Turns out that you don't have to purchase a GameCube to get the Zelda Collector's Edition disc after all.
Nintendo Australia has announced that existing GameCube owners will be able to get their own free copy of the Legend of Zelda Collector's Edition bonus disc. The offer closes on the 31st of May, 2004, and is as follows:
Current and New Members of the Nintendo website will be eligible to receive The Legend of Zelda Collector’s Edition disc as a gift. They must complete the following: Purchase two of the games listed below before Monday 31st May, 2004 and visit www.nintendo.com.au for instructions on how to redeem the offer.
Mario Golf™: Toadstool Tour
Kirby™ Air Ride
Pokémon® Channel
1080°® Avalanche
Final Fantasy® Crystal Chronicles™
Metal Gear Solid®: The Twin Snakes
Tak & The Power of JuJu™
I've taken a look at the order form, and here's what NAL want you to do:
1) Buy two games from the above list. Okay, fair enough.
2) Cut out the original barcode from the games (photocopies not accepted). ..Pardon?
3) Attatch the barcodes and your receipt/s to the form.
4) Fill in the form and mail it to Nintendo.
Now, I don't know about everyone else, but this sounds terrible to me. I like to keep the boxes (I even take off the price labels because I'm picky) and chopping your game boxes to bits doesn't sound right to me. I understand that Nintendo needs proof of the purchase, but surely the receipt would be enough proof of that? Why do we need to hack the box to bits as well?
Ah well. At least it's possible for us to get the disc now without having to resort to importing or ludicrously inflated Ebay prices.