Best Version of A Multi-Platform Game

[roushimsx]

Wasnt the SNES version censored and they changed the sword to something else? forgot what it was.

It wasn't censored so much as it was a totally different game from a totally different development team and a different publisher. Capcom's Aladdin on SNES was an overly easy kid's game (pretty much anyone over the age of 6 will beat it in one sitting without needing to continue) whereas Virgin's Aladdin on Genesis was a pretty damn impressive and well balanced platformer.

The same debacle happened with Spiderman 2. While the console versions from Treyarch were widely considered excellent games, the PC version from Fizz Factor was totally different and substantially worse.

[6502]

Resident Evil 4 = Gamecube
Metal Gear Solid 2 = PS2 although the Xbox version supports 480p, which is nice

Pretty simple really. Usually the best platform for a game is the one it was first developed for. There are exceptions of course. Like Shenmue 2. Unless you're really set on having the Japanese voices, I can't see how anyone would prefer the DC release over the Xbox (I own and have played both). The Xbox version runs at a steady framerate while the DC version chugs. The Xbox version's load times are much better than the DC. Those two differences alone are enough for me to prefer the Xbox version. I don't really care too much about the voice acting; while the Xbox version's isn't the best, the Japanese voice acting isn't that special either. The Xbox version also has some visual filters and snapshot mode, but neither of those are a big deal. The lighting may also be slightly better, I'm not sure of that one though since I haven't played them side-by-side.

The N64 version of Resident Evil 2 is cool if only for the fact that they managed to squeeze a game like RE2 into a cart. The cart is also noticeably heavier than other N64 carts too! It has some extras over the PSX original, but there's some drawbacks like grainier backgrounds/FMV and tinny sounding audio.

[MegaDrive20XX]

RE4, Cube.
Silent Hill 2, PS2
Silent Hill 4, Xbox (noticed the PS2 took a bit of a drop in framerate)
Resident Evil 2? N64
MGS2 Substance? PS2 no doubt
CastleVania Curse of Darkness? I'd say Xbox
Marvel Vs. Capcom 2? Dreamcast no doubt
SF3 3rd Strike. Xbox edition I'd say
CVS2, Dreamcast by far
Soul Calibur 2? I'd say the Cube, but the Xbox has better look to it, so more so a tie.
The Hobbit. Honestly, I've played the PS2, Xbox, and Cube version. Imho, the Xbox version looks and feels solid, Cube would be 2nd place, and PS2 3rd

[Spartacus]

Pretty simple really. Usually the best platform for a game is the one it was first developed for. There are exceptions of course.

Quite often I've noticed that when there's a substantial lapse between release dates, the latter ports often had problems addressed and/or extra content added. Not always, but often enough that I always read the review for the last port before any others to note any possible improvements.

Here are some of the differences I've read about in various ports of games on the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It's not meant to imply that one version is better than others. But if the variation tickles anyone's interest, I've provided the (source) where the difference can be placed into context of the full review.


4x4 EVO 2 - GC/Xbox
"Released as an Xbox launch title nearly a year ago, the port of 4x4 EVO 2 is making its appearance on the GameCube. This version features five new vehicles and four exclusive tracks that weren’t in the Xbox version."(Gamezone)

BlowOut - GC/PS2/Xbox
"Though the introductory cutscene in the Xbox version is different from, though less visually impressive than, the one featured in the PS2 version of BlowOut, there's really no difference between the two versions' graphics, to the point where they literally look identical when compared side by side. The Xbox version does support 480p displays, but it really doesn't look all that much better when using it." (Gamespot)

Dark Summit - GC/PS2/Xbox
"The new GameCube version of Dark Summit is essentially similar to the Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions that came before it. The GameCube version doesn't have quite as much slowdown as the others, though it still has its share of problems." (Gamespot)

Dead to Rights - GC/PS2/Xbox
"Dead to Rights was originally released earlier this summer exclusively for the Xbox, where its intense difficulty level polarized the game's audience, as some loved the relentless challenge, while others couldn't handle it. The big difference between that version and the new PlayStation 2 and GameCube versions is that, for better or worse, the designers must have taken all the criticism of the Xbox version's difficulty to heart. Now the default difficulty of has been greatly toned down, making Dead to Rights a whole lot more accessible and slightly less nerve-wracking, though no less action-packed."(Gamespot)

