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The difference is content, not the base game. Battlefield 3 Limited Edition included the Back to Karkand multiplayer expansion at no extra charge, according to EA’s 2011 announcement. The standard edition did not include it. EA also sold Back to Karkand separately, so the same content can be bought without the Limited Edition packaging, though availability and price depend on platform and region.
What the Limited Edition included
EA’s 2011 announcement described Back to Karkand as a multiplayer expansion that reimagined four popular Battlefield 2 maps using Frostbite 2. A later EA announcement listed the full package: the maps Strike at Karkand, Wake Island, Gulf of Oman, and Sharqi Peninsula, plus a Conquest Assault mode.
The expansion’s extra content, as listed in those announcements, is:
- Maps: four remastered Battlefield 2 maps (Strike at Karkand, Wake Island, Gulf of Oman, Sharqi Peninsula).
- Mode: Conquest Assault.
- Vehicles: three.
- Weapons: ten.
- Dog tags: five.
- Achievements or trophies: five.
- Unlocks: assignment-based rewards.
The maps, vehicle count and weapon count come from the 2011 announcement. The mode, dog tags, achievements and unlock system come from the later listing. These are EA’s published content specifications, not player or performance figures.
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- Battlefield 3 introduces Frostbite 2, the incredible technology that takes animation, destruction, lighting, scale and audio
- Feel the impact of bullets and explosions, drag your fallen comrades into safety, and mount your weapon on almost any part of the terrain
- The best online vehicular warfare experience gets even better with a fitting sonic boom as fighter jets headline impressive lineup vehicles
- Take the fight to iconic and unexpected urban locations in the USA, Middle East, and Europe
- Experience gripping multiplayer action with 2-24 player battles supported online
Platform and version
The launch-era EA announcement lists Battlefield 3 for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Edition contents are platform-specific, so confirm the platform on any copy you consider. A disc or code for one platform does not carry over to another.
Buying Back to Karkand separately
Back to Karkand was not limited to the Limited Edition. EA’s launch announcement said it would be free for players who preordered or purchased the Limited Edition. The expansion was later sold on its own. Patrick Söderlund, then Executive Vice President of the EA Games Label, framed the free offer this way:
Rank #2
- Battlefield 3 introduces Frostbite 2, the technology that takes animation, destruction, lighting, scale and audio to new heights. Battlefield 3 immerses players physically and emotionally to world around them.
- Feel impact of bullets and explosions, drag fallen comrades to safety, and mount weapons on any terrain. Battlefield 3’s animation, visuals and real gameplay attack your senses and make you feel the visceral warriors experience.
- Unparalleled Vehicle Warfare — The best online vehicle warfare experience gets even better with a fitting sonic boom as fighter jets headline impressive lineup of land, air and sea vehicles
- Urban Combat — Take the fight to iconic and unexpected places in the USA, Middle East, and Europe including claustrophobic streets, metropolitan downtowns, and open, vehicle-friendly landscapes as you fight your way through the war of tomorrow.
“Free for those that pre-ordered or purchased the Limited Edition of Battlefield 3, Back to Karkand is another way for us to say thanks to our fans and show our continued support for the game.”
EA’s current product listing for Back to Karkand presents it as a separate PC add-on that requires the base Battlefield 3 game. Because those pages change, check the listing for your platform before buying.
Rank #3
- Battlefield 3 - Limited Edition (PS3)
Comparing your options
The three routes to this content differ in scope and in what they cost. The table below uses only what the sources state.
| Option | What it gives you | Platforms | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battlefield 3 standard edition | Base game, without Back to Karkand | PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (launch-era announcement) | Not stated in the sources |
| Battlefield 3 Limited Edition | Base game plus Back to Karkand at no extra charge (2011 announcement) | PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (launch-era announcement) | Not stated in the sources; used copies not priced |
| Back to Karkand (separate add-on) | The four-map expansion only; listed as a PC add-on requiring Battlefield 3 on EA’s current product page | PC listed on EA’s current page; other platforms not stated | Not stated in the sources |
| Battlefield 3 Premium | Described in a 2012 EA announcement as covering all five expansion packs | Not stated in the sources | Not stated in the sources |
If you only want the Back to Karkand maps and modes, the separate add-on is the direct route. If you want every expansion, Premium is the broader option, but the sources do not describe what it includes beyond the five packs or what it costs. Premium’s details should be checked against EA’s store before you buy.
Rank #4
- As bullets whiz by, walls crumble, and explosions throw you to the ground, the battlefield feels more alive and interactive than ever before. In Battlefield 3, players step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines where they will experience heart-pounding single player missions and competitive multiplayer actions ranging across diverse locations from around the globe including Europe, Middle-East and North America.
Checking a used Limited Edition copy
The sources establish the original offer and EA’s current PC add-on listing. They do not establish how many used copies exist, what they sell for, or whether a particular Limited Edition code is still valid. A used copy may or may not include a working Back to Karkand code, so the listing is the only place to check.
- Confirm the platform matches your console or PC.
- Check whether the listing states the Back to Karkand content is included, and whether a code is present.
- Look at the condition and whether the original packaging and materials are included.
- If the code is missing or unverified, compare the price of a used copy with buying the separate add-on from EA.
Do not assume a used Limited Edition copy includes working expansion content unless the listing says so.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
