GAME OF THRONES Home Date

Game of Thrones will be returning with its second season on HBO in April 2012 and you’ll have a chance to prepare for it by reliving the adventure of Season 1 all over again with the Blu-ray/DVD release of Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season.

It’s easy to forget sometimes that the awesome experience known as Game of Thrones plays out on the small screen instead of at theaters, and the illusion is maintained with what EW.com refers to as “the most anticipated DVD release for a TV series that’s aired this year.” The series might call a cable network its home but it looks like the Blu-ray/DVD presentation was given the big screen treatment in regards to everything from menu navigation to all the behind-the-scene extras that are included.

In a world that seems to be heavily pushing Blu-ray onto the media-watching masses, it sometimes seems that fans of the DVD are getting the shaft when it comes to special features. However, Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season, which arrives in stores on March 6, 2012, has plenty of goodies for those who haven’t made the Blu-ray switch.

Take a look at what you get:

• Both the DVD and Blu-ray versions include the first season’s 10 episodes, plus (descriptions are the official text):

• Complete Guide to Westeros
  “An interactive compendium of the noble houses and lands featured in season one.”

• Making Game of Thrones
  “An exclusive 30-minute feature including never-before-seen footage from the set and interviews from the cast and crew.”

• Character Profiles
  “Profiles of 15 major characters as described by the actors portraying them.”

• Creating the Show Open
  “An inside look at the creation of the Emmy-winning opening title sequence for Game of Thrones.”

• From the Book to the Screen
  “Executive producers David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, and author George R.R. Martin talk about the challenges of bringing Martin’s epic fantasy novel to life on HBO.”

• The Night’s Watch
  “An in-depth look at the unique order of men who patrol and protect the Wall, a 700 foot ice structure that separates the Seven Kingdoms from the darkness beyond.”

• Creating the Dothraki Language
  “An insightful glance into the comprehensive language created for the Dothraki people in Game of Thrones.”

• Audio Commentaries
  “Seven audio commentaries with Cast and Crew including David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, George R.R. Martin, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, and more.”

Of course, the Blu-ray does provide a few extra perks, which include all the above features plus:

• Blu-ray Complete Guide to Westeros
  “An interactive compendium of the noble houses and lands featured in season one, PLUS 24 exclusive histories of the Seven Kingdoms as told by the characters themselves.”

• In-Episode Guide
  “In-feature resource that provides background information about on-screen characters, locations, and relevant histories while each episode plays.”

• Anatomy of an Episode
  “An in-episode experience that explores the creative minds and colossal efforts behind episode six, ‘A Golden Crown.’”

• Hidden Dragon Eggs
  “Find the hidden dragon eggs to uncover even more never-before-seen content.”

Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season costs $79.98 for BD and $59.99 for standard-def DVD.