So what was the deal with PS1 double disk jewel cases?

[backguard]

Why were they releasing so many single disc games in double disk jewel cases? Was it some sort of marketing ploy (like making giant cereal boxes but filling them half full)?

[riverdragon]

Were the manuals on some of those games particularly thick or something? That is all I can think of.

[DigitalSpace]

Were the manuals on some of those games particularly thick or something? That is all I can think of.

Yeah, it's because the manuals were too thick to fit into standard jewel cases.

[PixelSmasher]

Yeah, it's because the manuals were too thick to fit into standard jewel cases.

That's also why they released your mom in a double jewel case.



...

ZING!

[SpaceHarrier]

Were there alot of these single/doubles? The only one I have is Suikoden.

[PapaStu]

Mostly it was because of thick manuals, but some of them came with multiple manuals and or maps that made them unmanageable to be in a single case.

PixelSmasher, that was totally uncalled for. There was no reason for you to post that.


Were there alot of these single/doubles? The only one I have is Suikoden.

There were enough to be noticed. Gran Turismo, Syphon Filter 3, Brigandine, Elemental Gearbolt, Vanguard Bandits and a bunch more that arn't popping to the top of my head this very second that all got the treatment.

[VACRMH]

Vanguard Bandits

Vanguard Bandits had a Lunar 2 demo, just saying ;)

[PixelSmasher]

PixelSmasher, that was totally uncalled for. There was no reason for you to post that.

Lighten up, old man. Nobody takes "your mom" jokes seriously anymore. The joke itself was satire. :p

[dr101z]

Caesars Palace II from Interplay also had a single disc but double jewel case.

[Tommy]

I was wondering this myself. The few I can think of are Alundra, Tales of Destiny, and Suikoden. HMMMM, :bigmac:

[backguard]

I was wondering this myself. The few I can think of are Alundra, Tales of Destiny, and Suikoden. HMMMM, :bigmac:

the game that made me bring this up was contra: legacy of war. the dual case seemed really unnecessary.

[Superman]

I remember hearing that Sega Saturn games used the same cases as Sega CD because they had so many of them left over.

Maybe there was a similar reason for the PlayStation or game(s) for the system?

[PixelSmasher]

I remember hearing that Sega Saturn games used the same cases as Sega CD because they had so many of them left over.

Maybe there was a similar reason for the PlayStation or game(s) for the system?

I've heard that as well, and it wouldn't surprise me. So many left over that Sony even bought a surplus of their cases off them for some of the PSX1 titles.

I hadn't looked at a ton of my games for a few years and I forgot how freakin huge those cases were. I can see why PS1 collecting has so much appeal. Compact cases.

[DigitalSpace]

F1 World Grand Prix and F1 World Grand Prix 2000 were also single disc games released in double cases.


That's also why they released your mom in a double jewel case.

That was so funny I forgot to say "meh."

/me continues browsing porn

[gepeto]

I use to get paranoid when I came across these cases. I would have to look at the side of the case to see the number of discs included. Not sure if they listed bonus discs.

[Kitsune Sniper]

the game that made me bring this up was contra: legacy of war. the dual case seemed really unnecessary.

Didn't the game include a set of 3D glasses?

Also, another game that has a big case variant is Panzer General. I have one in that style (one disc, dual case - and it only has a holder for ONE disc!), but I've also seen a single disc case version and I think a longbox version exists as well.

[Graham Mitchell]

Didn't the game include a set of 3D glasses?



Yes, it did. They came all mashed up in the second-disc space. And the friggin' 3-D effect didn't work.

I remember that Beyond the Beyond came in this type of case as well. I remember waiting forever for that stupid game because it was the first big PSX RPG, and I was so disappointed with it. Shining the Holy Ark, released a few months earlier on the Saturn, obliterated it.

[Dangerboy]

Several reasons, all mentioned already.

There was another minor aspect to the double case; it meant something big.

Think back to the era the PS1 lived in - PC game boxes were still doing the huge ass boxes or the strange shaped boxes and all the other crazy shenanigans, where the retail space for console games were always uniform, same box shape repeated infinitely.

Then you get to the PSX wall and start to see specific cases jutting out, it draws your eyes right to it. Now you pick up the box, and especially if its an RPG, the mind automatically equates big box with "big" adventure, regardless of how many discs are in the case.

Oddly enough, this was pushed one further with Riven. Besides the double jewel case, they crammed 5 discs and a manual into it. When you lifted the case, you felt the true "weight" of the game.

Around Final Fantasy VII the double jewel case essentially become the "icon" for RPG games. Not all of them, but the majority of them.

[Haoie]

I'll add here that PAL manuals were often very thick.

Due to the need for multiple languages, you know.

[Kitsune Sniper]

I'll add here that PAL manuals were often very thick.

Due to the need for multiple languages, you know.

But PAL PS1 games had a very different CD case design, which I've also seen in Japanese PS1 games.

[coreys429]

Simcity 2000 is a double case with a single disc.

[Spartacus]

But PAL PS1 games had a very different CD case design, which I've also seen in Japanese PS1 games.

