Awful video game box art

[Mirage]

Why do some publishers insist on totally ruining the boxarts of some games when they release them in for example North America. In europe, we seem to usually get the same box art as was used in Japan, and I must say it is usually much more aesthetically pleasing.

Some examples:

EU/JP


NA:



EU/JP:



NA:




Other than this there's of course the often cheesy Final Fantasy boxes vs. the classy and minimalistic box arts that we get in japan and europe.

What is the worst box art you've ever seen? Do you agree that japan/europe often gets the better deal?

Oh of course, you're welcome to post side by side comparations too.

[Jibril]

I will never get tired of that Suikoden box art. Coincidentally it is the worst box art I've ever seen

[Vermachtnis]

American Kirby is Hardcore.

[Slothy]

The first thing I thought of when I saw this thread was Ico. Hands down one of the worst covers ever. I wouldn't be surprised if it's part of the reason it sold so poorly. It completely undermines the games artistic brilliance to package it in something quite the opposite.

Other than this there's of course the often cheesy Final Fantasy boxes vs. the classy and minimalistic box arts that we get in japan and europe.

I agree with this to an extent. They weren't so bad in the SNES era, and I really liked the limited edition case art for XII.

The original Mega Man got pretty well ganked in cover art. I don't have time to track down a picture right now but I'm sure someone will oblige for those who haven't seen it.

[Jessweeee♪]

Shikigami no Shiro translated to Mobile Light Force 2





Nothing on this box is at all related to the game. Well, you shoot things, but it looks like this:



Not only did they butcher the box art, but they also completely removed the ENTIRE PLOT and a couple of other features. It's still fun, but it'd be nice to have a story to play through.

[Mirage]

Nice find gurl!

[Flying Mullet]

I wonder if the anime-style box art found in Japan and Europe would sell less in North America or if the action-y non-cartoon box art is a stereotype from the 80s about the United States and no one will let go of it.

[Bunny]

- I have no idea what this cover is trying to convey.

- I..is.. that Fabio?

- ...?

To name a few.

[~*~Celes~*~]

just another reason to be embarrassed about my country.

[Dreddz]

Back in the days when people didn't even try.

[Momiji]

Shikigami no Shiro translated to Mobile Light Force 2





Nothing on this box is at all related to the game. Well, you shoot things, but it looks like this:



Not only did they butcher the box art, but they also completely removed the ENTIRE PLOT and a couple of other features. It's still fun, but it'd be nice to have a story to play through.

Darn, you beat me to it. :P

[Bunny]

just another reason to be embarrassed about my country. :(

Congratulations.

[black orb]

>>> Lol, that one is awesome, I can recognize most of the characters there.
left side:Barbarossa, Ted, Windy.
middle: Futch and Black.
right side: Luc, Leknaat, random monster.

[LunarWeaver]

Yes, that Ico situation was rather disappointing :sad:

Hmm, here's one that's cool and then not so cool:





Though honestly I have no idea which countries got which.

[Barraza]

I mean, the first sucked too, but I digress...