Platinum Hits/Greatest hits piss you off?

[FxMercenary]

I cant stand them, that god-awful red bar across the top of the game im looking for. GREATEST HITS!.... Screw You, if it is so great, just make more of them, dont put some hideous red bar across the top. It makes my collection look screwy, a nice black wall of "Playstation 2" then all the sudden the red eyesore.

Now, "Platinum Hits!" for 360! An ugly gray box, the beautiful cover art shrunk down to make way for some more gray with wavy white lines going all over. Way to make yourself stand out in my 360 collection, you ugly gray monster!

As soon as i started seeing the red stickers across the existing inventory of the old PS3 titles, i quickly grabbed them up. a week later, a blood red PS3 case on Resistance FOM. Like a game having its period, I ran for the exit in disgust.

Why I ask? Wouldnt adding a red dye to the case molding machine actually cost more money? I mean, clear is just clear, but now you have to buy some dye and mix it in!

Do Greatest Hits piss anyone else off? Or am I alone on this?

[Kitsune Sniper]

I don't mind greatest hits games unless the cover art has changed for the worse.

I'm actually trying to get ahold of two particular games in their GH versions just to complete the set, but I've had little luck finding them. :P

[roushimsx]

I'm not a fan of the package design on most of the different versions of GH/PC/PH, but there's been a few exceptions. The new PS3 Greatest Hits cases actually look pretty nice and I like how they minimized the "GH" bar across the top of the cover art. For some games, Ninja Gaiden Sigma in particular, the GH package actually looks better than the original releases.

The Platinum Hits and Best of Platinum Hits cover designs are fucking atrocious, bested only by substandard garbage like Konami's rerelease of Dawn of Sorrow. What the fuck was up with that one?

Player's Choice releases are pretty "meh", but I love it when they rerelease them later as "Best Seller" with that big ol' emblem on the lower left. I don't know why...maybe it's because it looks better when on a shelf or maybe because it kind of reminds me of the Million Seller label that I liked from the N64, but I don't find it all that bad (despite being obviously tacked on).

All the same, I'll pick up a rerelease over an original release more often than not. Sometimes it simply has a bunch of bugfixes and tweaks (like Jak X) and sometimes it has a bunch of exclusive, new content (like Silent Hill 2, Midnight Club 3, Virtua Fighter 4, etc). As long as it adds new stuff to the mix then I'm not too torn up about the ugly case design.


I'm actually trying to get ahold of two particular games in their GH versions just to complete the set, but I've had little luck finding them. :P

What are you looking for?

[FxMercenary]

Thank You, I am glad im not alone on this one guys.

Im looking for Forza 2 and Oblivion for 360 But they are so hard to find newish.

[studvicious]

If you swap out the red PS3 GH case with a clear one you'd barely even know that it was a GH title. Sony got it right this time.

[sebastiankirchoff]

I don't mind the GH bar, unless its fugly like the Platinum Hits ones. I will typically buy non-GH games, but I don't mind buying GH if it is a last resort.

[ScourDX]

It isn't as bad. In Asian market, their greatest hit is highly sought after and cost more than the original. The worst cover I've encounter would be the Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. I was wondering what is the point of putting DS cover within DS cover.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9421/konamibest.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Haoie]

Green bars for PS1.

[Maxx]

Orange on Dreamcast.

[Kitsune Sniper]

What are you looking for?

One's Tekken Tag Tournament. I don't remember what the other one was. Probably God of War II.

I mean used copies, I don't wanna pay $20 for them. :p

[PapaStu]

It isn't as bad. In Asian market, their greatest hit is highly sought after and cost more than the original. The worst cover I've encounter would be the Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. I was wondering what is the point of putting DS cover within DS cover.


I think they just recycled their Japanese 'Konami's The Best' cover. Just cause its stupid doesn't mean that you can't be the graphic artist for a game company who's work will be seen by millions and seriously mold a persons opinion on the game.

[eskobar]

Lately, GH editions include more options and they are worth the price they ask it for. One of the best GH i have bought is the Ps2 Silent Hill 2, Konami included the previously "xbox-only" Maria chapter.

They are usually ugly, but i actually prefer that re-pressed games are marked in some way to avoid confusion with the originals.

