I found the answer as to why I thought the game was much, much better quality than the regular PC version:

"If you are using a graphics card based on another chipset, such as the RAGE 128, then the game must be installed and configured for DirectX or OpenGL operation (if supported by the game). Please note that ATI3DCIF.DLL based games shipped with ATI's ATI 3D RAGE I, 3D RAGE II, 3D RAGE II+, 3D RAGE IIC, 3D RAGE PRO, and 3D RAGE LT PRO based products will not run on product based on other graphics chipsets.

INFO-BASE file # 3023

Keywords: 3D RAGE PRO for PC Games modified specifically for the 3D RAGE accelerators, such as WipeOut, Assault Rigs, MechWarrior II and Formula 1"