Difference between each version?

[Neon Knight]

When I click "launch" it has 3 options. I understand 2 are DOS and 1 is Windows but I don't know which one is which, the differences (if any besides the graphics in the Windows one), or which one is best.
Thanks.

[sir_derlin]

Classic is the original floppy release with both expansions. You can probably skip this version.
Special Edition is the original game on CDROM, slightly improved graphics, some extra Bonus Historical Missions, and some new easy mode altered missions.
Collector's Edition is the Special Edition mission set but using the XvT game engine, in 3D. (Ship behavior still matches X-Wing, so the missions all work out the same way.) This version looks the best, but you lose out on the interactive music the previous versions had. This version also requires a joystick.

Which is "best" is largely up to you. The gameplay and missions are essentially the same. It's mostly a question of whether you prefer nostaligia and classic music or 3D textured ships. Try a mission in each and see what you like.

[Neon Knight]

Originally posted by sir_derlin:

Classic is the original floppy release with both expansions. You can probably skip this version.
Special Edition is the original game on CDROM, slightly improved graphics, some extra Bonus Historical Missions, and some new easy mode altered missions.
Collector's Edition is the Special Edition mission set but using the XvT game engine, in 3D. (Ship behavior still matches X-Wing, so the missions all work out the same way.) This version looks the best, but you lose out on the interactive music the previous versions had. This version also requires a joystick.

Which is "best" is largely up to you. The gameplay and missions are essentially the same. It's mostly a question of whether you prefer nostaligia and classic music or 3D textured ships. Try a mission in each and see what you like.

Thank you.

[binakalgo]

I loved the cut scenes of techs preparing your ship before departing that the original and CD version had, they even gave you a portrait according of how your name was written.

But of course, the graphics are... well... even older than the collector edition.

[RatchetDaEndoskeleton]

Originally posted by sir_derlin:

Classic is the original floppy release with both expansions. You can probably skip this version.
Special Edition is the original game on CDROM, slightly improved graphics, some extra Bonus Historical Missions, and some new easy mode altered missions.
Collector's Edition is the Special Edition mission set but using the XvT game engine, in 3D. (Ship behavior still matches X-Wing, so the missions all work out the same way.) This version looks the best, but you lose out on the interactive music the previous versions had. This version also requires a joystick.

Which is "best" is largely up to you. The gameplay and missions are essentially the same. It's mostly a question of whether you prefer nostaligia and classic music or 3D textured ships. Try a mission in each and see what you like.

Idk why but for me Collector's Edition is about the same as the Classic version. No improved graphics or anything. Special Edition looks different but the controls are weird for me, I keep spinning in circles.

[*P0P$*FR3$H3NM3Y3R*]

Originally posted by Ratchet V.:

Originally posted by sir_derlin:

Classic is the original floppy release with both expansions. You can probably skip this version.
Special Edition is the original game on CDROM, slightly improved graphics, some extra Bonus Historical Missions, and some new easy mode altered missions.
Collector's Edition is the Special Edition mission set but using the XvT game engine, in 3D. (Ship behavior still matches X-Wing, so the missions all work out the same way.) This version looks the best, but you lose out on the interactive music the previous versions had. This version also requires a joystick.

Which is "best" is largely up to you. The gameplay and missions are essentially the same. It's mostly a question of whether you prefer nostaligia and classic music or 3D textured ships. Try a mission in each and see what you like.

Idk why but for me Collector's Edition is about the same as the Classic version. No improved graphics or anything. Special Edition looks different but the controls are weird for me, I keep spinning in circles.

Well the Floppy version originally had no gouraud shading (a slight shadow over the polygons) other than that its not much of a graphics difference.

But anyway...whats wrong with the controls in Special edition? The buttons seem the same and u can map more joystick keys than in the original.
IF none of them actually make you happy u will probably want to wait for XWVM.
A full port to Unity using the original files. It looks amazing as far as i seen but is still in development. For now this seems as close as we get to a proper remake.

