racketboy.com

Before I get into the point of this, I'd like to say one thing. I understand the value of HD remakes. And in fact I own a few of them myself. I'm glad that they exist as the benefits far outweigh the downsides, but recently I've had some gripes with them.


You see, when it comes to purchasing any game I always seek to have the "definitive" version. Or if none exists I will research it and have arguments with myself over the pro's and con's until I decide which version I want. You could say it border's on obsessive, and you'd probably be right.

So far the HD versions that I've bought have been of games I didn't already own. For example, the original PS2 version of Ico is quite expensive (Or at least was at the time I bought the HD collection - I haven't checked recently). So having not owned it it made perfect sense to buy it for PS3 when it became available. Likewise Zone of the Enders, while not exactly "rare," is still a bit inflated and I had never played either game. So ZoE HD was an easy purchase for me.

But recently the HD collections have caused me some problems when combined with the fact that I have such a large backlog. For example, I still have a never opened copy of Final Fantasy X-2 that I've yet to play. And today I find out that it will indeed be coupled with FFX in full HD and it will be the International version of both games, meaning extra content to boot. It's the same deal with Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, which I've yet to play but will soon be in HD along side KH Final Mix +.

You see my collector's mentality doesn't want those PS2 version I already own to become redundant. But at the same time I'm so tempted to get the HD versions so I can have the definitive experience. It's an internal conflict that I'm sure someone will make a first world problems joke out of, but nonetheless it annoys me.

So what's your take on it? I hope I'm not alone on this one.

Give in. Buy them again.


You have to.

HD schmHD. Definitive for me isn't always what's shiniest. I'll take my Ico PS2 please.

So you haven't bought the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection?

These things come in two categories in my mind:

Classic - Original release
Definitive - Best version

For example, Symphony of the Night on Playstation = classic. Symphony of the Night on Dracula X Chronicles = definitive. Resident Evil 4 on Gamecube = classic. HD version = definitive

Ideally, you should play the original game first to get the purist's perspective. Then play the improved, HD version. Realistically, as an adult with little free time on his hands, I say just play the best version. For FF X and X-2, that probably means the HD collections since they are more complete. Keep your PS2 originals sealed as a collectors item. They're probably worth more than the HD versions will be if kept un-opened.

As a collector, I love having both a classic original version of a game, and a definitive version if possible. Which one I play comes down to the best version. That's not always the newest one though. For example, if something gets a bad port or crappy emulation, than the original is still the best. It's all subjective though

That's how I approach things, as one obsessive to another

Gamerforlife wrote:These things come in two categories in my mind:

Classic - Original release
Definitive - Best version

For example, Symphony of the Night on Playstation = classic. Symphony of the Night on Dracula X Chronicles = definitive. Resident Evil 4 on Gamecube = classic. HD version = definitive

Ideally, you should play the original game first to get the purist's perspective. Then play the improved, HD version. Realistically, as an adult with little free time on his hands, I say just play the best version. For FF X and X-2, that probably means the HD collections since they are more complete. Keep your PS2 originals sealed as a collectors item. They're probably worth more than the HD versions will be if kept un-opened.

As a collector, I love having both a classic original version of a game, and a definitive version if possible. Which one I play comes down to the best version. That's not always the newest one though. For example, if something gets a bad port or crappy emulation, than the original is still the best. It's all subjective though

That's how I approach things, as one obsessive to another

<applause>

That was very well said.

Indeed, that's a very good way of putting it Gamerforlife. I suppose my collection obsession can be satiated if I try looking at it that way.

Time to go spend more money...

lwcook wrote:So you haven't bought the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection?

Oh yes, I have. DMC and Prince of Persia HD Collection's too. Just didn't give them all as examples.

And in case anyone ask's, I played MGS3 and 2, but not Peacewalker. And my copy of MGS2 was used and wasn't in the original case (A sin that had to be corrected). Owned DMC3, but not 1 or 2. And played the first PoP, but my copy had long ago been ruined and I never played the other two in the series.

I actually prefer to play the original versions to tell the truth. Even though the HD versions look better and may have more content the original versions are still great in their own ways. Mostly I am a sucker for wanting to experience the game how it was at release.

It's kind of like the Original Star Wars Trilogy and the remastered versions that came out a few years back. Sure the additional special effects and stuff look great, but in the process they altered a masterpiece just so it could look "better".

For me, "Convenience" takes precedence over "Definitive" versions.
And while HD Collections may indeed be more convenient for some...
I'd much rather copy my games to a Hard Drive and rock them OPL style on a Phat PS2.

Fast load times, change games without disc-swapping, etc., there's just too much value there.

I save my PS3 for the games I can't play elsewhere.

Plus, as far as the game collection goes, I just love having originals most of the time.

I just feel stupid sometimes for buying the title before the HD collection comes out. It's a minor annoyance however. Sometimes HD collections are goofed... like isn't the fog in the Silent Hill HD Collection supposedly botched? That stinks, if so.