What Are the Stand Alone Complex Video Games?
Two same-named games, two genres: a PS2 action title and its PSP shooter sequel.
The TV series’ success carried Section 9 to consoles. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex for PlayStation 2, developed by Cavia (the Drakengard studio), was released in Japan on March 4, 2004 and in North America on November 8, 2004, with a story set between the first season and 2nd GIG. Its sequel, confusingly carrying the same title, is a PlayStation Portable first-person shooter by G-Artists, released in Japan on September 15, 2005 (as Stand Alone Complex: Domain Hunters) and in North America on October 25, 2005. Neither has been re-released, and Anime News Network notes second-hand prices for the PS2 game climbing accordingly.
THE TWO DISCS
2004 and 2005PS2: Cavia’s action game
Third-person play as Motoko and Batou across 12 levels with more than 20 minutes of CG cutscenes, plus split-screen multiplayer for up to four players, per Bandai’s launch announcement.
PSP: the FPS sequel
G-Artists rebuilt the formula as a first-person shooter continuing the PS2 game’s storyline, keeping the squad structure and the same-titled branding that confuses collectors to this day.
Telling copies apart
Platform is the whole test: identical English titles, different developers, genres, and years. Check the spine and the developer credit (Cavia for PS2, G-Artists for PSP) before anything else.