"player's choice" games, are they worth less to collectors?

[Spoiler Duck]

Well, the answer is already in your question - collectors usually want the game in its best possible condition with all original artwork, extra goodies et al intact. Those purchases probably aren't for playing, as repeated use might damage them.

If you want a game simply for playing, it's not going to matter. Many do both - buy the super shiny version for cabinet displays and then a cheap version for playing. It's all down to your priorities as a purchaser.

I personally will buy the cheapest version available unless it is a game that is special to me and likely to be treasured for the rest of my life, in which case I'll try and locate an original copy.

[corn619]

I heard in some of these Player Choice and Greatest Hits games the original code has altered or changed in someplaces. This is what I have read in some articles, and it makes sense. Look at roms for example, some of them are 1.0 and 1.1 versions. So you can see how collectors want the original version, I try to get the black label version when I can. Look at Devil May Cry 3, the red label version is different than the black label, but the red label is better.

[Spoiler Duck]

Look at Devil May Cry 3, the red label version is different than the black label, but the red label is better.

See, there's a point of interest. In Europe those re-releases get their own black label version, so collectors are happy. Then again, European boxart tends to be a lot nicer aesthetically (at least in my opinion) to begin with. Case in point - the Final Fantasy boxart is just the game logo against a white background, like with the Japanese originals. The American releases tend to be god awful CG art with the logo splashed over the top.

[corn619]

Look at Devil May Cry 3, the red label version is different than the black label, but the red label is better.

The American releases tend to be god awful CG art with the logo splashed over the top.

Us americans love are horrible overly done cover art. Its a crowded shelf at the game store, you need to stick out of the pack. It does tend to be vastly inferior when compared EU and JP though.