One of the last of 2011’s major AAA releases hits local retail shelves this week Friday, and it’s not too late to pre-order. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the fifth instalment in Bethesda‘s iconic fantasy RPG franchise and is set for release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

In Skyrim players will have to defeat the Nordic dragon god Alduin, who according to prophesy is destined to destroy the world.

The game is set 200 years after the previous Elder Scrolls game, Oblivion, but takes place in the land of Skyrim, which has been ravaged by civil war since the assassination of the high king.

Like previous games in the Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim will be open-ended, and players are encouraged to explore the world as they please, and can even ignore or postpone the main quest if they choose.

If your heart is set on buying a Skyrim then you can pre-order it to ensure your copy on release day. Here is a roundup of the best local pre-order prices:

BTGames: PC R335, Console R499, free delivery or collect from store

Zapsgaming.co.za: PC R328, R498, free delivery or collect from store

Takealot.com: PC R329.95, Console R499.95, free delivery

Kalahari.com: PC R328, Console R498, free delivery

Exclus1ves.co.za: PC R350, Console R535, free delivery

Look & Listen: PC R399, Console R599, Collect from store

Steam: $59 (R472)

Among the local core games resellers pricing is relatively stable with the likes of Zaps, BTGames, Takealot and Kalahari all coming in at around the R330 and R500 mark for the PC and console versions respectively.

The Steam version is by far the most expensive option right now, which is probably a result of the relatively weak exchange rate.

Skyrim pre-order roundup << Comments and views