Even 8 years after its release, this game is still more "next-gen" than most games released today.
I'm sure you've heard about this game more times than one, with its constant re-releasing on multiple platforms after its initial game cube exclusivity. That is, until Cap-com realized its selling potential, and decided to release it on almost every console today. While the game is essentially the same, there are some subtle details that make somewhat different, for, in my opinion, worse than the original version.
I guess its just me, but the original game-cube version is more difficult than the 'port' versions recently released. The original source code that is present in the game-cube version provides an original difficulty that isn't surpassed by the recent versions, due to a constant port after port of the original code. With that being said, the graphics are definitely more crisp in the "HD" versions. However, for reasons stated above, the better visuals don't justify a different version for the original sublimity. This is just another example of game-play vs. presentation. When the former dominates, the latter doesn't need to be up to scratch, and will follow suit.
I personally prefer the game-cube version(if it isn't obvious at this point), not only because of what was described, but also, its superior controls. The game cube controller was made for this game, simply put. It's tighter, more responsive, and precise. I found myself pulling off more difficult shots with better controls that wouldn't have been possible with other controls(PS,360, etc), the lone exception, the Wii-remote. This allows for more variability in combat, as opposed to just using the right weapon, in the given combat situation.
The sound is also superior in the original, which, is surprising to me. You'd think with an HD port, the sound would be just as crisp, however, its not. It sounds, "muffled" as if someone were speaking into a spinning fan(we've all done it..) and seriously depreciates its "scare" effect. It's disappointing, and truly the straw that broke the camels back, as sound, for this game, is the soul of which generates adrenaline to move onward. This was a BIG issue for me...
If you've played this game for the first time on the more recent version and found yourself saying, "I don't understand what the hype was about", then you haven't experienced this game as it should have been all this time. Do yourself a favor, play the ORIGINAL version, and you'll notice the differences that I've mentioned above, trust me, I've logged the time to know... While these differences may not be immediately obvious, its something that the average player takes for granted, especially if you haven't played this version in a while, and definitely, not at all. After a while, you'll find yourself saying, wow, what a difference, in all aspects, and the HD version will seriously become obsolete.
Maybe I'm just old-school but, Resident Evil 4 for the GAMECUBE is a timeless classic.
It's really that good.