It doesn't matter which box you use, it will automatically update to the latest version.
(Edit for further info) - Even the Architect Edition will have an update to download. Also, even finding a "side specific" box (City of Heroes or City of Villains, as opposed to, say, Good vs Evil) won't make a difference - you get access to all of it.
The main difference between editions is what comes with them.
(edit 2, for the heck of it.)
You could actually buy one of each edition (if they're cheap enough) and "stack" them. For instance, put in an original City of Heroes disk, get the free month with subscription, add the collector's edition, get its goodies and another free month, get the COV collectors edition, get its goodies and another month, then GVE, the Mac pack (works on a PC, yes,) and Architect edition - each of them will add the free month. You just can't have more than one of a specific edition on your account (for instance, going to Big Lots and buying 5 COH DVD editions - you could only use one on your account, the rest would be rejected.)
This is also why you'll see, on occasion, a comment to buy the online version of the Mac Pack, for instance. The "stuff only" code costs $10, the whole "Mac pack" costs $20 - but that's with the stuff and a free month, which would be "worth" $25 ($10 for the stuff, $15 for a month's playtime) so it turns out cheaper.
(Also please note "booster packs" like the wedding, magic, and science packs add no time, just neat stuff.)
What Memphis said: any game box will update you to the full game client, allowing you access to pretty much everything.
But welcome to the game and to the forums!
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I was just the one with the most unsolicited sombrero." - Traegus
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Does the included game time in these old boxes still work for the game? Once you subscribe, can you use the codes from the old boxes to get additional months of game time?
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Yes to these questions.
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are they limited to new accounts?
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No to this question.
Triumph: White Succubus: 50 Ill/Emp/PF Snow Globe: 50 Ice/FF/Ice Strobe: 50 PB Shi Otomi: 50 Ninja/Ninjistu/GW Stalker My other characters
I did a reformat of my backup laptop this week.
Actually used my AE install discs, from that install to completely uptodate was under 30 mins.
@Catwhoorg "Rule of Three - Finale" Arc# 1984
@Mr Falkland Islands"A Nation Goes Rogue" Arc# 2369 "Toasters and Pop Tarts" Arc#116617
One further point. If the original poster is using a trial account, they do NOT have to install from the disks. They just need to attach the new code to their account.
As to having a current copy of the game, I burn a DVD (or back up to an external HD) or the City of Heroes folder and restore using similar methods of this guide:
Guide for Moving CoH or Installing Test
Triumph: White Succubus: 50 Ill/Emp/PF Snow Globe: 50 Ice/FF/Ice Strobe: 50 PB Shi Otomi: 50 Ninja/Ninjistu/GW Stalker My other characters
I've actually made a hobby of collecting every released boxed version. I think I still need the original CoH, and that's it. (Except for the M&G codes, chances for those are slim. 
)
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I've actually made a hobby of collecting every released boxed version. I think I still need the original CoH, and that's it. (Except for the M&G codes, chances for those are slim. )
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So you have a bootleg copy?
Orc&Pie No.53230 There is an orc, and somehow, he got a pie. And you are hungry.
www.repeat-offenders.net
Negaduck: I see you found the crumb. I knew you'd never notice the huge flag.
The Bootleg is the original trial version, wasn't sure if it would stack. Though I should probably get it just to have it.
Thanks for the info! One followup to the original reply: Is it important to put the codes in in order of release? So, for example, if I pick up a GvE copy and put in that code when trial runs out, am I limited then to the Architect Edition, or can I still go back and put in the older releases later?
Looking forward to getting more into the game!
Nah, you can put them in in any order you get them.
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I was just the one with the most unsolicited sombrero." - Traegus
And you don't have to wait until your trial period is up to update to the full version, the time is tacked on so you wont be losing the X days left on your trial. Just remember to apply the code to your trial account, not create a new one.
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A store nearby is selling new boxes of apparently older releases of the game - Good vs. Evil edition, even the original box. I realize that these boxes won't contain the latest update like the Architect edition, but they are pretty cheap ($10 or so).
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BUY! BUY! BUY!
The Good vs Evil box set gives you:
1) The Good vs Evil 'goodies' (powers and costumes) - normally costing $10.
2) One free month - normally costing $15.
SUPER BARGAIN!
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Does the included game time in these old boxes still work for the game? Once you subscribe, can you use the codes from the old boxes to get additional months of game time, or are they limited to new accounts?
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Yes, the free month from the older sets still works.
Yes, you can use the codes from older box sets on an existing account to get the free month, *BUT* only once for each version. So you could buy Good vs Evil box ONCE and get the free month. You could also buy the Architect box ONCE and get a second free month.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
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A store nearby is selling new boxes of apparently older releases of the game - Good vs. Evil edition, even the original box. I realize that these boxes won't contain the latest update like the Architect edition, but they are pretty cheap ($10 or so).
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BUY! BUY! BUY!
The Good vs Evil box set gives you:
1) The Good vs Evil 'goodies' (powers and costumes) - normally costing $10.
2) One free month - normally costing $15.
SUPER BARGAIN!
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And after that, go ahead and purchase the Architect Edition as well. Since that comes with another $15 worth of game time, and a choice of one of the $10 Booseter packs, that makes a net total of negative $5. (just remember, it is currently limited to only the Magic and Cyborg packs. The Super Science pack is not selectable yet.
If you spend enough on this game, you can afford to buy your spouse a celebratory dinner!
... or something.
Mini-guides: Force Field Defenders, Blasters, Market Self-Defense, Frankenslotting.
So you think you're a hero, huh.
@Boltcutter in game.
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The Bootleg is the original trial version, wasn't sure if it would stack. Though I should probably get it just to have it.
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Bootleg was a copy with some free time - trials require you to purchase the game.
Orc&Pie No.53230 There is an orc, and somehow, he got a pie. And you are hungry.
www.repeat-offenders.net
Negaduck: I see you found the crumb. I knew you'd never notice the huge flag.
New player question, sorry if I've come to the wrong forum. I'm in my free trial right now, and am thinking of trying a month. A store nearby is selling new boxes of apparently older releases of the game - Good vs. Evil edition, even the original box. I realize that these boxes won't contain the latest update like the Architect edition, but they are pretty cheap ($10 or so). Does the included game time in these old boxes still work for the game? Once you subscribe, can you use the codes from the old boxes to get additional months of game time, or are they limited to new accounts?
Thanks for any feedback!