[heybtbm]

This topic has come up on this forum several times before. Just do a search for "Greatest Hits". It seems most people hate them...or at least prefer to buy the non-greatest hits (regular) packaging.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Lately, GH editions include more options and they are worth the price they ask it for. One of the best GH i have bought is the Ps2 Silent Hill 2, Konami included the previously "xbox-only" Maria chapter.

They are usually ugly, but i actually prefer that re-pressed games are marked in some way to avoid confusion with the originals.

Don't forget about Virtua Fighter 4. The Greatest Hits version was an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT GAME.

[carlcarlson]

Hate them. A lot. The worst are the green GH on the original Playstation. Those seem to be the most prevalent too.


Thank You, I am glad im not alone on this one guys.

Im looking for Forza 2 and Oblivion for 360 But they are so hard to find newish.

PM sent about these two games.

[Therealqtip]

Orange on Dreamcast.

huh never seen that.

[The 1 2 P]

I prefer the original release. However, sometimes greatest hits versions of PS2 titles did add extra content(VF4). As for Silent Hill 2, getting the Xbox version would alliviate the need for the PS2 gh version. But theres also many cases where the regular edition has more content like Resident Evil code Veronica X(DMC demo). Beyond that the original releases are more likely to have color manuals and disc while the rereleases are more likely to have black and white manuals and generic disc art.

If I have no other choice than I'd get the gh/ph/pc version. However, for collectible titles on the PS1 like Castlevania: SOTN and Silent Hill, I tend to collect both covers.

[DigitalSpace]

As heybtbm pointed out, this has been discussed quite a bit over the years. GH versions don't bother me as long as the case and disc(s) match when I buy a used copy (with the exception of that Castlevania: DoS, which makes me glad that I have the original release).


huh never seen that.

Here's an example:

http://i41.tinypic.com/2cgoo5f.jpg



All the same, I'll pick up a rerelease over an original release more often than not. Sometimes it simply has a bunch of bugfixes and tweaks (like Jak X)

Hmm, looks like I'll have to make sure to get that version. Another example is Gran Turismo 2. The non-GH version is pretty buggy and I'm sure I've posted the story before of how my old copy once froze my PS2 while in the process of saving the game, corrupting the save file. After my brother borrowed that copy and lost it, I made sure to replace it with the GH version.

[joshnickerson]

As I was working on my Gamecube collection, I decided that I would only collect the black label versions... at about Game #250, I decided, "Screw it", and I stopped caring since.

[kaedesdisciple]

Meh, I don't really mind them too much. I still have the game, as long as the packaging isn't outright damaged then I'm happy. Hell, I prefer my Marvel Ultimate Alliance PH, it's got the extra content right there on the disc!

[c0ldb33r]

I think that this topic has been covered a few times in the past, but I digress.

I typically don't like greatest hits versions because they're ugly. The only exception to this are gamecube greatest hits - I think the yellow bars are pretty sharp looking.

HOWEVER, the Metroid Prime greatest hits pisses me off. They fixed some bugs, which in theory is a good thing, but they fixed bugs that allowed you to bypass certain areas and obtain items out of order. That's a real pissoff :(

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

they don't bother me. only ones i'm not partial to are the 360 ones, b/c they shrink the cover art. but if it's a choice between no 360 game or a gh360 game, i'll get the gh version.

[walrusmonger]

I have said this before, and I'll say it again-

No reason to hate on the GH/PC/PH boxes- if you want the original case and artwork just buy the game the first year or so that it's out and support the company. If you wait, there is nothing to complain about-

[G-Boobie]

I have said this before, and I'll say it again-

No reason to hate on the GH/PC/PH boxes- if you want the original case and artwork just buy the game the first year or so that it's out and support the company. If you wait, there is nothing to complain about-

True.

I understand the frustration from a collectors point of view, but I myself buy games to play them. Collecting them is a side effect, so I don't really care what the box looks like.

[Poofta!]

we've done this topic a couple times on these forums. the general consensus is that it is looked down upon by collectors, with gamers generally not caring.

personally i hate them. they look off and usually the packaging is lame. why not just use old packaging with a sticker on the shrinkwrap? oh well.

i believe i only own 1 of these games, that thats Midnight Club 3 for the xbox, since the PH version is vastly superior.

btw, marvel ultimate alliance gold edition had a non PH release with all the same bonuses etc. i have it.

