Support NeoGAF

[Glass Rebel]

Couldn't disagree more with the example in the OP. They went straight to Generi-Town with the US cover.

The most obvious example is, as mentioned, the PAL Resident Evil 4 cover. Classy as hell.

 

[See You Next Wednesday]

Super Castlevania 4

Contra 3

Early U.S. SNES games really lucked out.

 

[MetroidPrimeRib]

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.

No way man, JP Uncharted 2 cover is gold.

 

[Glass Rebel]

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.

Yeah, like those that post covers from American games

 

[artsi]

In Europe Final Fantasy box arts were all like the Japanese one, but then XIII came and messed things up. Glad I imported it.

EDIT: Sorry, I misread the title.

 

[Sub_Level]

Rambo and Dutch Bro-Op vs Xenomorphs

I have never. EVER. Wanted a thing to be a thing so much as now. I mean fuck.

edit: To address the OP, the Contra 3, Super Castlevania, and Lament of Innocence covers mentioned in the thread truly are better than the Japanese versions.

 

[Hurt and Scared]

[QUOTE="D";121087609]Japan's ---------------------- America

Yeah, ours are hideous.[/QUOTE]
That maybe so but the steelbook is superior to all those covers

 

[JediLink]

Yeah, like those that post covers from American games

Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

...

Seppeku is the only option.

 

[Cess007]

Japan

Europe

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

Edit. LOL it seems that most people really didn't read well the OP

 

[Aquamarine]

The Western cover is much more classy and evokes a greater sense of dread through minimalism.

The Japanese cover is too busy for a horror game and ruins the moment with that slightly awkward stare.

 

[Loofy]

TMNT for NES

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

I think the boxart is from the comic(where they all have red headbands)

EDIT: so beaten

 

[Toxi]

[QUOTE="D";121087609]Japan's ---------------------- America

Yeah, ours are hideous.[/QUOTE]
The American box art for vanilla is one of those things where the closer you get, the worse it looks. Really an ugly box.

I personally like the alternate American cover for Ultimate because Chris is Sylvester Stallone.

 

[Mengetsu]

[QUOTE="D";121087609]Japan's ---------------------- America

Yeah, ours are hideous.[/QUOTE]

Don't fool anyone here. This is the real box art and you know it.

So bad....

Edit: Toxi dammit!

 

[MrCunningham]

Contra 3

I love the artist who did the Contra III US artwork, by the way. He also did the art for Castlevania IV on the SNES as well, plus so many other Konami box arts from the 90's.

 

[SenorArdilla]

Hmm. I can't seem to read today so let's try this again.

 

[DOWN]

The European box for RE4

Immediately thought of the EU box when I read the title.

 

[Puaru1]

The NA Box art is just so beautiful it makes the minimalist style of the Japanese just look lazy by comparison.

 

[UltraGunner]

Breakdown for the OG Xbox

Japan, Europe, and America respectively

America wins hands down

 

[Phediuk]

Resident Evil.

Some may disagree here, but come on, that Western art is fucking hilarious.

 

[Renpatsu]

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

edit: some people are misreading the op.

I agree with you.

And yeah, almost everyone in this thread is running on reflex.

 

[illmatic22]

That Japan Uncharted 2 cover, I see what the tried to do, but they failed.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Ryu Ga Gotoku 4

Yakuza 4

Ryu ga Gotoku 3's art was way better than the US though.

 

[Curler]

The NA Box art is just so beautiful it makes the minimalist style of the Japanese just look lazy by comparison.

The cover was what attracted me to it in a rental place. I heard of "Final Fantasy" before (and was surprised they were up to 10 at this point ) and rented it because it looked soooo pretty and SUPER realistic on the cover! I later bought it.

So that cover got a rental and a sale out of me.

 

[Imru’ al-Qays]

Breakdown for the OG Xbox

Japan, Europe, and America respectively

America wins hands down

Man, Xbox games definitely had some sort of house style or something. Can't quite put my finger on it, something about the character design.

 

[Phediuk]

European Silent Hill cover. is far more indicative of the game's tone than the Japanese cover.

 

[manzo]

Super Castlevania 4

I own the Akumajo Dracula cartridge and I've always though that the illustrator HAS to be the same as in the original MegaMan cartridge. Too many similarities.

 

[NewGame]

So how about that close-up of the eye?

Honestly though the PAL boxart is the best. The game is essentially a haunted house simulator with very little gameplay and is more of a funny party game than a survival horror.

 

[Redrop]

The Western cover is much more classy and evokes a greater sense of dread through minimalism.

The Japanese cover is too busy for a horror game and ruins the moment with that slightly awkward stare.

Wow, that one takes the cake. The JP one legitimately looks goofy in comparison.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Rambo and Dutch Bro-Op vs Xenomorphs

I have never. EVER. Wanted a thing to be a thing so much as now. I mean fuck.

Someone else thought the same!

