Video games vary widely in terms of quality. Some titles are truly terrible, and some, on the other hand, are exceptionally brilliant, and deserve to be played by as many people as possible. These games generally receive critical acclaim across the board, and are heralded as Game Of The Year by at least one of the major gaming websites. It's at this point that the publishers of said game decide to release a Game Of The Year edition. This re-release could mean anything from just the same game repackaged for newcomers, or the original game plus a host of DLC and other extras all packed into one comprehensive package.

We have sorted the wheat from the chaff for you, and the list below features seven Game Of The Year editions that were actually worth the wait. We've included other editions of games which do the same thing as the GOTY releases, but go by a different name.

Red Dead Redemption: Game Of The Year Edition

Red Dead Redemption is a fantastic game that deserves to be played by everyone even in its original form. But the Game Of The Year Edition adds real value. The biggest reason to buy the this version is the inclusion of Undead Nightmare, a highly playable standalone game which sees the main character fighting off hordes of zombies in locations featured in the main game. This alone will add 10 hours of playing time, while the other DLC that's also included adds greatly to the overall value of this package.

Borderlands: Game Of The Year Edition

Borderlands was a revelation upon release thanks to a highly playable campaign. It's aged well in the years since, with its unique visual style not losing any of its charm. The Game Of The Year Edition only added to its appeal, with four DLC packs included on the disc. These were expensive when released as downloads, but add great value now that they're included in the physical release. Borderlands was a lengthy game anyway, and these extra missions aid the longevity factor.

Fallout: New Vegas: Ultimate Edition

Fallout 3 was a fine game, but the follow-up, New Vegas, arguably bettered its predecessor in every way. Fallout: New Vegas is a magnificent example of an action-RPG, and the Ultimate Edition is the definitive version of the game. As well as the original release, the Ultimate Edition includes the extra DLC storylines and missions, and the weapons and equipment that came bundled with them.

Saints Row The Third: The Full Package

Like all of the Saints Row games, Saints Row The Third values fun above all else. While the Grand Theft Auto games are highly entertaining, the Saints Row titles wear their LOLs on their sleeves. Saints Row The Third is more of the same, and The Full Package only adds to the fun and longevity of the game. It doesn't quite include all of the DLC, making the name slightly disingenuous, but what is here will give you countless hours of entertainment.

Batman: Arkham City: Game Of The Year Edition

Batman: Arkham City is the brilliant sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum, and both titles are well worth playing if you're a fan of the titular comic book hero. You play Batman, obviously, who comes up against many of his greatest foes in this action-adventure game. While the Game Of The Year Edition doesn't add a great deal of content, what it does add makes it THE version to buy. The biggest draw is the Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC, which acts as an epilogue to the main game.

Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition

Resident Evil 5 may not have bowled everyone over upon release, but the series has enough fans to ensure this title sold well. The action is fast and fluid, and the visuals are extremely impressive. These key factors are enough to see off any flaws in the game. The Gold Edition keeps the original game intact but adds two new episodes, several new costumes, an online versus mode, and an updated Mercenaries mode. Which all adds significantly to the overall package.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Legendary Edition

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim continues in a similar vein to the previous Elder Scrolls games, except everything in Skyrim is bigger, better, and badder. In terms of action-RPGs this is pretty much the benchmark title at the time of writing, with the size, scale, and style of the game all earning praise. The Legendary Edition adds the three official DLC releases, Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn, as well as a Legendary difficulty mode and Legendary skills, both of which add even more longevity to an already-epic game.

Conclusions

These re-released, repackaged, upgraded versions represent the best of the best Game Of The Year editions. There are others worth buying, of course, and others you should definitely steer clear of unless you like being ripped off. This latter group will remain unnamed and shamed, but just be sure to look at what extra content and features have been added before you buy a GOTY edition.

What do you think of the list? Are there any games you don't think deserve to have made the cut? Are there any other Game Of The Year (or otherwise special) editions of a console or PC game you think should have been included? Are you a fan of GOTY editions in general or do you think it's often just an excuse to squeeze a little extra cash from gamers?

Please feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Image Credit: Ian Muttoo