's hilarious mention of the “Uber Edition” was an unexpected bonus and you just can't beat a Big Daddy wreaking havoc in your average office. I'd like a little of that at my 9 to 5 job, please! Without the being fired part, preferably.