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[Phediuk]

Although American box art has had a reputation for shoddiness, especially back in the day when anime art was systematically replaced by low-rent Boris Vallejo knockoffs, there must also be some cases where box art was changed for the better.

I submit the original Final Fantasy:

The art for the Japanese version looks a bit strange, like it's a colored-in rough sketch, while the American release has a much more polished, classy-yet-minimalist design. It also more clearly indicates an epic quest with a whole world to explore. I found FF's box art to be quite striking back in the day and rented it just because it looked cool.

What are some others?

 

[kittens]

Edit: Oops, misread the OP.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

The European box for RE4

 

[Krejlooc]

Just to be clear, this is about japanese games whose box art in the west is superior to the box art in japan.

FWIW I still agree with your choice.

 

[Zukuu]

nah. jap FF version looks better.

also, just about every kirby cover.

 

[kittens]

Just to be clear, this is about japanese games whose box art in the west is superior to the box art in japan.

FWIW I still agree with your choice.

Oops, haha. I love GBA box art, and was too hasty to share the love. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[CorySchmitz]

Edit: oops misread.

 

[Cess007]

While American box at had a reputation for shoddiness, especially back i the day when anime art was systematically replaced by low-rent Boris Vallejo knockoffs, there must also be some cases where box art was changed for the better.

I submit the original Final Fantasy:



The art for the Japanese version looks a bit strange, like it's a colored-in rough sketch, while the American release has a much more polished, classy-yet-minimalist design. It also more clearly indicates an epic quest with a whole world to explore. I found FF's box art to be quite striking back in the day and rented it just because it looked cool.

What are some others?

Sorry, i disagree. I found the japan boxart to be way better than the one in US. But i'm a big Amano fan, so i may be biased

 

[sphagnum]

I think you've got that backwards...

Also I'd say the Japanese FF artwork is much better than the western artwork. I like them both but Amano is always the best.

 

[Vylash]

Trauma Team

 

[Sami+]

Gotta disagree OP - the JP cover isn't amazing but personally I like it better than the American one.

The European box for RE4

Oh damn, totally agreed. Europe blows the other two out of the water there.

 

[Toxi]

The original Rockman boxart is colorful and accurate to the game, though it looks rather disorganized.

But this... THIS...

This is art. It's so terrible that you can't help but love it. Nobody remembers Rockman's cover art. Everyone remembers this bizarre attempt.

 

[Renpatsu]

I submit the original Final Fantasy:

The art for the Japanese version looks a bit strange, like it's a colored-in rough sketch, while the American release has a much more polished, classy-yet-minimalist design. It also more clearly indicates an epic quest with a whole world to explore. I found FF's box art to be quite striking back in the day and rented it just because it looked cool.

This is an interesting one because it is another example of the box art being remade to be tailored for Western audiences. They smartly decid to go for a well composed illustration that evoked the illustrations of traditional fantasy fiction and play to that notion of the title 'Final Fantasy'.

In comparison the Japanese box art chooses to go with an Amano piece and highlight the vibrancy of colour and unique character design that askews typical fantasy tropes.

So while I personally like the Japanese art more they are both well executed examples of box art for the market they're targeting.

 

[Phediuk]

Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

 

[taco543]

Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

Came to post this lol

 

[Malreyn]

Edit: hope new link holds

 

[boltz]

The original Rockman boxart is colorful and accurate to the game, though it looks rather disorganized.



But this... THIS...

This is art. It's so terrible that you can't help but love it. Nobody remembers Rockman's cover art. Everyone remembers this bizarre attempt.

Love it, the artist literally had no clue what he had to draw.

 

[casiopao]

Trauma Team

Lol the japanese title is named hospital and the six doctor I guess?

And I disagree there. The japanese ones looks much better. It is so colorful.

 

[Renpatsu]

Just so we're being accurate.

Edit: Either way this is probably another example of the opposite. The American box art is a relatively poorly rendered castle silhouette and features a glow that is the same colour as the logo.

 

[AniHawk]

Trauma Team

i blame ace attorney

i don't really love either one, but trauma team is less interesting.

 

[thunder_snail]

NTSC-J and PAL version got the best boxart.
I actually double dipped for the PAL version to get the better boxart (plus it's cardboard! feels good!)

Edit: Oops. Sorry, misunderstood thread.

 

[CrovaxPSO]

I've always preferred the North American cover for Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. I like the Japanese cover as well, but the NA cover is more interesting. The European cover is pretty good too, but my least favorite of the three.

Edit: That's better.

 

[Renpatsu]

Edit:

 

[Aquamarine]

The Western box does a much better job of conveying the atmosphere and the plot. I don't know what's going on in the Japanese cover with that really bizarre perspective.

