AdvGamer
In 2026, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is no longer a cryptic preorder puzzle. It arrived on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025, with a 48-hour early access window on June 24 for those who bought pricier editions. Developed by Kojima Productions, the sequel earned a glowing IGN review that called it 'a sequel that triumphs in what it sets out to achieve, and a blockbuster fulfilment of what Death Stranding can (and should) be.' A year later, the beach is still weird, the packages are still heavy, and the editions are still worth revisiting for anyone who somehow missed the boat. 🏖️
The Three Editions, Ranked by Statue Size
| Edition | Price | Release | Key Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $69.99 | June 26, 2025 | Game itself, physical or digital, plus preorder bonuses if still available |
| Digital Deluxe | Not listed (but more than standard) | June 24, 2025 (early access) | Digital game, 48-hour early access, gold skeletons, patches, machine gun |
| Collector's | $229.99 | June 24, 2025 (early access) | Digital game, early access, 15-inch Magellan Man statue, 3-inch Dollman figurine, art cards, Kojima letter, all deluxe in-game items |
The standard edition, at $69.99, is the sensible choice for a player who can live without digital trinkets or a towering statue. It comes with the game itself, plus the digital preorder bonuses if the retailer still honors them. In 2026, that is a big if. The standard edition was sold at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, Walmart, PS Direct, and the PS Store. No links here, because the beach does not need them.
The digital-only deluxe edition is for fans who want to start hiking two days early and look fabulous while doing it. It includes 48-hour early access from June 24, a Machine Gun (MP Bullets) LV1 early unlock, Battle Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3), Boost Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3), Bokka Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3), a Quokka Patch, a Chiral Feline Patch, and the 'Why Me?' Patch. That last patch is a question every porter asks after tripping over a rock for the fifth time. 🎒
The Collector's Edition is exclusive to PlayStation Direct and costs $229.99. It includes a full game digital download, 48-hour early access, a Collector's Box, a 15-inch Magellan Man Statue, a 3-inch Dollman figurine, art cards, a letter from Hideo Kojima, and all the in-game items from the digital deluxe edition. The statue is 15 inches of pure Kojima confidence. The letter is presumably handwritten in a language that only makes sense after 30 hours of gameplay.
Preorder Bonuses: A Silver Lining That Has Sailed
Players who preordered Death Stranding 2 received a Quokka Hologram, Battle Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3), Boost Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3), and Bokka Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3). In 2026, those preorder windows are closed, so late adopters may only get the base game. Such is the cruel beach of life. A silver skeleton is not a human right, apparently. 🦴
Other Merchandise for the Truly Devoted
Also available exclusively through PlayStation Direct was a Death Stranding 2-emblazoned PS5 DualSense controller for $84.99. It features the Drawbridge logo and motto on the touchpad, plus barcode-like designs on the grips. It sold out quickly, because a limited-edition controller disappears faster than a ghost in a Kojima cutscene. 🎮
Arriving a little later than the game was The Art of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, a hardcover book priced at $39.99. It released on November 11, 2025. For fans who want to appreciate the game's art without carrying a stack of packages up a mountain, this is the obvious choice.
What the Game Actually Is, According to People Who Played It
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a direct sequel to the 2019 original. It takes place 11 months after the birth of the UCA, when the world has been connected, deliveries have been automated, and a new faction is rising up. Kojima-level weirdness abounds. There is a Solid Snake-like character. There are probably babies involved. IGN's hands-on preview was based on 30 hours of gameplay, which is a lot of gameplay, even for a game about walking.
In 2026, the game is fully available. The standard edition is the easiest to find. The Collector's Edition may be resold at higher prices by people who bought two. The digital deluxe edition might still be on the PS Store. The game remains a PS5 exclusive, because Kojima Productions does not do things halfway. Players who missed the launch can still enjoy the beach, the babies, and the bizarre package delivery. Just do not expect a silver skeleton. That ship has sailed, and it was carrying a 15-inch statue.