How do you feel about variants?

[noiseredux]

If you consider yourself a collector of a certain console, how do you feel about variants?

For this example, let's say your goal was to collect the Saturn's library...

(A) Nights Into Dreams was released both as a traditional longbox and as a pack-in with the 3D controller. The pack-in version is in a jewel case. Do you feel like you need both releases to have a "complete" collection?

(B) Daytona USA was released both as a stand-alone game and then re-released in the super elusive (and expensive) Net-Link edition which offered online gameplay. Do you feel like you need both releases to have a "complete" collection?

(C) There's a 3-Pack release of Daytona USA, Virtua Fighter 2 and Virtua Cop. Do you feel you need this 3-Pack and all three stand-alone longbox releases to have a "complete" collection?

...this thread is definitely aimed more at the collectors here. I personally have my own views on veriants, but I'm curious what others views are.

[ninjainspandex]

im still trying to find a copy of xmen vs street fighter with the back art...

[sevin0seven]

well if your a collector, of course you need all two or more of (almost) the same game version...if you were just playing it then you just need one of the copies.

[Breetai]

im still trying to find a copy of xmen vs street fighter with the back art...

It's not that hard... Just buy the variant that didn't come with the 4MB RAM cart.

As for variants, I don't really care. If I own one variant of a game, then that's good enough for me. One exception is that I'm not a fan of combo carts/discs in most cases (with a few exceptions, like the Konami Deluxe Packs on the Saturn/PS1). I prefer to have SMB and DH, instead of the combo cart, as an example.

[incominggame]

I'd say variants are a good addition to a collection. I consider it a grey area if they are necessary to have a complete collection. I personnaly wouldn't but I see why other people would. I feel like some titles have way too many variations and having all of them sure is impressive, but it just isn't something I would be interested in having. Just look at zelda (nes). That game apparently has 8 variants http://nintendoage.com/forum/messagevie ... adid=41227

I'm really far from getting a complete library on a particular console. but I could see myself looking for specific variants after getting near the full library. Stuff like longbox/jewel case and alternate coverart. But at this point, one copy is enough for me.

[elmagicochrisg]

Some PAL Dreamcast games have country variants too. Never cared about collecting all of them. Although I do have a mainland and UK version of The Nomad Soul. I liked both covers and couldn't decide which one to keep... lol

For comic books they are cool only if all variant covers together make one big picture...

[AppleQueso]

Kind a case by case thing for me.

Something like say, the two yellow and silver label versions of Metroid, or the gold and gray cart versions of the Zelda games I'd consider picking up, but something like say, round seal/oval seal variants I really don't care about at all.

[J T]

There's some little thing in the back of my brain that bugs me that I don't have the full set, but I don't actually care enough to buy the full set. I almost dislike variants for this reason because I have to convince myself not to buy something.

[theclaw]

I think the rarity of some variants is grossly under reported. Sometimes because the differences are kinds most users would never notice. Look at WWF No Mercy 1.1.

[cookie monster]

I find more inclined to buy versions of the same game for different systems rather than variants. The only variants i buy are n64 consoles.