Editorials
Starfield: Which Edition to Buy?
If you decide to buy Starfield, you’ll want to choose the right edition for your interest level and budget.
Starfield hits the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows PC on September 6th. Remember, Starfield is exclusive to these platforms and it won’t be released for Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 or the Nintendo Switch.
There are several Starfield editions to choose from. There’s a Standard edition, there’s a Premium edition (as well as a Premium edition upgrade), and there’s a collector’s bundle dubbed the Constellation edition.
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If you decide to buy a copy, you’ll want to do your homework so you don’t wind up with buyers remorse.
Each edition has its pros and cons and today we want to guide you through each one and tell you about the key differences between a physical and digital copy of the game.
Starfield Standard Edition
The Starfield Standard edition is the most basic version of the game. For $69.99, you get a copy of the game and some bonuses if you order before the game hits shelves.
Here’s the Starfield pre-order bonus. Bethesda calls it the Old Mars Skin Pack and it applies to pre-orders for all versions of the game.
- Laser Cutter
- Deep Mining Helmet
- Deep Mining Pack
Xbox Game Pass members get access to the game on day one. They also get access to the pre-order bonuses included in Starfield Standard edition.
Bethesda says Game Pass members get access to the pre-order content as long as their Game Pass subscription is active, regardless of when they download the game.
Who should buy the standard Starfield standard edition?
- You plan to play Starfield casually.
- You don’t care about playing before September 6th.
You can pre-order the Starfield standard edition right now at various retailers including Amazon, Best Buy and GameStop.
Starfield Premium Edition
For those that want a little more from their purchase, there’s the Starfield Premium edition. It’s a $99.99 bundle and it comes with a bunch of extras.
Again, you get the same pre-order bonuses from the Standard edition, but this bundle also comes with the following items:
- Starfield base game
- Shattered Space Story Expansion (upon release)
- Up to 5 days early access
- Constellation Skin Pack
- Access to Starfield Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
Bethesda notes that early access depends on purchase date and will be subject to possible outages and applicable time zone differences.
So who should opt for Starfield Premium edition?
- You want to play Starfield ASAP.
- You plan to invest a lot of time in Starfield.
You can buy the Premium edition right now at various retailers including Amazon.
If you buy the Standard edition, but decide you want the Premium edition, retailers are offering an upgrade for $34.99. This upgrade comes with the content from the Premium edition, but if you order a physical copy of the game, you’ll also get the following items:
- Steelbook Display Case (when purchased from participating retail stores)
- Constellation Patch (when purchased from participating retail stores)
You won’t get these items if you buy the digital version of the Premium edition upgrade.
Starfield Constellation Edition
Bethesda also has the Constellation edition, a collector’s bundle aimed at rabid fans of Starfield/Bethesda games. It’s extremely expensive, $299.99, but it comes with a very unique item.
Here’s what you get from the Constellation edition:
- Starfield base game
- Shattered Space Story Expansion (upon release)
- Up to 5 days early access
- Constellation Skin Pack
- Access to Starfield Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
- Steelbook Display Case
- Constellation Patch
- Credit Stick with Laser-Etched Game Code
- Starfield Chronomark Watch & Case
The Starfield Chronomark watch LPV6 is an item your character gets in the game and Bethesda’s brought it into the real world with this bundle.
Before you order, note that while the watch will connect to your phone, the device does not transmit phone calls, does not support cellular service, and is not a touch screen device.
This is a bundle aimed at hardcore collectors and fans and should only be bought by enthusiasts. Most people should buy the standard or Premium edition.
Starfield: Digital vs. Physical
Like most games, Starfield comes in physical and digital formats. Here are a few things to consider before you pick one or the other.
If you’re sick of discs cluttering up your house, buy a digital version. You’ll also want to go digital if discs often go missing or get damaged in your home.
If you play a lot of different games, and you don’t want to pull the disc out every time you want to play, go with a digital copy. Downloading a digital copy means you’ll have easy access to the game every time you start up your console.
If you want to play the game ASAP, purchase a digital copy. You can pre-load the game ahead of its release date. Pre-loading will allow you to start playing the second the game is live and potentially avoid long download times on release day.
There are also a few reasons to go with a physical copy of Starfield.
If you purchase a physical copy you’ll be able to sell it to GameStop or put it on sale on a site like Craigslist or eBay if you get tired of playing it.
You’ll also be able to lend your copy out to friends or family members when you decide to move onto another game.
Pre-Order Starfield for These Bonuses | |||||||||
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Starfield pre-orders come with some bonus items. Bethesda calls the Starfield pre-order bonus the Old Mars Skin Pack and it applies to pre-orders for all versions of the game. The Old Mars Skin Pack includes the following items:
If you want access to these items, you'll want to pre-order a copy of the game before it arrives in early September. | |||||||||
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