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down - PS2/Xbox
"The differences between the Xbox and PS2 versions are mostly superficial, with some variation in button layout on the controller, as well as on the heads-up display. The PS2 version, for example, doesn't use the D pad to let you crouch or go prone like on the Xbox version. The command is unintuitively mapped to one of the face buttons. However, the PS2 version does allow for quick grenades, while the Xbox version's weapon-switching is much clunkier. The HUD on the Xbox version is also less informative than that on the PS2 version, which actually sports a health bar. Finally, when you're playing the campaign on the PS2 edition, an RPG-like element is available that lets you upgrade your character's stats and unlock new weapons as you beat missions." (Gamespot)

ESPN Major League Baseball - PS2/Xbox
"It's worth mentioning from the outset that the PS2 version of ESPN Major League Baseball came out a month after the Xbox version did. Visual Concepts, the game's developer, used that time to iron out some of the bugs that were evident in the Xbox release. These bugs included such things as errors being ruled on slow throws to first, runs being awarded when runners crossed the plate during a two-out force play, and balls hitting fielders on the back and then bouncing into their gloves. These glitches don't occur in the PS2 game. The situation mode has been fixed as well. Now, when you set up a scenario in late innings, the CPU won't give out intentional walks by the handful or suddenly switch fielders on you while you're fielding the ball. Bottom line: If you have the choice, pick up the PS2 version." (Gamespot)

FIFA 2004 - GC/PS2/Xbox
"Despite being less visually impressive than the Xbox and GameCube versions of FIFA 2004 (which, incidentally, are the only two that offer progressive scan support), the PS2 version of the game is undoubtedly the pick of the bunch. Not only is it the only console version to offer online play, but the official PS2 controller is by far the best-suited one for the game's occasionally demanding controls." (Gamespot)

Lego Star Wars - GC/PS2/Xbox
"...there are few appreciable differences between the three versions of Lego Star Wars, though we did manage to find a few Xbox-exclusive bugs--nothing show-stopping, but enough that, given the preference, you should probably go with the PlayStation 2 version." (Gamespot)

Max Payne - PS2/Xbox
"Exclusively in the PS2 version of Max Payne, there's also an optional motion-blur effect, which makes the whole game look like a cutscene from Metal Gear Solid." (Gamespot)

MVP Baseball 2003 - PS2/Xbox
"Surprisingly, the PlayStation 2 version of the game looks a little better than the version that's available for the Xbox. The Xbox game uses the same textures that are used in the PS2 game, and they just don't look as crisp or vibrant when blown up to a higher resolution and blurred by antialiasing." (Gamespot)

NCAA Football 2005 - GC/PS2/Xbox
"The Xbox version in particular is also plagued by some noticeable technical problems."
"The GameCube version of the game also seems to have a bit of the same slowdown problem, but it only occurs during the close-up views in between plays. The PlayStation 2 version of the game seems to have dodged these issues, because we noticed no noticeable slowdown while in-game." (Gamespot)

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 - GC/PS2/Xbox
"You'd expect that the console versions of this game to be identical, but strangely enough, they're not. While the Xbox and GameCube iterations of Hot Pursuit II are in fact exact ports of one another, they're markedly different from their PlayStation 2 cousin, and in this case, "different" doesn't mean "better." In short, the Xbox and GameCube versions of Hot Pursuit II have slightly detuned graphics, mushier controls, and inexplicably, a variety of minute but tangible ommissions from the PlayStation 2 game."
"There are a little over 30 cars that you can unlock in the game--about a dozen less than the PS2 game."
(Gamespot)

Prince Persia Warior Within - GC/PS2/Xbox
"Some technical flaws in the Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions of the game also mar the experience somewhat. The Xbox version is prone to audio glitches. Certain sound effects get stuck, and, at other times, scenes that should have voice in them are cut off completely. This is a shame, because the sound effects in the game, aside from some ham-handed voice acting from the prince, are excellent and impactful. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 2 version's flaws are graphical. As a result, the game has a slightly choppier frame rate than the other versions. While it's not enough to hinder gameplay or combat, it does detract a bit from an otherwise beautiful-looking game. We didn't notice any sound or frame rate issues with the GameCube version of Warrior Within, however." (Gamespot)