[Therealqtip]

It makes the "normal" games rarer, gives collector's a good pat on the back when you find a FF7 non gh.

[kainemaxwell]

Green bars for PS1.

To me those look worse out of all of them, a red bar I can live with, but not the bright neon green staring me in the face amidst a sea of black labels.

[TheGam3r]

I find the PS3 greatest hits cases make the games look more badass & violent looking (eg. Dead Space & Resident Evil 5)

[Haoie]

I'll add that in a very few rare circumstances, the Platinum version is different [usually minor] from the original.

Bug fixes, and what not.

[jupitersj]

I have seen some re-releases that just use a sticker over the original factory seal-wrap like Xenosaga to make it look like a red GH game...wish they'd just do that for everything.

Oddly I collect Ratchet and Clank games as GH games as all my copies are red :confused:

[sidnotcrazy]

Well, if I could buy the regular version, or the "Greatest Hits" version for the same price I would prefer the regular version. But, by no means does these make me angry, or upset. Matter-O-Facto I will buy a lot of greatest hits games because I didn't want to take a chance on them when they were full price. Esp the Playstation 3 games. I know I am not only in this...at least I don't think I am.

[chrisbid]

To me those look worse out of all of them, a red bar I can live with, but not the bright neon green staring me in the face amidst a sea of black labels.

so keep the GH game seperate from the rest of the collection

really, does it look that much worse than a special edition box that doesnt match the rest of a collection?

its the same with 2600 and NES carts, collections look real slick when like-packaged carts/boxes are kept together.

that way, GH games look pretty good when there are more than a few

[Buns34]

I just bought the 2 disc Mass Effect Platinum Hits version, and i actually like the grey case. So i stuck the original cover and disc in it. I prefer the grey cases over the neon green ones.

[makaar]

The absolute only time I buy a greatest hits version of anything is when it has extra content like Virtua Fighter 4, Fable: Lost Chapters (xbox), or Devil May Cry 3: Special Ed (ps2)...or if its a game that isn't rare either way. So I definitely understand the lack-of love for green, orange, silver, red labels...

[Flippy8490]

I dont really mind them all that much, because they usually improve the game by fixing bugs/adding content/dropping price :D which is always a big thumbs-up wiht me. but yes, the Xbox 360 gray boxes are irritating.

[kainemaxwell]

Here's an example:
http://i41.tinypic.com/2cgoo5f.jpg
Damn, I forgot how ugly that is.


Don't forget about Virtua Fighter 4. The Greatest Hits version was an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT GAME.
How so?

Lucky for me, I have Xenogears, and the Final Fantasy PSX titles all non-GH.

[MarioMania]

I don't like the Red GH on the PS2, Yellow on the Gamecube & Green on the Xbox

Does anyone have pics of the Non PC version of Sonic Mega Collection..Is the Disk Blue, Mine is Yellow

[CDiablo]

You are not alone, I HATE HATE HATE HATE them. I have like 60 GC games and like 2 bastard GH editions with their snoody yellow spine labels. The PS3 ones are pretty horrendous as well, I had to search all over Albany NY to find a genuine copy on Ninja Gaiden Sigma so my PS3 games didnt fall into the GH trap. I can barely bring myself to buy current and previous(PS2/XBOX180/GC) gen games used, making finding games quite hard.

[heybtbm]

It appears Microsoft has revised their Platinum Hits packaging...

http://kotaku.com/5215024/microsoft-introduces-new-xbox-360-platinum-hits-packaging-that-actually-looks-good

[kupomogli]

I'm in there with disliking the greatest hits games unless it's got a few extras.

I bought DMC3SE when it came out because of the extra content, but when the Devil May Cry 5th Anniversary boxset came out, I ended up buying it also just so I could replace my Greatest Hits version of Devil May Cry 3 SE. The GH box is replaced with an original box that says "not for resale" where the barcode is supposed to be on the back and you can actually see the full disc art instead of GH covering the top.

[c0ldb33r]

Those new 360 greatest hits actually look pretty great.

