Shmups packaging artwork gallery est. 2009

[Skykid]

I was arranging some games the other day and couldn't help admiring some of the artwork.
This one in particular really gives me the horn.



Anyone know of any obscure shmup-based packaging art that demands a bit of attention?

[Zweihander]

inb4 Phalanx

[lgb]

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/37 ... _super.jpg

Compare to:

http://www.4colorrebellion.com/media/pi ... apphal.jpg

[undamned]

This one in particular really gives me the horn.

*toot*

-ud

[nimitz]

not packaging, but one of my favorite.

[SockPuppetHyren]

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/37 ... _super.jpg

Beautiful.

[Fenrir]

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/37 ... _super.jpg

hahahahah what? Why???

[Zweihander]

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/37 ... _super.jpg

Compare to:

http://www.4colorrebellion.com/media/pi ... apphal.jpg

I actually prefer this one:

http://nfggames.com/sales/stock/X68phalanx.jpg

Just... something epic about it. IMO, in the case of the X68000 version, the cover art > the game. Whether or not Pharmer Bob's cover is superior to the actual game is debatable. (I'd vouch for that, though)

On a less-ridiculous note, if I had to choose an all-time favorite shmup cover, it would be this:

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/1/14 ... _large.jpg

[ZOM]

+1 to Zweihander for posting SHARP X68000 cover for PHALANX

Also:



and naturally




EDIT: somehow missed the "obscure" part in the OP but it doesn't really matter since DOJ's artwork deserves to be shown in any game cover thread.

Also I make up for that by posting this:

If this isn't obscure enough...

[bucklemyshoe]

I've always loved the PS2 DOJ packaging.

Even while most wont agree, I'm quite fond of the Death Smiles limited edition packaging as well.

[Zweihander]

DOJ poster/cover art set an insanely high bar for cover art in my book, shmup or non. IMO the Japanese Einhander cover comes close on the level of artistic simplicity, yet doesn't even scratch the surface for symbolism. Then again, to be fair, DOJ's story and underlying themes were a bit deeper than Einhander's. The covers for both got the job done perfectly.

[Ed Oscuro]

doj is all like

here is cool stu-OH SHIT LOLI'D

great composition though.

Phalanx's X68000 cover is epic and you don't really get the full effect from that tiny image. True highrez. The SNES pic is also truly epic. The SFC pic looks pretty shit from here.

Space Manbow is alright!
Crisis Force is alright!
some Konami game art is better than the game itself i.e. axelay
some isn't though, like Nemesis '90 Kai
Battle Mania (Japanese) is alright!
Tatsujin II (FM Towns) is alright!
Undead Line (X68000 / MSX) are alright!
I always kinda had a weak spot for the GG Aleste 2 box.

[Zweihander]

doj is all like

here is cool stu-OH SHIT LOLI'D

kinda interesting composition from an artsty point of view though.

Phalanx's X68000 cover is epic and you don't really get the full effect from that tiny image. True highrez. The SNES pic is also truly epic. The SFC pic looks pretty shit from here.

Space Manbow is alright!
Crisis Force is alright!
Battle Mania (Japanese) is alright!

While the Phalanx ship has always been a phallic reference, the SFC cover does indeed scream "THIS SHIP IS A PENIS". Dare I say, the cover is gayer than the gayest Cho Aniki cover has ever gayed.

EDIT: Also, it saddened me when the GBA port didn't use the Pharmer Bob cover. Still, improved port was improved. You could actually see the bullets.

[t0yrobo]

I can't actually think of any covers right now, but Taito's had their share of great looking posters.

[Ed Oscuro]

EDIT: Also, it saddened me when the GBA port didn't use the Pharmer Bob cover. :( Still, improved port was improved. You could actually see the bullets.

I emulated Phalanx for GBA for like four seconds and almost barfed from how ugly it was. :C

The original Darius poster is sauce, I have it in the cover of my LP (that's vinyl). Not nearly as good as Metal Black's though.

Also I believe there were multiple versions of the Metal Black cover - look at the Saturn versions sometime.

[Zweihander]

GOD yes. Fukken saved. That Raystorm poster is nobody's bitch, either.

EDIT: Also, it saddened me when the GBA port didn't use the Pharmer Bob cover. Still, improved port was improved. You could actually see the bullets.

I emulated Phalanx for GBA for like four seconds and almost barfed from how ugly it was. :C

So you didn't like how they made bullets visible this time around...?

[moonblood]

The Pce's Tatsujin is nice



And this R-type flyer is prob my fav shmup art ever, I had it printed as a poster



http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer ... 20&image=1

[Ed Oscuro]

EDIT: Also, it saddened me when the GBA port didn't use the Pharmer Bob cover. :( Still, improved port was improved. You could actually see the bullets.

I emulated Phalanx for GBA for like four seconds and almost barfed from how ugly it was. :C

So you didn't like how they made bullets visible this time around...?

I was just astonished at how ugly it was. Palette choices and such.

The only version of the game I own is the X68000 one, and that I haven't played. So the GBA ver. could well be much superior to the SNES, but I wouldn't want to play that one when I have the "original and best" lying about. Anyway, this is all off-topic, but I hope that helps clear things up.

[Zweihander]

I emulated Phalanx for GBA for like four seconds and almost barfed from how ugly it was. :C

So you didn't like how they made bullets visible this time around...?

I was just astonished at how ugly it was. Palette choices and such.

The only version of the game I own is the X68000 one, and that I haven't played. So the GBA ver. could well be much superior to the SNES, but I wouldn't want to play that one when I have the "original and best" lying about. Anyway, this is all off-topic, but I hope that helps clear things up.

Yeah, I get ya. Just saying I prefer the old "white or yellow bullet with a red outline" than a tiny red dot which blends into the reddish or at-times busy background. Invisible Bullet Syndrome, I believe it's referred to as.

[Skykid]

That Darius Gaiden art is amazing as is the Metal Black. Some nice stuff coming up here - I've never seen that Tatsujin or R-Type art before.

This one's pretty too (not very obscure tho.)

[BIL]

I've always liked Raizing's Mahou series artwork. It's so loud and joyful-looking. I wish I could find a high-res scan of Shippu / Kingdom Grandprix, I love its arcade flyer / Saturn cover.



High-Res: http://www.world-of-arcades.net/R8zing/ ... /flyer.htm

[moonblood]

I wish I could find a high-res scan of Shippu / Kingdom Grandprix, I love its arcade flyer / Saturn cover

Yeah Masamune Shirow did that one I think.. its very nice

[undamned]

On a less-ridiculous note, if I had to choose an all-time favorite shmup cover, it would be this:

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/1/14 ... _large.jpg

That's why I have that poster professionally framed and hanging in my living room And get this: it was the wife's idea to put it there (along with my Mars Matrix one)!

[Star Trader]

I keep forgetting that I need to play this game!
-ud

[SockPuppetHyren]

Everybody's coming to play it!

[emphatic]

I'm really fond of Heavy Unit:
http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer ... 98&image=1