Shadow the Hedgehog - GC/PS2/Xbox
"The three different versions of the game all look about the same, but the PlayStation 2 version suffers from some serious--and frequent--slowdown."
"If you're playing the PlayStation 2 version of the game, you can opt to turn on the Japanese voices, which sound much more interesting than the English ones. Oddly, the Xbox version of the game lets you listen to the Japanese voices only if you adjust your system settings, but if you do that, the subtitles will be in Japanese as well. Even stranger is the GameCube version of the game, which forces you to listen to English voices, but gives you the option of changing the language of the subtitles in case you're a real purist and prefer to read your games in Japanese." (Gamespot)

Starsky & Hutch - GC/PS2/Xbox
"Though there's no competitive multiplayer in Starsky & Hutch, two players can go through the game cooperatively, with one player driving and the other shooting. There's support for a steering wheel, and in the PS2 and Xbox versions, there's light gun support as well, further augmenting the arcade feel of the game. This option is less enjoyable on the Xbox because you're forced to use the shoddy Mad Catz Blaster--the only Xbox light gun currently on the market. Either way, though, the co-op play in Starsky & Hutch feels tacked on, and, ultimately, isn't as fully conceived or enjoyable as the single-player game." (Gamespot)

Rainbow Six: Lockdown - GC/PS2/Xbox
"Lockdown's campaign will take you through 14 missions (16 on the PS2 and GC) spread out all over the world."
"The Xbox version of Lockdown includes a heartbeat sensor gadget (the PS2 & GC version has a similar motion sensor device) that lets you see the position of live enemies (or hostages) behind walls.
There are some subtle differences between the two versions in the single-player campaign. The PS2 & GC interface makes the game even easier, as enemies and other items of interest are prominently called out to you with bright square reticles in the earlier levels. You won't find these in the Xbox version, so you'll need to rely more on tracer fire to track down enemies. You'll also find that certain portions of the levels in the PS2/GC version have been simplified, with fewer pieces of furniture in rooms or certain doors and areas taken out entirely. The effects of these changes end up being a lot more minor than they might sound on paper. The interface between the two is mostly the same--the viewpoint offers a slight curvature, as if you're peering through tactical goggles. Raindrops will bead up and slide down your view, and as you take damage, your view will crack bullet holes and go blurry, if you're playing the Xbox version, or you'll see a static distortion effect (like Metroid Prime) if you're playing the PS2 version. These are pretty neat effects, if rather nonsensical.
The PS2 version offers fewer competitive modes, including team deathmatch, the objective-based rivalry mode, and the CTF-like retrieval mode. The Xbox version of the game gives you two team deathmatch modes, retrieval mode, and conquest mode (in lieu of rivalry mode)." (Gamespot)

Silent Hill 2
"The Xbox SH2 doesn't stray very far from the version that appeared on the PlayStation 2, but the Restless Dreams bonus mission and graphical upgrades make it the ultimate Silent Hill experience to date." (IGN)
"With the added sub-title of Restless Dreams, the Xbox rendition of Silent Hill 2 is just an upgraded version of the PS2 game. Thankfully, it's better in virtually every way-technically at least. The graphics are sharper and more detailed, the sound is slightly better, and Konami has included a sub adventure concerning a central female character in the game." (Gamespy)

Splinter Cell - GC/PS2/Xbox
"There are enough little changes that hard-core Splinter Cell fans would do well to give the PS2 version a shot, if only to see the new power plant level, which is spliced into the middle of the game."
"Additionally, this version of Splinter Cell replaces the Xbox version's unimpressive in-engine cutscenes with better-looking prerendered cutscenes, and the completely redone intro does a better job of setting the stage."
"It's also worth noting that the simultaneously released GameCube version has most of the same qualities as the PS2 version but doesn't get the power plant level, yet it does have slightly sharper graphics, faster loading times, and some clever if gimmicky connectivity features with the Game Boy Advance. At any rate, if all you wanted to know was how the PS2 version of Splinter Cell stacks up to the others, now you're all set." (Gamespot)

