When it comes to some of the best and most memorable collector's editions of all kinds, this one has gotta be at the top or near the top. A project of this magnitude would be a massive headache and undertaking but also probably the most satisfying. This sold for $200 with the original Xbox and seeing what it comes with + the game it makes many others selling for this much today with only a resin statue, mini artbook and soundtrack + knick knacks look like an absolute bargain today
This thing didn't just have an on switch, it had a whole startup sequence and series of switches, sliders and knobs similar to what an actual tank on legs would probably have to start it up. You can see the startup sequence here, lights, switches, sound and all even though it does get old having to do this every time you wanted to play
The controller has long outlived both the original Xbox and the game and it's just a pity that there was not enough foresight to create this as a platform agnostic device, something which we will likely insist on if we do it. There has since been a fan made box/cockpit (a bit oversimplified) to go along with the joystick and well... see for yourselves
Something of this magnitude along with the Fallout Pip-Boy are the chief inspirations for what we want to do here besides the simplier stuff. Hopefully this is an example of a "goodie"/reward that will have it's own demand and long after any campaign. This game out in 2002 and not enough people who would have eaten it up in a heartbeat knew about it at the time and we mourn missing it even now in 2026.
Gaming Youtube ReRez (whom I did share a project briefly with once upon a time) has a breakdown of both the controller in action and the game itself which almost seems like an afterthought here