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Old 02-11-2010, 01:10 AM   #4
mr. b mr. b is offline
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The first release from amazon has two different versions actually. They both are identical in terms of the grey banner on the bottom of the front cover and the write up on the back, but the initial re-print uses a 2-disc insert, meaning there are hubs to hold 2 discs inside the case. The first run was the exact same SteelBook artwork wise, but the insert was a single disc hub and the digital copy was added in an envelope. The only real way to tell the difference (I think) is to open them, although it might be possible to tell if you can hear the digital copy in the envelope inside the disc moving around more when slightly shaken. There is also a ratings logo on the 1st re-printed one, but I don't know if they all had the logo.

If you were going for the rarest one, that's a toss up, but some might say the first one with the 1-disc insert because it probably had the smallest print run. Personally, I don't think any of them can be considered that rare since there are so many printed among the three variations.

There is also the fact that the 2-disc insert version could be considered the lesser quantity of the three versions since the other two only had 1-disc inserts. The covers are interchangeable, I think, with the initial release.

Some people (myself included) might also prefer the newer one that has a cleaner shot of Will Smith's face (his chin is not covered up with the grey banner), and those that hate digital copies will appreciate that it is not included nor does the information on the back say anything about a digital copy (unlike the 1st re-printed version). I think the spine for the 2nd re-print has a different catalog number as well, but I can't say for certain. Many consider it a different version because of the changes made to the cover and the contents being changed. I can almost see this one becoming more sought after than the other 2 down the road because of the cover and the single disc hub. I am planning on eventually picking it up and trading the grey banner one I have.

So, in summary:
1. 1st print run: grey banner on bottom of cover, 1-disc insert to hold the feature disc, digital copy included inside the case in an envelope, information on digital copy present on back.

2. re-print of #1: exact same artwork including grey banner, 2-disc insert to hold both discs and info. on back is identical to #1. FSK logo is also present, but there might be some that don't have it. It's a sticker, so it's removable.

3. reprint # 2 w/ slight differences: grey banner is gone and Will's chin is fully visible on the cover, single disc insert, no digital copy included, information removed from back cover about digital copy.

Honestly, get whichever one you can get your hands on for as cheap as possible, or decide what is more important to you in regard to their differences, and hunt for that one (if you can call it that with this title, LOL!). I don't see this one getting rare anytime soon at all, and it may very well wind up being one of the easiest SteelBooks to get from overseas for quite a long time.

Last edited by mr. b; 02-14-2010 at 05:07 AM.
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