1up Looks At Video Game Box Art
Cover artwork for video games can make or break the game. It’s always been a touchy subject, translating the original Japanese cover image to appeal to western audiences. Now we look back at the games of yesteryear and pose the question, ‘What were they thinking?’ 1up has posted a fantastic look at gaming box art throughout the years. Their article delves into the changes of box art from Japanese to American shores.
After the American console market crashed in the early ‘80s, it was up to Japanese companies like Sega and Nintendo to pick up the slack. However, the cover artwork for many Japanese publishers’ early games seemed to be lost in translation. The first generation of Nintendo Entertainment System cartridges were little more than enlarged screenshots showing off the main characters in all their pixelated glory. Sega Master System games were even worse: a plain grid on a barren white background, complete with a single, low-quality image.If you are still hungry for more overseas box art comparisons, check out Hardcore Gaming 101. Notice the Ratchet and Clank series box art, in particular. All of the Japanese smiles have turned to American grimaces.
1up feature article: Judging a Game by it’s Cover
via: Jakanden
Toots
Posted to Video Games on 3 October 2006
Other stuff like this: box art, japanese, nostalgia
