Seeing Double
Gaming is addictive. We know this. We all have a favourite game or game series. Some of my favourites date back to the 80’s. Which is a long time ago, but my question is how do you play these games from the 80s? You could use original hardware, emulate it, or buy the re-release. Just like I have done for several gaming generations now, and here are some of the games I have bought constantly.
Mario
Let's start off with one of the most iconic games of all time. The amount of times I have bought the games this man has starred in is crazy! The original Super Mario bros, I think I own like 4 maybe five different versions of this game. SNES, GB, NES Mini, Nintendo online, I know there is one I'm missing, but I have so many different ways to play this game. Which is why it’s nuts I didn't actually finish it till 30 years after its original release date.
Now let's talk about another favourite of mine, Super Mario 64. I only have this 3 times, but sometimes i feel like a fool for always rebuying it. I have the original, DS and Switch. Only in one version have I gotten all 120 stars, but when it's a game from childhood, is there such a thing as having it too much?
Sonic
Okay, this time around i don't know how this happens, i do, but so dont judge me. As we know Sonic has had some wild ups and downs with his games. But as the “true fans” know, his original 4 games are the best. That is why, I own these games so many times. Let's see if I can count them.
Sonic The Hedgehog: MG, IOs, Fire, 360, PS5
Sonic 2 MG, ios, Fire, 360, PS5
Sonic 3 360, PS5
Sonic & Knuckles 360, PS5
I think thats all of them, I maybe have them else were on a different thing, but I think that covers it. I wish I could just say that’s it, but what about Sonic Adventure? I own both these games a couple times, mostly so I can play them. But what is odd they always seem to follow each other. I have the first on Dreamcast, Adventure 2 on NGC. Then both on Xbox One, and 1 on 360 in a collection. The thing that is weirder, I am in the minority who likes Adventure 2 better than 1. So why have I got 1 more time then? I don't know.
Pikmin
This is a game series that I only got into thanks to its releases. That is why it's no surprise I own 3 of its 4 games twice. This is one of those games that the release really lived up to its purpose. Not many people had a GameCube, but everyone had a Wii so why not tap into that marker to get new fans, and that's what happened here, when I got my original Wii copies. That's why when the 3 came out I got it right away then nothing for years. Then when the switch was a success, Nintendo thought, let's do the same again. Which did work in my case as it did have new features, and the DLC I didn't get. We also had the creator telling us, “if we don’t buy it we would get any more games.” Good work Nintendo, that's why I own the game twice. It’s the same logic I had when I got the first two games on Switch. As I knew, more sales equals more games. Maybe one day I'll own the original GameCube ones so I have a trifecta of the first two games.
Street Fighter
I almost got out of here without mentioning the game that started all of this pretty much. if you didn't know there are so many different versions of Street Fighter 2. And I own so many different versions of this game. Now would it be incorrect to call each version of this game the same game? I mean in modern times we would just call them updates. I am going to class all these games called street fighter 2. As such I own this game 4 times. Two SNES versions, Switch and SNES classic.
Unlike all the other games I mentioned, every version I own is different. The two SNES are the ones with no boss characters, one with turbo, and the switch version is the ultimate version. so it's good to be able to balance out the different rosters and different elements of game play. (Editor FabEs here, I just bought another version, Street Fighter 2, in the collection.)
Mortal Kombat.
Every time I think this post is going to end I think of a silly idea I have done. MK is my favourite fighting game series. The classic three titles I own so many times it's a true wonder. Especially since when I was younger I only owned the original. Now I own them all multiple times
MK MD, PS3
MK2, MD, PS3, PSP,
MK3, MD PS3, DS
What's even more, when I was redecorating I was thinking where could I fit an MK Arcade 1Up cabinet? Turns out there is nowhere to put it. Which is for the best as I have all three many times over.
Tomb Raider
Okay let's cap this off with the game series I have bought so many times, I didn't even realise I was doing it. I mean I love this series, and I am glad it is going back to its roots, but boy have I not completed all the games in the series, but i do own a lot of copies of these games. As such let's go through it game by game.
TR1 PS1, PC, PS5
TR2 PS1, PC, PS5, iOS
TR3 PS1, PC, PS5
TRLR PS1, DC, PC
TRC, PS1, PC,
TAD PS2, PC
TRL PS2, 360
TRA Ps2, 360
TRU PS3, 360
TR13, 360, PS4
RTR XB1, PS4
As you can see I have gotten so many of these games so many times, it's just nuts. Why have I? It’s the intention to play them being the main motivator. Or in the case of the 360 era I wanted the next gen graphics. What's even crazier, if/when the trilogy is released as a physical version, I am most likely going to pick up. To have a physical version, and also to add another version Tomb Raider to my collection. (Editor FabEs again, I have pre-ordered the premium version.)
What do you think? Do you think I am crazy? or am I just a gamer? If you're a book or music person, do you own a book every time the cover changes? Or if you’re a music person, do you own the CD, Vinyl, Tape and digital? Let me know. If you’re a gamer, which game(s) do you own many times over. As for me, I think it's time I try and complete one of the versions of Tomb Raider 3 I have.
