As part of the PS2 Classics line-up, Sonic Heroes is now available on the European Playstation Store for £7.99/€9.99. Note that all the PS2 games under the PS2 Classics label are emulated ports, so this is exactly the same as the PS2 version. This isn't an "HD" version of the game. Source: http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2012/02/22/heads-up-game-store-update-22nd-february-2012/ Also, to avoid confusion, Playstation Network (PSN) recently changed it's name to Sony Entertainment Network (SEN).
The PC version was a port of the GCN one with annoyingly uncustomisable controls that were set up very weird. Best graphical potential of the lot, but cause it was the GCN one the CGI scenes were quite low-res. The PS2 version will always be the worst one.
I played the shit out of the Xbox version years ago, so when I played the PS2 version at a girlfriends house I noticed differences immediatly. It looked like shit, and I remember Metal Overlord having messed up colours. The framerate was also lower than what I remember. There's probably more though, it has been some time since I touched either version!
Very low framerate and a lack of shadows on platforms (but not landscape) make it very hard to play the PS2 version. There are also some duller colours and (I think) a lack of certain shader effects in places.
Gamecube one was best. Played the PS2 one for a year and a half, and thought it was amazing. Got the 'Cube version then realised what the fuck I'd been playing and how disillusioned at how good I thought that version was. Still, it's nice this is on the PS3 store. I actually have it with its case and whatnot, with the shiny tinfoil look- shame the Gamecube version didn't get that treatment.
If you liked Sonic Heroes and are planning to get a Wii U, I'd wait patiently for the unevitable VC release... sometime this decade.
Are there notable differences between the Xbox and Gamecube versions? I've only played Xbox and PS2 (my friend down the road had the PS2 version)
The PS2 version of Sonic Heroes was the first post-Mega Drive game I played, and never realised that it was that bad graphicswise. When I eventually did play the Gamecube version, I was too frustrated with the pointlessly convoluted Gamecube controller to even focus on graphics. :p
I own the Xbox version and have seen gameplay videos of the GameCube version; the only differences I've noticed (and these are for the Xbox version by the way) is that there are a few sound effects missing from certain levels (there's no SFX for hitting a green bumper or stopping the slot reels in Casino Park/BINGO Highway), the saving screen doesn't have a silhouette of Sonic's head, and the mini logo at the bottom right of the loading screen doesn't switch the colors as fast as it does in the GameCube version. Aside from those minute differences, I think they're pretty much identical. EDIT: Oh yeah, and for the Xbox version, the Bonus/Special Stages are labeled as "Stage X" rather than "Act X".
I always remember my friend telling me he hated Sonic Heroes, and then telling me he played it on the PS2 only. I can understand his frustration. Luckily I only ever played it on the Gamecube.