Version differences
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Version differences
Updated 6 years ago by SuperSqank

There are many different versions for RAC 2 and there all vary a lot so here's the list:

PS2 NTSC-U Black Label- This is the fastest version for all categories since pretty much every trick works in this version. Black Label is the original release that is not Greatest Hits for anyone who doesn't know.

PS2 PAL- Any% has some slight changes such as different jump heights and a slower camera. Decoy clips are also slower due to the camera and clipping is generally harder as you have to set the decoys up differently compared to NTSC which makes clipping more annoying in a lot of areas. Also, the chargeboots route probably would be slower on PAL due to the slower chargeboots. Almost all exploits work in this version except for the Insomniac Museum Glitch which you can't do until Oozla and you have to death abuse to go to Boldan. For NG+ categories in general, PAL has slower charge boots which makes some skips impossible and Endako skip might not be possible in no specials. PAL would lose a few minutes in NG+ and no IMG, probably quite a few minutes in all plats and I'm not sure about no specials and All PBSPI. Platinum is exactly the same except that it has a plat bolt counter between planets which is convinient for new runners running APB or all PBSPI although nothing that effects an actual run.

PS2 Greatest Hits/NTSC-J- Any% was exactly the same in this version as NTSC-U Black Label but due to the new chargeboots route, any% is no longer the same but the old route is barely even slower (it’s like 10 seconds slower) than the charge boots route so just use the old route. The chargeboots were heavily nerfed which makes NG+ categories a lot slower. You can't spam charge or wrench jump or decoy jump which makes a massive difference to all categories. You also can't slide with L1 out of charge boots which is also slow. Also, IMG works the same as in PAL which loses a lot of time. This makes a ton of skips impossible so this version is a lot slower for every non any% category. Both Black Label and The Best/Big Hit are the same for NTSC-J regions.

PS3- PS3 is mostly identical to Greatest Hits but there are still some notable changes. Firstly, loads are faster especially on download. Secondly, you can skip cutscenes instantly unlike PS2 and as they load faster than PS2, this is super fast in comparison and saves a decent amount of time. Thirdly, you can enter the museum from Aranos 1 however, you still have to death abuse or S&L (save and load). Fourthly, Boldan clip doesn't work on PS3 which loses half a minute in NG+ and no IMG and a lot more time in other categories. Fourthly, Slim Cognito glitch is a lot harder on PS3 so it's not RTA viable which overall makes any% slower on PS3 (although it can still theoretically be faster) and All Platinum Bolts/All PBSPI are a lot slower. PS3 is faster for all NG+ categories compared to Greatest Hits. You would use the chargebootless route in any% much like the other non optimal versions.

PSVITA/PSTV - Same as PS3 except that it crashes a lot so nobody should ever want to run this version. Loads are also faster so if the game is stable on PSTV then it may theoretically be the fastest version for any% unless the ship shack glitch is literally impossible.

Backwards Compatible PS3- Same as PS2 (obviously) except that on PS3s which emulate the PS2’s hardware, there's a ton of lag and the game can even soft/hard lock in some areas making it unplayable (it's also banned as it counts as an emulator). The load times are also faster and triple loads may not exist either or at least be very uncommon. Original 40/60GB NTSC BC PS3s (CECHA01) which use PS2 hardware have not been tested although they apparently run the game just fine and they should still have a loading edge over PS2 so they could potentially be the fastest way to run the game however, very few PS3s are CECHA01 models with PS2 hardware so they are expensive and rare and all other official PS3 models use hardware emulation and because of this, nobody runs on BC PS3 and it is debatable whether they should be allowed.

PS2 NTSC-U Black Label is the optimal version to have since it saves minutes in all other categories (except any% where the difference is a lot smaller). Greatest Hits is fine for any% albeit, a tiny bit slower and even then, that could change if some crazy fast chargebootless strats are found which would make getting the chargeboots pointless. PAL is a decent alternate for all other categories except no Specials but even then, it is still second since all of the basic tricks still work. All other versions are slow and they are not recommended for any other category since they lose a lot of time.