Quote Originally Posted by TonyTheTiger View Post
It's a variant of the European version. Pretty simple, really. Just because there wasn't another Sonic release doesn't magically make this variant an American copy. That's where I think you're missing the point. You can't cherry pick and say that if MKII had two different UPC codes then they'd just be two American variants but if Sonic gets two UPC codes then one is European and the other is American based solely on the fact that there was no actual American release. That makes no sense.

Besides, if you're saying that the altered UPC code makes it a wholly different release, are you saying the opposite holds true, as well? That if two versions of the same game have the same UPC code then they are the same release? Because that seems to be the gist of your argument against Radiant Silvergun. The UPC codes are the same so it's the same title.
I wouldn't say it's a variant of the Euro release as much as it's a "localized" version of the Euro release for the US market. Fortunately for Sega, all they had to do to create a suitable product for the US was give it a US part number and obscure the Euro part number, which they did via a sticker. I've seen that technique used on other products, so why not this one?

Regarding your MK 2 example, I understood it that they were both released in the US, but with different UPC codes. This happens all the time in Greatest Hits releases, but people consider those to be variants of the main game. Are you saying that there has to be artwork changes in order for it to be a legit release? What percentage has to change? Does the program itself need to change? Where is the line drawn?

Again, there was no reason for Sega to put any sort of effort into showing intent to release this. The system was on it's way out and this was likely just a way to stretch the income from it a bit further with limited expense and effort. They likely had a stack of carts in a warehouse somewhere and decided to sell them here though some retail channel. With Radiant, it was likely more Gamestop that wanted to sell it here than ESP asking them to carry it. Big difference.