Editions
Echoes of Aincrad editions compared: Standard ($69.99), Deluxe ($89.99), Ultimate ($109.99) and the PS5-only physical Aincrad Edition ($149.99). What each includes — the Expansion DLC, Starter Pack, the Unanswered//butterfly app and collector's merch — plus the pre-order bonus, so you know which one to buy.
Echoes of Aincrad comes in four editions: Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, and the PlayStation 5–only physical Aincrad Edition. Every one of them contains the complete game — the same main story, side content, endgame, companions and weapon types. What you pay more for is extras: the post-launch Expansion DLC, in-game head-start item packs, an art-and-music app that includes the Unanswered//butterfly film, and — on the Aincrad Edition — a box of physical merch. Pre-ordering any digital edition also adds the Proto-Elucidator weapon pack.
Prices are the US launch list price. Actual pricing varies by region, storefront and sale — check your platform's store for the current figure.
What each edition includes
Standard Edition
$69.99Digital · PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)
The complete game, no extras.
- The complete base game — the full main story, all side content and endgame, every companion and all six weapon types
Best for: Anyone who just wants the full RPG and doesn't care about bonus cosmetics or the tie-in film.
Deluxe Edition
$89.99Digital · PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)
Base game + the Expansion DLC + a head-start pack.
Everything in the Standard Edition, plus:
- The Expansion DLC (the post-launch side chapter, planned before the end of 2026)
- Starter Pack: 50,000 Col, High Healing Potion ×10, High SP Potion ×10, Mystic Crystal ×10
- Death Game Mode unlocked early — available from the start instead of after the story
Best for: The best all-round value for most players — you get the paid expansion up front and a leg-up on early resources.
Ultimate Edition
$109.99Digital · PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)
Everything in Deluxe, plus the art-and-film app and a cosmetic armor set.
Everything in the Deluxe Edition, plus:
- Unanswered//butterfly Bonus Contents App — the roughly 110-minute animated film, a digital art collection (character, enemy and background concept art) and the full digital soundtrack
- Armor Pack: Flutter Boots & Flutter Robes (cosmetic gear)
Best for: SAO fans and collectors who want the Unanswered//butterfly film, the artbook and soundtrack, and the Flutter armor look.
Aincrad Edition
$149.99Physical · PlayStation 5 only (US)
A physical collector's box with all the Ultimate digital content.
Everything in the Ultimate Edition, plus:
- A base game disc plus an Ultimate Edition Upgrade Voucher — so every Ultimate digital bonus above is included
- Physical merch: a beanie, a wall scroll, a set of patches and a sticker pack
Best for: Collectors who want the merch on a shelf and play on PS5 — the only edition that isn't digital-only.
Pre-order bonus — Proto-Elucidator Series Weapon Pack
Pre-ordering any digital edition adds the Proto-Elucidator Series weapon pack: six jet-black weapons modeled on the prototype of the Elucidator, a matching shield, and blueprints to craft your own copies of each.
Editions FAQ
What editions of Echoes of Aincrad are there?
Four: Standard ($69.99), Deluxe ($89.99) and Ultimate ($109.99) — all digital on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam) — plus the Aincrad Edition ($149.99), a PlayStation 5–only physical collector's edition. Every edition contains the complete game; the higher tiers add DLC, item packs, an art-and-film app and merch. (US pricing; it varies by region and storefront.)
What's the difference between the Standard, Deluxe and Ultimate editions?
Standard is the complete game on its own. Deluxe adds the Expansion DLC, a Starter Pack (50,000 Col, High Healing Potion ×10, High SP Potion ×10, Mystic Crystal ×10) and an early unlock of Death Game Mode. Ultimate includes everything in Deluxe and adds the Unanswered//butterfly Bonus Contents App — the ~110-minute animated film, a digital artbook and the soundtrack — plus the Flutter Boots & Flutter Robes cosmetic armor pack.
Is the Ultimate Edition worth it?
It comes down to the extras, not the game: every edition plays identically. The Ultimate is worth it if you want the Unanswered//butterfly film, the concept-art book and the soundtrack, and like the Flutter armor look — it's the only way to get that app content. If you mainly want the gameplay expansion and a resource head-start, the Deluxe Edition covers that for $20 less.
What is the Aincrad Edition (collector's edition)?
The Aincrad Edition ($149.99) is a PlayStation 5–only physical collector's edition sold in the US. It packs a base game disc with an Ultimate Edition Upgrade Voucher — so all the Ultimate digital content is included — plus physical merch: a beanie, a wall scroll, patches and a sticker pack. It's the only edition that isn't purely digital.
What is the Echoes of Aincrad pre-order bonus?
Pre-ordering any digital edition grants the Proto-Elucidator Series weapon pack: six jet-black weapons modeled on the prototype of the Elucidator, a matching shield, and blueprints to craft your own copies of each.
Does every edition include the full game?
Yes. Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate and the Aincrad Edition all contain the complete base game — the same main story, side content, endgame, companions and weapon types. The price differences are entirely bonus content: DLC, in-game item packs, the Unanswered//butterfly app and physical merch.
Deciding when and where to buy? Check the release date and pre-order details, which platforms it's on, and — for the film that ships with the premium editions — the Unanswered//butterfly anime explainer.