Different Versions of MechWarrior 2 - READ BEFORE BUYING!!!

[Sir MMPD Radick]

The purpose of this thread is to provide a listing of many of the versions and the pro's and con's as well as to give a picture.
It is alot easier to purchase the right version when you have pictures.

Last Count Updated: 11-30-08
At last count there is about 36 known versions of MechWarrior 2: 31st Century.

The criteria for Avoid and Absolute avoid is the follows:
If it lacks all music tracks it immediately gets placed in the absolute avoid list.
If it is missing features it makes the avoid list.
If the content can be contained by patching, it makes the rip-off list.

Singleplayer Only will be defined as a 95 game without dos on it. It may contain multiplayer, but since it is not popular online or playable in a general sense it will be relegated to an offline only stance.
Also note that if Mercenaries or MechWarrior 2 are located in the single player section it means that it is not recommended.
Unless otherwise noted with the enhanced versions, they do not work without the original hardware.

Semi Functional on 2000 and above.

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries D3D Edition

Nickname: D3D Nightmare Edition
If you install Mercenaries 95 and patch to 1.1, it will be just as good if not better.
Also, the DOS on the disc is flawed, and the 95 install is not functional for most people, but it can work if you mess around with it enough.
DO NOT BUY THIS OR SIMILAR VERSIONS!!!

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MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries Direct 3D Video And 3D Positional Sound Edition

If you install Mercenaries 95 and patch to 1.1, it will be just as good if not better; however, the redeeming feature is it has Mercs DOS on it also it has positional sound. I have never seen a version other than this one to feature that.

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Absolute Avoid Rip-off List:

Softkey/AOL Version

Cons:
This version lacks all music tracks, and is made as promotion for AOL.
The fact that it was made for AOL should give all indication of what to expect.

Pro:
It has Mech2 95 & Mech2 DOS on the disc.
Mech2 DOS is prepatched to 1.1.

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Softkey/AOL

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Mercenaries - Action Hall of Fame

This version is here instead of the avoid list; because, it was falsely advertized.
There is no version of Mercenaries DOS on the disc. Only multiplayer for mercs dos is on the disc.
It is Titanium in disguise.

Pros:
This version looks great.
It is 16bit.

Cons:
It is missing some music tracks.
It has different damage than the origional.
It is not popular online for multiplayer.
It lacks a completed wireframe.
False Advertizing, Mercs DOS IS NOT ON THE DISC!

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Avoid List:

MechWarrior 2: Titanium in General.

Pros:
This version looks great.
It is 16bit.

Cons:
It is missing some music tracks.
It has different damage than the origional.
It is not popular online for multiplayer.
It lacks a completed wireframe.

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Battlepack Series:

Pros:
It looks better than the origional.
Wireframe is complete.
It comes with netmech DOS.

Cons:
It is 8bit.
It is missing some music tracks.
There is no mech2 DOS, so you may not customize your mechs for multiplayer.
The 95 netmech it comes with is not popular online.

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Rip-Off:

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries 3dfx Edition

For this one, I am sure to get an arguement not to include it on the rip-off list, but I need to.
This version is pretty much identical to the 1.08 patch for Mercenaries 95.
If you install Mercenaries 95 and patch to 1.1, it will be just as good if not better.

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Netmech DOS - Online Only

I really did not want to add this, but it fits the criteria.
This is a ripoff; because, it has always been free online from activision.

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Singleplayer Only:

MechWarrior 2 95 Pentium - Retail - Works with patch

Pros:
It looks great.
Damage and heat is the same as the origional.

Cons:
Not playable online without kali.

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MechWarrior 2 Voodoo Versions - Works with emulation

Pros
Looks relatively good.
Can be emulated w/relatively high end system.
The damage is the same as the origional
The AI seems to be smarter in some ways though that may be a perception.

Cons
The hitboxes are innacurate
DFAing is even more difficult than the origional.
You cannot play online without kali.

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MechWarrior 2 S3 Virge

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STB Velocity

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Matrox Mystique

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ATI 3d Rage Edition

Pros:
It looks great.
Damage is the same as the origional.

Cons:
Not emulatable, therefore you must have the origional hardware or an ATI card with the capability to run ATI Rage software.
Not playable online without kali.

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MW2: 3D Accelerated for the 6500 - MAC

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Ghost Bears Legacy - DOS - Works

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Arcade Versions

MW2: Playstation 1

Pros:
It is mech2 on the console

Cons:
It feels nothing like Mech2.

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MW2: Sega Saturn

Pros:
It is mech2 on the console

Cons:
It feels nothing like Mech2.

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Online/Offline Versions

Mech2: Retail Netmech Edition (Best Version)

Pros:
It has both 95 and DOS on the same disc.
95 is basically identical to DOS except for the shell

Cons:
95 cannot be played online without kali.

Retail MechWarrior 2 - Netmech Edition

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Mech2: Non-Retail Pentium Edition (2nd Best Version)

Pros:
It has both 95 and DOS on the same disc.
95 is basically identical to DOS except for the shell

Cons:
95 cannot be played online without kali.

2nd Best Version of Mech2

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Mech2: Essential Collection (UK)(3rd Best Version)

It has both 95 and DOS on the same disc.
95 is basically identical to DOS except for the shell

Cons:
95 cannot be played online without kali.

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Mech2: IBM CD-ROM 1.0

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Mech2: IBM CD-ROM 1.1

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Mech2: Sidewinder 3D Pro Version - DOS

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Mercs: Retail 1.05 95/DOS (Not Played, but still possible to play online)

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Mercs: German 95/DOS (Not Played, but still possible to play online)

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