Rockstar's $400 GTA 6 Collector's Box Draws Backlash; Game Sold Separately

Rockstar Games has unveiled The Goodtime State – Vice City Collection, a $399.99 premium merchandise box that sparked immediate criticism from fans after its September 24 announcement. The collector's set, themed around the fictional in-game TV show Macca the Gator, contains 11 items including a 6-inch Macca figure, Oakley Frogskins sunglasses, a New Era snapback hat, a Leonida Keys crossbody bag, magnetic mirror, shot glass, swizzle spoon, razor blade keychain, enamel pin set, stickers, and a double-sided Leonida map poster. Notably, the box does not include a copy of GTA 6, which must be purchased separately at $79.99 for Standard Edition or $99.99 for Ultimate Edition.

The announcement coincided with Rockstar's broader merchandise push ahead of GTA 6's November 19 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The company has also released limited-edition DualSense controllers and a vinyl album featuring original music from major artists. Industry analysts note that Rockstar recently installed a large "Welcome to Vice City" sign at the Miami Heat's arena, reportedly costing nearly $1 million as part of the marketing campaign.

Fan reaction has been negative, with players canceling pre-orders and calling the merchandise "junk" and "slop" on social media platforms including Reddit. Critics cited the high price relative to item quality and the reuse of design elements from the original Vice City release, specifically the mirror, swizzle spoon, and razor blade keychain—items that previously drew controversy for appearing to promote cocaine use. Some fans questioned whether Rockstar was exploiting collector sentiment, while others noted that the high-quality Oakley sunglasses component justifies a portion of the cost. One Reddit user commented after canceling: "After a good night, I cancelled and I feel better."

The collection remains available for pre-order on Rockstar's official store on a limited basis, with one box per customer. It will ship on November 19, the same day as the game's release. Rockstar has restricted pre-orders to one unit per person and listed the set as an adult collectible for ages 18 and up. The company's decision to sell the box separately from the game reflects a broader trend among publishers offering high-priced merchandise bundles independent of game purchases, though the lack of game inclusion and negative reception distinguish this release from typical collector's editions.