So something I've noticed over the years is that the US gets immensly inferior box art compared to the rest of the world.
Does anyone know of a valid reason for them changing the art depending on the region, or is it just something they like to do to differentiate the copies?
If you know of any truly egregious examples of box art post em here.
I assume it's licensing. Cheaper to shit out your own than get the rights to the original. But what do I know?
Don't rule out cultural differences. The West in general (and America specifically) hate "cutesy" stuff. All that about never judging a book by its cover? Yeah, we don't usually pay much attention to that.
I assume it's licensing. Cheaper to shit out your own than get the rights to the original. But what do I know?
Don't rule out cultural differences. The West in general (and America specifically) hate "cutesy" stuff. All that about never judging a book by its cover? Yeah, we don't usually pay much attention to that.
From what i've learned it's that most of the time Americans (generalisation) find the japanese art too cute. So they change it from happy pikachu to angry lightning pikachu.
It's usually about culture and what's acceptable. I noticed that in the US releases, sexuality is often removed from the game box art that appears overseas. In some cases, as the ICO one above illustrates and the RE 4 Wii below does, it can also be about aesthetics. After all, game art is a form of advertising and if it doesn't properly promote a game to a buying public then it has no value beyond being artistic which isn't it's true purpose.
I assume it's licensing. Cheaper to shit out your own than get the rights to the original. But what do I know?
Don't rule out cultural differences. The West in general (and America specifically) hate "cutesy" stuff. All that about never judging a book by its cover? Yeah, we don't usually pay much attention to that.
^This. Same goes for movies where you see soo much celebrity facial collage on American versions while international versions are more abstract AND related to the subject.
Different cultures, different values. Difference can be seen in anything; food, movies, music.
Gallery
Is this real? I don't believe you. Drake looks like he's had a stroke.
Yup totally, it's the standard Japanese box. Sony's been anime-y most of their 1st party stuff when it comes to Japan. Check out Ratchet and Clank, Crash Bandicoot or even Jak and Daxter (which I quite liked actually)
Different cultures, different values. Difference can be seen in anything; food, movies, music.
Gallery
Is this real? I don't believe you. Drake looks like he's had a stroke.
Yup totally, it's the standard Japanese box. Sony's been anime-y most of their 1st party stuff when it comes to Japan. Check out Ratchet and Clank, Crash Bandicoot or even Jak and Daxter (which I quite liked actually)
Different cultures, different values. Difference can be seen in anything; food, movies, music.
Gallery
Is this real? I don't believe you. Drake looks like he's had a stroke.
Yup totally, it's the standard Japanese box. Sony's been anime-y most of their 1st party stuff when it comes to Japan. Check out Ratchet and Clank, Crash Bandicoot or even Jak and Daxter (which I quite liked actually)
How come no-one has posted the Kirby covers? I like how the American version is a badass punk. I mean look at him. He obviously mugged Link and stole his shit. Now Kirby and his posse roams around and terrorize other peeps.
The one on the left, US, makes no sense since not only does the characters there not resemble the actual characters, it also makes the game seem not to be the JRPG that it really is.
Still, game box art is still quite some time from being visually appealing in any real sense. Some are OK looking but very few are actually very nice looking.
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