These stupid exclusive items kind of annoy me. It really isn't very fair. If I don't buy L4D2 via pre-order, then I never get to play with the baseball bat, or if I don't bend over backwards buying junk food or trading with people, I never get to play with these cool little bonus items on ME2.

Rogue Squadron on the N64 had an unlockable Naboo Fighter, it was a cool little bonus to discover months after the game was released. I imagine that if that came out today, the Naboo Fighter would be some exclusive pre-order DLC or something you have to pay $5 dollars for.

I guess they are nice little bonuses for the fans, not things you have to have to enjoy the game, but fun extras for those who want to go through the effort. But let's say some guy buys a 360 this time next year, plays Mass Effect, and becomes a HUGE fan of the series. He hears about these cool DLC things that he can never have, it would be pretty disappointing. I think it is kind of lame. They are turning something valueless that costs them nothing into bonuses that should supposedly carry some value.

Also, remember back when you'd get cool but worthless swag (like t-shirts, or posters) for pre-ordering games? At least it was something tangible back then. A lot better than my lame little extra multiplayer characters I got for pre-ordering BS2.

Okay, enough ranting. Tune in next week to hear me go off on achievements/trophies.