Superior versions

In this page, we show versions/ports of console games considered the superior or "definitive" versions, for those interested in emulating them.

Console versions of games superior to PC counterparts

While we live in a time where the PC versions are automatically regarded as the "definitive" ones because of the benefits the platform has over consoles, it was not always the case. This section will cover games that either received poor ports (where emulation is preferable), or got completely different versions compared to console titles of the same name.

Game	Best version	PC version issues
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas	PS2	Many missing effects, worse textures and different map geometry. Some problems can be fixed by using mods.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow	Xbox	Shadows, water and torchlight may not render correctly on modern PCs.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory	Xbox	It has StarForce 3.0 DRM, which is incompatible with Windows Vista or higher.
Metal Gear Solid	PlayStation	FMV's don't work on modern PCs, and misses blur effects.
Sonic Adventure	Dreamcast	Too many to list here.
Silent Hill 2	PS2	Missing some effects, fogs are lower quality. Some problems from the PC version can be patched using mods.
007 Nightfire	Xbox	Completely different game, developed by Gearbox. Some weapons appear in the console version but not the PC version, has fewer levels than the console versions and does not implement driving mode. Had a mixed reception compared to the console's counterpart.
Spider-Man 2	Xbox	Completely different game, developed by a different studio. It was "dumbed down" for a young audience and thus featured more simplistic and less challenging gameplay.
Toy Story 3	PS3	The Windows version is a port of the Wii version instead of the X360/PS3 versions, have fewer Toy Box options for gameplay and town customization, and lack a multiplayer option.
Rayman 2	Debatable between the Dreamcast and PS2 (named "Rayman Revolution") versions	The Windows version is a port of the N64 version, and is known to have issues running on modern Windows. The Dreamcast version has various changes from the Nintendo 64 and Microsoft Windows versions, including several 2D sprites being replaced by 3D models, improved texture quality and minor level design changes. The Dreamcast version also has exclusive mini-games, six hidden Glob Crystal collectables and replaces The Hall of Doors with The Isle of Doors for the world map. Michel Ancel (the Director) himself has previously stated that he believes that this version is the best version of the game. Rayman Revolution (the PS2 version) features many enhancements including new minigames and bonus challenges, upgrades to Rayman's abilities, level revisions, new music tracks, the option to switch between the gibberish from other versions and newly recorded real language voices, three new bosses, and Yellow Lum redistribution. The Hall of Doors was replaced with three central hubs, called The Minisaurus Plain, Globox's House and The Rainbow Creek, in which to walk to each level freely, play Ly's bonus challenges unlocked by freeing Revolution-exclusive prisoners called Familiar Spirits, and purchase ability upgrades or the new minigames from the Teensies with the Yellow Lums the player has collected. To date, Revolution is the only edition of Rayman 2 that lets players save when a level has been only partially completed, but like all versions of the game, it still uses manual saves. This is also the only version in which the 1,000th Yellow Lum can be obtained normally. However, despite the numerous improvements and enhancements to the gameplay, the frame rate is not as smooth as the near-constant 60fps of the Sega Dreamcast version, and certain graphical effects from that version, such as the blue ring trails that accompany a fully charged gold fist orb, are also gone. But it can reach 60fps through a hack on PCSX2.

Console-only games

Some games don't have PC versions, but they are multiplatform titles. This section will suggest the best versions of some of these games.

Game	Best version	Reason
Red Dead Redemption	Xbox 360	The PS3 version of Red Dead Redemption runs at a significantly lower resolution than the Xbox 360 version, uses simpler visual post-processing effects, have missing objects throughout the game, areas of grass are more patchy, shadows are simpler (and sometimes missing), and textures appear more basic and low resolution.
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex	Xbox	The Xbox version of the game features reduced loading times and improved graphics (extra effects).
Fatal Frame	Xbox	The Xbox has extra things added, such as a first person mode, a survival mode, a new ending and more costumes to unlock.

See also

• List of console exclusive games