Version 1.00 allowed the "Soul Breaker" glitch (Mewtwo freezing the game) and the infamous "Icicle Mountain" softlock. Version 1.02 eliminates these entirely. If you are playing on an emulator like Dolphin, a v1.02 ISO ensures you never lose a Slippi ranked match to a desync or a random freeze.
The earlier versions are historical artifacts. The PAL version is a regional curiosity. But remains the "Better Exclusive" because it sits at the intersection of availability, balance, and modern mod compatibility. super smash bros melee 102 iso better exclusive
Thus, the "exclusive" nature is not about the game itself, but the ecosystem built around v1.02. Version 1