[DKlimax]

Originally posted by Ratchet V.:

Originally posted by sir_derlin:

Classic is the original floppy release with both expansions. You can probably skip this version.
Special Edition is the original game on CDROM, slightly improved graphics, some extra Bonus Historical Missions, and some new easy mode altered missions.
Collector's Edition is the Special Edition mission set but using the XvT game engine, in 3D. (Ship behavior still matches X-Wing, so the missions all work out the same way.) This version looks the best, but you lose out on the interactive music the previous versions had. This version also requires a joystick.

Which is "best" is largely up to you. The gameplay and missions are essentially the same. It's mostly a question of whether you prefer nostaligia and classic music or 3D textured ships. Try a mission in each and see what you like.

Idk why but for me Collector's Edition is about the same as the Classic version. No improved graphics or anything. Special Edition looks different but the controls are weird for me, I keep spinning in circles.

IIRC that is caused by joystick being slightly off-axis or uncalibrated. Setting deadzone to larger value or recalibrating joystick might fix trhat.

Note: It was some years since last time I played with joystick.

[sir_derlin]

That's likely it. This game really benefits from a proper joystick, not the kind attached to a gamepad.

[gspectre]

The problem I have is that with the "Collector's Edition", my huge monitor just flashes the screens at me. A bit hard to play with a strobe effect. The older versions are fine but play in a DOS BOX (windowed), not full screen like the Collector's Edition.

Shame, I really wanted to try it but I think the problem is that there are no high res versions. I think I only saw 640x480 choices. Not even a choice to not play in full screen.

[*****]

For collector's edition, check out the posts on fixing 3D support, it might help with your issue as well.
For DOSBOX versions, just switch it to fullscreen (e.g. ALT+ENTER). Of course the resolution is still just upscaled 640x480, so not that nice to look at...

[gspectre]

Originally posted by *****:

For collector's edition, check out the posts on fixing 3D support, it might help with your issue as well.
For DOSBOX versions, just switch it to fullscreen (e.g. ALT+ENTER). Of course the resolution is still just upscaled 640x480, so not that nice to look at...

Thank you

[MithMan]

Originally posted by sir_derlin:

Classic is the original floppy release with both expansions. You can probably skip this version.
Special Edition is the original game on CDROM, slightly improved graphics, some extra Bonus Historical Missions, and some new easy mode altered missions.
Collector's Edition is the Special Edition mission set but using the XvT game engine, in 3D. (Ship behavior still matches X-Wing, so the missions all work out the same way.) This version looks the best, but you lose out on the interactive music the previous versions had. This version also requires a joystick.

Greatly appreciate the info, but you've mixed up the Special and Collectors edition. Special edition is the one with the XvT engine and inferior music. Collector's edition is the improved version of classic (and IMO the best version)

[gspectre]

I personally would just love it if LUCAS Games just remade all the X-Wing and TIE Fighter Sims, to take advantage of all the great new hardware.

[nidgereedo]

Originally posted by gspectre:

I personally would just love it if LUCAS Games just remade all the X-Wing and TIE Fighter Sims, to take advantage of all the great new hardware.

I know right. This is what would be best. The fans are remaking X-Wing with XWVM but it’s a long long way off.

[*P0P$*FR3$H3NM3Y3R*]

Originally posted by gspectre:

I personally would just love it if LUCAS Games just remade all the X-Wing and TIE Fighter Sims, to take advantage of all the great new hardware.

The problem with this is that Lucas Arts have been disbanded the same time when Disney took over the SW IP. Disney did a great move with actually bringing these titles into to digital distribution, after all these years. However, I doubt there is intention to actually come out with a SW space simulator, as it is such a niche genre. A direct remake would be absolutely great, but then again that is even less likely, than a entirely new game with all the new canon stuff.
After all the X-Wing series kinda exist in that original trilogy background entirely. (when SW was already old stuff and the new movies had not yet arrived)
I would certainly love to see Larry Holland make a new X-Wing game, but I think it is super unlikely, unfortunately.
Too bad XWVM is progressing so slow. How long has it been now..3-4 years at least :(