The Western box is just more vibrant and energised. It takes the idea of the Japanese cover and better conveys the game's wackiness through including more scenes.

 

[NinjamicWZ]

also, just about every kirby cover.

nah man, Kirby box art is like a case study on everything wrong with localization. happy kirby is real kirby.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

The European box for RE4

BUT HOW WILL YOU KNOW IT'S ABOUT A MAN SHOOTING STUFF??

 

[Phediuk]

TMNT for NES

Even with the wrong-colored headbands I'll take the American version any day over that other art.

 

[ResidentDante]

I think PAL got the best Ridge Racer Type 4 cover, the japanese version has a ton of text on the front, the US one looks like a bad photoshop cut-out of the CGI intro cars.

 

[PK Gaming]

Uhh... I think you misread the title or something. No one ever thinks the US cover is better than the original. Ever.

Shoot, my bad.

 

[NinjamicWZ]

TMNT for NES

Even with the wrong-colored headbands I'll take the American version any day over that other art.

turn in your turtles card

 

["D"]

Japan's ---------------------- America

Yeah, ours are hideous.

 

[SenorArdilla]

So how about that close-up of the eye?

 

[MrCunningham]

TMNT for NES



Even with the wrong-colored headbands I'll take the American version any day over that other art.

The headbands technically aren't wrong though. The artwork for the American box art was taken directly from one of the original Mirage comics. In the original comics that pre-date the animated series they all wore red bandanas.

 

[Mockingbird]

You guys are doing a terrible job. With the exception on TMNT and MVC3 the Eastern ones have all been better.

 

[Phediuk]

Super Castlevania 4

 

[Aquamarine]

The Japanese cover might be a bit better if it didn't have Snake's disembodied head free-floating like that.

Looks incredibly awkward and silly. The Western box art does a much, MUCH better job of incorporating Snake into the frame.

 

[Fbh]

Trauma Team

agree.

To be honest I've never played this game.
But the cover on the right makes me think it's some sort of arcade "medical" game
The one on the left makes me think it's some sort of romance visual novel set in a hospital.

If it's anything like trauma center on the DS I'm guessing the right one is a better representation of what to expect

 

[dragonlife]

Persona 3 FES is the poster child for these kinds of threads



vs

Uhh... I think you misread the title or something. No one ever thinks the US cover is better than the original. Ever.

 

[Dipz]

Amano art is bad now?

 

[AniHawk]

You guys are doing a terrible job. With the exception on TMNT and MVC3 the Eastern ones have all been better.

that japanese re4 cover is pretty bland though. pal re4 covers for life.

 

[Godzilla's Left Toe]

TMNT for NES



Even with the wrong-colored headbands I'll take the American version any day over that other art.

Umm that's canon

 

[Jobbs]

EDIT: Wow I read the thread backwards. I thought this was another "superior japanese cover art" thread. XD

Guardian Legend stands out.

Japan:

USA:

This really is a common thing, though. Rightly or wrongly, publishers seem to have a very narrow idea of what will sell in America.

 

[Phediuk]

Contra 3

 

[random25]

The original Rockman boxart is colorful and accurate to the game, though it looks rather disorganized.



But this... THIS...

This is art. It's so terrible that you can't help but love it. Nobody remembers Rockman's cover art. Everyone remembers this bizarre attempt.

*pukes*

Good thing I was raised in awareness of "Rockman" rather than "Megaman."

 

[MrSaturn99]

edit: oh shit, I misread the title. Man, it's late.

 

[Vylash]

Lol the japanese title is named hospital and the six doctor I guess?

And I disagree there. The japanese ones looks much better. It is so colorful.

i actually misread the OP because i'm great, box art on the right is shit

 

[Malreyn]

You guys are doing a terrible job. With the exception on TMNT and MVC3 the Eastern ones have all been better.

Whoops....the title threw me off...I thought it read Japanese games box art superior to Western release, not other way around....

ok here

Spoiler

I totally bought Contra thinking it was about Aliens vs the cast of Predator

 

[JediLink]

I don't know; I guess smug Drake could have his own appeal but I like the western one better.

EDIT: Also ITT people can't read.
EDIT 2: Which apparently also includes me.

 

[Zevenberge]

Japan

Europe

...
Okay, I'll find the way out myself, thanks.

 

[pillowtalk]

I think PAL got the best Ridge Racer Type 4 cover, the japanese version has a ton of text on the front, the US one looks like a bad photoshop cut-out of the CGI intro cars.

The mini text is part of the design, kind of in fashion at the time.

edit: some people are misreading the op.