Firstly, I will mention I am referring to PAL versions of games in this thread - Unless otherwise stated.
A few things still puzzle me about the world of gaming and collecting...
Things like:
Why does GTA 2 have two differet covers - The original released one with a taxi cab being targeted, and then a second version which is almost identical to the first game's cover art but with a "2" in it... Is one considered rarer than the other? Why did they change the covers?
We all know the reason why The Getaway was withdrawn and rereleased though...
I have also noticed (Especially with DreamCast games) that certain companies like to release two versions of a particular game - A North European version and a South European version...
Most games are released in the UK with either a majority of main European languages, or just English. But some games are split between regions (As there was probably not enough space on one disc for all regional language variations)
North is usually the standard UK default - Which usually includes French and German (And occasionally Dutch) languages. South generally has Italian and Spanish (Sometimes Portugese)
Take Soldier Of Fortune on the Dreamcast for example - The North European (UK version) of the game has a BBFC "18" certificate on it, whereas the South European version does not...
If you are a collector, you really need to take these things into consideration when buying.
Especially with consoles like the Dreamcast - I have found that a lot of the DreamCast games which are still sealed and are floating around eBay tend to be from the South European region - Perhaps brought over by a wholesaler...
Also, all Nintendo games usually have coloured triangles on the corner of the game box and / or instruction manual... Green is designated for the UK, Pink is for Italy Etc...
I really hate it when you go into a game shop in the UK and all they have is these games with Pink triangles on... Evolution and Harvest Moon are two examples I can think of which are commonly found.
I also hate it when you go to a UK game shop, buy a GBA game, only to find they are pawning off American ones... If you complain, all they say "Yes, but it will work on all GBA systems..." - That is NOT the F***ING POINT, MUPPET!
Anyone got any other abnormalities they know of? English or American?
I know there is a probolem with Canadian variations occasionally leaking through American borders, but I doub't it's as bad as the problem we have here with certain European games which may be all in French, or something else...