So you want to play the widely loved second entry in the Zone of the Enders (ZoE) series? That’s all well and good, but which version should you play? As we covered in our article on the game, the versions all have their unique elements to them. This could be framerate, how the enemy-AI was changed compared to the original release, if the original particle effects are still intact or if the system can play the first game.
Below we’ve put together a table covering all the versions.
We’ve also indicated if these versions include ZoE2 Special Edition(SE) and ZoE2 M∀RS Edition content. For reference, SE added new difficulty levels and some fights to the main campaign, while M∀RS added a VR mode, quick-sub-weapon switching and some additional unlockable artwork.
| Output | Min FPS | Max FPS | Original AI | Original Visual Effects | JPN VA as option | Can play ZoE1 | SE content | M∀RS content | |
| PS2 NTSC/JPN | 480i | 30 | 50 | Yes | Yes | No* | Yes | No | No |
| PS2 PAL / JPN(SE) | 480i | 30 | 50 | Yes | Yes | No* | Yes | Yes | No |
| PS3 pre-patch | 720 | 10 | 30 | No | No | No | Included | Yes | No |
| PS3 patched | 1080 | 50 | 60 | Yes | Partial | No | Included | Yes | No |
| X360 | 720 | 10 | 30 | No | No | No | Included | Yes | No |
| X1 BC** | 1080 | 60 | 60 | No | No | No | Included | Yes | No |
| M∀RS(PS4) | 4k | 60 | 60 | No | Partial | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| M∀RS(PC) | 4k | 60 | 60*** | No | Partial | Mods | No | Yes | Yes |
* Obviously the Japanese release has Japanese voiceover, but no ability to switch to the English voices.
**X1 BC = Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Program; meaning inserting your original Xbox 360 disc into the Xbox One.
*** PC’s gamespeed is tied to the framerate, thus going beyond 60 will have negative results.
Final verdict
Depending on your region, the original Playstation 2 release offers the original experience if one can handle the hefty frame-rate drops. Conversely, the game runs butter smooth on the Xbox One while also coming with the first game in HD, though it does miss out on some of the original visual effects.
If you don’t care for the first game though, and we’d have to pick an all round version, it would have to be the M∀RS edition on PS4/PC. While there is no definitive version of the game with all the bells and whistles, this one comes the closest. Sporting the most stable frame-rate, some of the original visual effects being restored and also featuring new bonus content it is a great place to start.
Regardless of which version you play, you’ll find Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner to be an innovative and tense action game. Enjoy!
Definitely going to play this, thanks to you. I do remember giving the PS3 version a shot back in day. but that was before the patch and so I quit playing it very quickly. I assumed it wouldn’t be fixed(see: The Silent Hill HD Collection), ’cause Konami!
What are your thoughts on the new Ninja Gaiden collection? Man, I’d love a collection like that, but I wanted the OG releases, not Sigma 🙁 However, I still might get it just for NG3RE, on your recommendation.
Hey Swinny! Hope you’re well! Yeah the game had some shoddy releases, but the PS4 release is very well worth it, as is the PS3/X1 these days.
Regarding NG. I’m lukewarm to it. I’m happy more people will get to experience the series, but personally I had hoped to be able to experience NGII on my PC, which sadly won’t happen. I’ll still get it regardless, to help build towards NG4 is possible.
If you have an X1, I’d recommend getting its version of NG3RE over the collection. It’ll probably look a tad worse, but it does have online which is a massive boon. Cheers!