[Nionel]

Agreed, the new Platinum Hits boxes look a lot better, I actually wouldn't mind having those in my collection, too bad that Gears of War is probably the only game being sold with the new covers right now.

[DigitalSpace]

Not bad, but am I the only one who thinks it'd look better without that tacky "greatness is earned" band?

[Tron 2.0]

To me it's just a label beside i just wanna play the game.The other being it's saves me money so i got no problem with it.

[scooterb23]

I don't play the case. So it doesn't bother me.

[The 1 2 P]

Not bad, but am I the only one who thinks it'd look better without that tacky "greatness is earned" band?

I think they should have added to it saying: "Achievements are unlocked but greatness is earned". On second thought, that might be alittle cheesier.

[j_factor]

I have seen some re-releases that just use a sticker over the original factory seal-wrap like Xenosaga to make it look like a red GH game...wish they'd just do that for everything.

Yeah, I bought God of War right when it became a GH title, and it had a sticker. That should just be how GH games are done.

I've also noticed that the Japanese equivalents of Greatest Hits tend to be much more subdued.

[PSony]

I always get the black label version unless the game is only released as Greatest Hits (like Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution), or if the black label version is extremely rare/impossible to get (Ridge Racer jewel case version).

For imports I don't care because they don't look as bad as US budget releases, plus it's usually hard/expensive to find original versions.

[Gentlegamer]

Those new 360 greatest hits actually look pretty great.Yeah, I think I'd actually prefer that as the standard packaging.

[heybtbm]

Yeah, I think I'd actually prefer that as the standard packaging.

I agree. The neon green has always been hideous.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Unless the older game somehow plays better, I don't really care. In my mind, getting pissed about GH/Platinum cases, is about as senseless as collecting sealed games that you don't play. That's just my opinion though.

This topic sure comes up a lot.

[kupomogli]

For imports I don't care because they don't look as bad as US budget releases, plus it's usually hard/expensive to find original versions.

Most good import titles don't have a price drop for a couple years, so throwing down $60 for an import never bothered me(I've done it for quite a few games actually. Every game in the Gundam Battle series, Jump Ultimate Stars, A.C.E. 2, etc.)

Next import title on my list? Demon's Souls(Chinese version) for the PS3. I really wish it'd drop because I just spent a ton of money on some games recently.

[MattK]

They seem to get worse with each generation, moreso in the PAL territories than the US. The original PlayStation's platinum titles were fine - the black was replaced with silver and the disc became faceless - I could deal with that. First generation PlayStation 2 Platinums were really ugly, though the second generation ones look slightly better I can't stand the whole shrunk box art with big silver border thing. PlayStation 3 Platinums have been beaten with the ugly stick - what's with all of the yellow on top of the silver? If you want to see the worst it can get, look up the German Platinum version of Metal Gear Solid 4.

I liked the PS2 Greatest Hits and GC Player's Choice, although I'll probably never buy any (well, except that Pac-Man Vs. bundle). The red is simple, and relatively inoffensive compared to the Platinum. Microsoft appears to fixing the ugly Xbox 360 Classics with new ones that simply change the strip at the top of the box. It's too easy to find the original versions for the issue to matter much to me, though.

[Diosoth]

I don't see a reason the artwork needs to be changed. They basically have to tell people "look, this game's a popular seller! Buy it to be cool like everyone else!".

I'd be more content with a sticker on the case. Or GH designs that weren't godawful ugly.

Oh well, at least with the last-gen stuff, places such as Cover Project have high-res scans of the "normal" inserts that can be printed out.

[Hitman Tyler]

This Greatest Hits thing pisses me off also. To sum up my story if I go into Gamestop and ask if they have a game, and they tell me yes brand new. I am all happy until I see the Greatest Hits on the damn thing. Once I went into Gamestop and asked if they had the game it was about 2 years old they said Yes Brand New. I am happy they show me a Greatest Hits box and I said forget it, I don't want it. Then I am like like me see if they have it used they do and I buy that (non greatest hits). My Mom & Brother both think I am crazy, they both say it's the game right? I say it says Greatest Hits and they OMG.
If you look at my collection you find about 12 greatest hits games and those were from gifts.
Well thats my view on Greatest Hits items

[guitargary75]

I agree. I hate them.