These days multiplatform titles are pretty damn near close to total parity across all major platforms.

Historically however major multiplat games could be completely different from each other despite sharing the same title and releasing the same time on different consoles. This was due to consoles/handhelds having different capabilities from a tech/control perspective. It wasn't uncommon for games to have completely different dev teams and what not.

In the 7th gen, it wasn't uncommon for their to be a PC/360/PS3 version, a Wii version (sometimes similar to PS2 version), a DS version, a PSP version, and most likely a mobile version as well. Something like The Simpsons Game is a good example, which took things a step further by having unique box art for each version.

What are some of your favorite console specific versions of multiplatform games?

I really liked the GBA versions of Sims games that accompanied the console versions like Sims Bustin Out or the Urbz: Sims in the City. These games usually connected to the Gamecube version and you could move characters back and forth. The games played completely differently from the console version and was more story based.

I also remember playing the GBA version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban like a million times. The turn based RPG game wasn't that good but it was extremely easy and took me only about an hour to beat each time.

So while it is a good thing that console games are more equal nowadays, it also kinda sucked we lost all of these unique versions of different titles. I'm sure they spread out development funding, gave smaller studios a shot at revenue, and helped train younger developers.

Any special titles you would like to shout out?

TMNT from 2007. The lead platforms were X360, Wii, PS2, GCN, etc. But there was also a GBA version released around the same time. It’s much more in line with the earlier arcade beat-‘em-ups, and arguably superior to its console counterparts.

Oh great thread!

Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip on the Wii was a totally different game than the PS3/360 version, and I'd argue a better one thanks to a more interesting art style and balance board support.

Prince of Persia the Forgotten Sands and Dead Rising on Wii were also fun, if quite unlike the HD versions.

Quake II on the N64 was basically a whole new games loosely based on the same IP.

Oh, now that's a fun topic! My favorite unique version of a game is Fatal Frame V for the Wii U! The only game in the series where you can use the Gamepad as your Camera Obscura as you chase down ghosts teleporting around you! Plus the Zero Suit and Zelda dress outfits in the western release!

Now if we are talking about completely different versions, after some thought, I have to go with Spiderman: Web of Shadows for the PS2. I wanted so much to play the PS360 version back then, but alas, I didn't have a PS360, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the PS2 version a lot and beating it multiple times!

Soul Calibur II on the Gamecube. Xbox got Spawn, PS2 got Heihachi, but Gamecube got Link, which naturally is a much better for for the series as a whole.

Also, quite a few titles that were ported to the Wii U, as the additional display in hand could be used for useful things other consoles simply weren't capable to.

The 2011 tie-in game for the movie Thor was apparently rubbish, but the DS version was a decent little sidescrolling action game from Wayforward.

I think back to the SNES / Genesis days, when games like Aladdin, Jurassic Park, and Alien 3 were completely different between platforms. I generally preferred the SNES games of each title (especially Jurassic Park and Aladdin).

Sonic the Hedgehog on Master System / Game Gear. Obviously these systems couldn't match the Genesis from a visual / technical perspective. However, I really enjoy the more straightforward game here - great platforming and music.

Okami HD on the Switch has touch screen controls that make it the best version of the game by far.

Resident Evil 4 Wii edition was awesome!

Second this one. SCII was amazing on the Cube.

One of the rumored titles in the last Direct (that didn’t pan out, sadly) was Soul Calibur VII. Nintendo should seriously work with Bandai Namco on a Switch 2 SC7 with Link, maybe with a few additional characters like Ganon, Ike, or Edelgard, or perhaps an exclusive game of all of Nintendo’s sword/axe/spear characters as a similar SC analogue as Pokken was for Tekken. 

I’ve always had a soft spot for the NES versions of Ultima 3 and 4. The NES version of U3 was my first introduction to western-style RPGs (despite the Japanese visuals and music in that version.)