PAL single style CD cases appear to be identical in every way to thick style Japanese cases except that they have PLAYSTATION embossed on the front of the case in the black hinge area of the case body. The Japanese cases have the words PLAYSTATION embossed into both black sides of the front lid instead. That means that while the cases are similar for both regions, none of the parts are interchangable without screwing up the embossing arrangement. Both regions using this style case use an inlay insert for the cover art, instead of relying on the game manual to provide the cover art. Both Japanese and PAL double CD cases seem pretty much identical to ours, making them easier to repair or replace if they get an unsightly crack.




Oddly enough, this was pushed one further with Riven. Besides the double jewel case, they crammed 5 discs and a manual into it. When you lifted the case, you felt the true "weight" of the game.

I wonder if that is the largest number of discs for any single PlayStation game or for ANY single console game period, for that matter.

Also, were there many PlayStation games that managed to cram in two discs into a single style CD case? I purchased Strider for the PlayStation and was shocked to see two discs laying on top of each other and always wondered if that was the way it was actually sold. I have seen that done a few times with DVD style case games too and it never fails to irritate me whenever I see two discs rubbing up against each other.

[PixelSmasher]

... it never fails to irritate me whenever I see two discs rubbing up against each other.

Irritating? Try AROUSING! ;)

[InsaneDavid]

Also, were there many PlayStation games that managed to cram in two discs into a single style CD case? I purchased Strider for the PlayStation and was shocked to see two discs laying on top of each other and always wondered if that was the way it was actually sold. I have seen that done a few times with DVD style case games too and it never fails to irritate me whenever I see two discs rubbing up against each other.

I thought Strider 2 came in a double CD case, my copy is discs only so I'm not sure of that. However there were some games that had two discs in a single CD case (one of those deals where the CD tray folds out and the other disc is directly behind it), Dino Crisis with the Resident Evil 3 demo comes to mind.


Irritating? Try AROUSING! ;)

:shameful:

[Graham Mitchell]

Strider 2 came in one of those "magic cases" that are slim like a single-disc case but the disc tray flips out to reveal a second disc sitting behind it.

[koster]

Resident Evil 3 (with Dino Crisis demo) comes in a slim double CD case, as do my copies of Dracula: The Resurrection and Dracula: The Last Sanctuary.

Is there a comprehensive PS1 game listing noting the various jewel case variants (single CD in double-wide CD case, two CDs in slim double CD case, two or more CDs in double-wide CD case, etc)? Currently, I jump between here, Dangerboy's Playstation Perfect Guide, Mobygames, and Google in tracking down or double-checking that info for a particular game.

[Nebagram]

But PAL PS1 games had a very different CD case design, which I've also seen in Japanese PS1 games.

Didn't make them immune to this treatment though-Tempest X3 is a good example of this.

[rpepper9]

That's also why they released your mom in a double jewel case.



...

ZING!

WOW! that was funny. Way to make me laugh out loud on a crappy work day! Thanks.

[Mr. Smashy]

If we're making a list of PlayStation games that were single disc but came in double disc type jewel cases, add Persona, Ogre Battle, and Tactics Ogre.

[skaar]

Lighten up, old man. Nobody takes "your mom" jokes seriously anymore. The joke itself was satire. :p

Your mom is satire.

[mailman187666]

I use to get paranoid when I came across these cases. I would have to look at the side of the case to see the number of discs included. Not sure if they listed bonus discs.

I don't think they listed bonus disks because, I could be wrong, but I think some games were re-released as greatest hits without the bonus disk and only listed the disk of the actual game content.

[MrSparkle]

provided you with lots of extra mutliple cd jewel cases though ;)

[Kitsune Sniper]

I don't think they listed bonus disks because, I could be wrong, but I think some games were re-released as greatest hits without the bonus disk and only listed the disk of the actual game content.

Not always. It depends on the company, for example:

RE3 w/Dino Crisis demo lists 2 discs;
http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/resident-evil-3-nemesis/cover-art/gameCoverId,6251/

RE3 w/out Dino Crisis demo doesn't say how many discs it has.
http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/resident-evil-3-nemesis/cover-art/gameCoverId,83150/

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

Another single in a double case was Saiyuki Journey West. The cases that really bother me are the Dreamcast cases that are just slightly thicker than a single disk case and therefore won't fit in my CD rack. :mad:

JY

[RPG_Fanatic]

I think the first one was the RPG Beyond The Beyond. It came out before Suikoden.

[Fear The Turtle]

Legend of Legaia had a single disc/double case.

Also, I have a single cased Tales of Destiny.

[Rev. Link]

Wild Arms was also a single/double.

[TonyTheTiger]

Don't forget Vandal Hearts. Never forget Vandal Hearts.

[skaar]

Don't forget Vandal Hearts. Never forget Vandal Hearts.

That game is forever known around here as "The game of Beautiful Asses"

Seriously.

Also, when I bought my Alundra copy off someone on ebay it came with a joint stashed inside. I apparently cross-border smuggled drugs off ebay in 2000! I gave that puppy away.

Came with a free strategy guide that wasn't in the auction too. :D

[chrisbid]

backstreet billiards

[TonyTheTiger]

That game is forever known around here as "The game of Beautiful Asses"

Seriously.

So long as that translates to sexiness incarnate it's all good.