Splinter Cell Chaos Theory - GC/PS2/Xbox
"The GameCube version of the game is sadly missing the innovative four-player competitive mode featured in Chaos Theory (and its predecessor) for the PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 2. And while that's the biggest omission, unfortunately it's just one of the numerous corners that have been cut to make Chaos Theory for the GameCube a mockery of its PC and Xbox counterparts. It's mostly similar to the half-baked PS2 version, but with no versus mode, clunkier controls, a useless Game Boy Advance connectivity feature, and a bunch of GameCube-exclusive glitches." (Gamespot)

Triple Play 2002 - PS2/Xbox
"Fielding and pitching are also very involving tasks because Triple Play 2002 takes full advantage of the PlayStation 2's analog buttons. The amount of strength a pitcher or fielder puts into throwing the ball is tied directly to the amount of pressure you apply to the button. Also, tapping the X button makes your fielder run faster so you can get to the ball more quickly. These pressure-sensitive actions make you play the game as it should be played and occasionally penalize you for not doing so. For instance, if the batter hits a grounder back to the pitcher, who picks up the ball, in this situation you'd want to casually press the button to make an easy throw for the easy out. However, if you press as hard as you can and send the ball rocketing off, there is a greater chance that the throw may be off or the first baseman may miss the catch." (Gamespot)

True Crime: New York City - GC/PS2/Xbox
"The graphics look about the same in each of the three console versions of the game. That is, they all look real bad. It isn't a matter of dull textures or blocky character models (which this game has plenty of); it's a matter of a frame rate that constantly hitches and snags. When we say constantly, we mean that the game will seize up for a fraction of a second every three or four seconds, especially while driving."
"Those types of odd glitches are everywhere in this game, along with some seriously crippling bugs. There are bugs that will make you randomly fall through the ground into a bunch of nothingness where you'll eventually die, bugs that make textures change when you get in and out of a car, bugs that cause you to inadvertently break a scripted sequence, thus making it impossible to complete a mission, and one huge bug in a later mission in the Xbox version of the game that makes it impossible to beat the game." (Gamespot)

The Urbz: Sims in the City - GC/PS2/Xbox
"... PS2 owners will also be able to use their EyeToy peripheral to take real-life photos of themselves to put on in-game posters when their urb becomes popular." (Gamespot)

Van Helsing - PS2/Xbox
"Van Helsing the game doesn't look particularly impressive, but it doesn't look bad. That's true of both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of the game, which look and play roughly identically, though the PS2 version of the game actually features slightly richer colors and higher contrast." (Gamespot)

Winning Eleven 8 - PS2/Xbox
"When you're not playing Winning Eleven 8 with friends (up to seven can simultaneously play on the PlayStation 2, while three can play on the Xbox)"
"Despite the fact that most of the differences between the two games favor the Xbox version, we'd definitely choose to play the PS2 version for its controls. It's not that the PS2 controller is inherently better than its Xbox counterpart, it's just that Winning Eleven 8 puts all four shoulder buttons to good use when you want to sidestep other players or when you want to alter your team's playing style on the fly. Accomplishing either of those things on the Xbox means using the poorly positioned (regardless of which official controller model you're using) black and white buttons." (Gamespot)

Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions - GC/PS2/Xbox
"Outside of the primary story mode, Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions has a two-player mode not found in the Xbox version. There are seven different two-player gameplay variants to be played in four different areas of the city, though all of them involve one player chasing another, just with slightly different scoring conditions"
"Also, for reasons unknown, the vehicles in Wreckless on the PS2/GameCube come equipped with a missile launcher. In an apparent attempt to counterbalance the cataclysmic effect of the missile launcher, Yakuza cars tend to be more resilient, and civilian vehicles are a lot tougher too, no longer blinking out of existence when you tip them over." (Gamespot)

[bangtango]

There's a copy of RE2 for N64 at a video store around the corner, selling for 5 bucks. I already have the Cube version..... for what reasons would I want the N64 version, if any?