First, get

then

 

["D"]

That maybe so but the steelbook is superior to all those covers

Agreed. I have the steelbook fortunately for me as well

 

[Earthpainting]

The Western cover is much more classy and evokes a greater sense of dread through minimalism.

The Japanese cover is too busy for a horror game and ruins the moment with that slightly awkward stare.

I couldn't think of any examples other than RE4 (PAL), but this one is a great example too. It's even of the same series, and the reasons for it being better are similar too.

 

[Durante]

RE 4 and Revelations are the only 2 examples so far that I actually agree with.

 

["D"]

Don't fool anyone here. This is the real box art and you know it.

So bad....

Edit: Toxi dammit!

The American boxart for Ultimate IS in fact true indeed. For the PS3 version.

EDIT: Technically we both right lol. I just grabbed my copy from the shelf and forgot it was dual-sided haha. I dislike both sides regardless. Japan box art all the way for me

 

[Neff]

Lol, there isn't a single convincing suggestion in this thread, and there's a reason for that.

Japan really does do box art better.

 

[UltraGunner]

Man, Xbox games definitely had some sort of house style or something. Can't quite put my finger on it, something about the character design.

Well, in terms of its japanese exclusives, its foregoed the "anime" style of its games and instead went for a more realistic depiction.

 

[Toxi]

Lol, there isn't a single convincing suggestion in this thread, and there's a reason for that.

Japan really does do box art better.

For games made in Japan, maybe.

Prime's no looker, but it's hilarious how the typical Japanese-Amaerican boxart narrative is reversed for it.

From Samus standing tall in a lonely dusty corridor...

...To Samus outlined in red jumping towards the viewer with an explosion behind her and a bunch of computery effects surrounding her head. I think an intern made it in a day.

 

[fvng]

The European box for RE4

wow Eu version is badass

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?

Man I gotta disagree Amano's illustration is beautiful and the NA cover doesn't even come close speaking strictly from an aesthetic point of view. NA is certainly better from a marketing/business point of view as you pointed out but artistically speaking not even close

 

[Inspectorg]

vs

 

[Exquisik]

The art on the US version (Right) just looks so much better than a guy with a tattoo...

 

[Jockel]

Wow, there's like four choices I agree with so far.

Spoiler

Or just about everybody got the thread backwards

 

[Curler]

The art on the US version (Right) just looks so much better than a guy with a tattoo...

Wow that's the Japanese cover? Normally, these kinds of covers would be reversed with Japan having the artsy one.

I don't think ANYONE can argue against this case!

 

[AAK]

Ryu Ga Gotoku 4

Yakuza 4

.

Thread winner.

My contribution:

Laziest Cover ever:

Less Lazy and much more appropriate Cover:

 

[Radec]

I think EU got the same cover (right) as well.

Also the japanese steelbook

 

[Toxi]

Thread winner.

My contribution:

Laziest Cover ever:

How the hell is that lazy?

 

[AniHawk]

Thread winner.

My contribution:

Laziest Cover ever:

i actually find it quite beautiful and intriguing. the american one is more reminiscent of the guy holding a gun with his back turned to the viewer.

 

[fvng]

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.

this game is so amazing but i've gotta disagree the japanese artwork is way better

europe cover is cool too

 

[HyperBitHero]

For games made in Japan, maybe.

Prime's no looker, but it's hilarious how the typical Japanese-Amaerican boxart narrative is reversed for it.

From Samus standing tall in a lonely dusty corridor...

...To Samus outlined in red jumping towards the viewer with an explosion behind her and a bunch of computery effects surrounding her head. I think an intern made it in a day.

I like the Japanese one more.

 

[tim_pkmn89]

For games made in Japan, maybe.

Prime's no looker, but it's hilarious how the typical Japanese-Amaerican boxart narrative is reversed for it.

From Samus standing tall in a lonely dusty corridor...

...To Samus outlined in red jumping towards the viewer with an explosion behind her and a bunch of computery effects surrounding her head. I think an intern made it in a day.

That's what I feel about the American one. Take some image of a hallway. Apply some filters to it to dull it out. Now throw a stock image of Samus over top of it. Done.

 

[Shaanyboi]

For games made in Japan, maybe.

Prime's no looker, but it's hilarious how the typical Japanese-Amaerican boxart narrative is reversed for it.

From Samus standing tall in a lonely dusty corridor...

...To Samus outlined in red jumping towards the viewer with an explosion behind her and a bunch of computery effects surrounding her head. I think an intern made it in a day.

The one where Samus is moving and has some effects is lazy, but the one where she's just standing there sin't?

 

[Toxi]

That's what I feel about the American one. Take some image of a hallway. Apply some filters to it to dull it out. Now throw a stock image of Samus over top of it. Done.

I was having the same thought.

On the plus side, it actually represents the game's feel.

Echoes is the only Prime game with good cover art.

The one where Samus is moving and has some effects is lazy, but the one where she's just standing there sin't?

I think the one that doesn't take place in a black void might represent the game better.

But oh well, if it were reversed people would be complaining about how the American cover tries to pander to the FPS audience.