It plays great. I may be in the minority but I like it better than the Dreamcast or PS1 versions. It has a few extras you won't find on the Playstation version. Besides, it is one of the titles you can throw out there when critics claim the only good N64 games were made by Nintendo or Rare. I just wish Capcom had ported the first Resident Evil, even if was several years late, since they were able to do such a good job with the second one which was a bigger game. Nonetheless, I always considered RE2 to be the best game of the first 3 so it was a good decision to put it on N64.

As for the Dreamcast version, I'm not putting it down but I assume most people around here who own it only have it for collecting purposes. As much as it can get on Ebay, why would anyway play that on DC when they can safely play a more common (and less expensive) version on another system? Personally, it is cool to have a version of Resident Evil 2 in cart format, as opposed to two whole discs like the Playstation one was. If you were to buy it on N64 from that video store for $5, you don't run the risk of getting a game that is scratched up and won't load

[Captain Wrong]

Great thread. I'm always interested in the difference between the ports. (See my recent Ikaruga thread. )

[Nature Boy]

For sports games I always go with the Xbox. A hard drive for game saves means no taking up 1/4 of a memory card simply for roster saves.

For Splinter Cell games, I'm an Xbox guy. The original was out on Xbox first (then ported to the others), and I simply like playing with the controller configuration I knew.

For Soul Calibur II, I'm a GC guy. As a massive Zelda fan I just couldn't turn down the opportunity to play Link.

For most other games I'm a PS2 guy, because I like the controller the best and because I can generally find the PS2 versions easier and cheaper than GC or Xbox versions. For example, I did want Star Wars: Bounty Hunter for the GC, as it's supposed to be the 'better version,' but I found a PS2 copy of it for a good price (and picked up the excellent Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter at the same time) so I decided the PS2 version was good enough.

Honestly I think it's kind of a fanbody decision in the end. I tend to lean towards the PS2 in general anyway, so it's kinda natural I buy more PS2 games. If you're totally console neutral then more power to ya...

[Zadoc]

Prince of Persia series - All versions play the same, Cube versionwas a bit glitchy and the PS2 was too jaggy, so Xbox is the obvious winner.

Mortal Kombat - Genesis. It does what Nintndon't, and in this case, that was blood.

Mortal Kombat II - 32X, far superior than the Genesis and SNES incarnations.

Backthorne - The 32X versions comes out on top of the SNES version with a better control layout and sharper graphics.

Road Rash - The 3DO version of Road Rash pretty much stomps all over the hastily ported Saturn and PSOne versions.

Thunder Force V - The Saturn version craps all over the one for Playstation.

Sonic 3D Blast - The Saturn version of this game really looked so far above and beyond the Genesis version, that I couldn't even play it on Genesis. It should also be noted that the amazing bonus levels on the Saturn version still represent some of the very best 3D Sonic gameplay, ever.

Dead or Alive 2 - The Dreamcast version comes out on top of the much jaggier PS2 port, despite added features.

[Ackman]

Seoul Carribur was like 20 times better on the Dreamcast than it was in the arcade, so much nicer looking too, and the extras and stuff, also much better rez etc

[dracula]

prince of persia 2 is best on the cube, the xbox version has some glaring sound/music skipping problems, the ps2 controller doesnt seem as suited to it(to me)

most if not all sports games look better and have faster loading times on xbox. Look at the tiger woods games for example. On the ps2, the loading times almost make the game unplayable. The xbox versions dont have that problem.

san andreas is easily better on the ps2. the xbox version has jaggies graphically, the ps2 controller has 4 shoulder buttons which make doing drive by's and handbrake turns(which are really inportant) much easier. also, i found the same to be true for vice city, the xbox versions were not BAD but I had already put 300 hours into the ps2 version and had the controller setup ingrained and the handling on the cars was too loose, the steering is much tighter for the ps2 versions of vice city and san andreas.

i actually liked the re4 ps2 version better than the cube, but really both are fantastic. that is one of my all time favorite games. Easily my favorite game of this generation.

[Damaramu]

Seoul Carribur was like 20 times better on the Dreamcast than it was in the arcade, so much nicer looking too, and the extras and stuff, also much better rez etc

Especially with the added kimchee mode. Best taken with soju.