Best box art

azmun · Post by **azmun** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:43 am

Few months ago there was a discussion on favorite cover or box arts. However, this was mostly restricted to shmups. I'm curious to know your top box art picks for any game on any system. Here's my list:

1-Super Shinobi 2 (Mega Drive)
2-Gunstar Heroes (Mega Drive)
3-Dracula X (PC Engine)
4-Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution (PS2)
5-Ghouls'n Ghosts (Mega Drive/Genesis)
6-MUSHA* (Genesis)
7-Blaster Master (Famicom)
8-Contra (Mega Drive)
9-Street Fighter Zero 3 (Saturn)
10-Sin & Punishment (N64)

*Almost always Japan has the better artwork but this is one of those rare cases where I prefer the US version.

Sometimes, the gap in quality of artwork between US and Japan can be so great. It makes me wonder why publishers feel the need to make changes which more often than not, are for the worst.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:11 pm

I can think of some exceptions though, where the western artwork is actually better than the Japanese. e.g. Contra Spirits/Contra III.
You're right though, Japanese artwork is generally best though.

My list would have to include (all Japanese):

- Einhänder, PSX
- Alisia Dragoon, MD
- Gunstar Heroes, MD
- Daimakaimura, MD
- Curse, MD (too bad the game is shite tho

)
- Kaze Kiri, PCE
- Harmful Park, PSX
- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, PSX

Generally I think the japanese Megadrive games had the best covers of any console. All this wonderful hand painted goodness!

Too bad you never see that kind of thing anymore...

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 6:46 pm

Curse, ofcourse. Mega Drive - IMO It's not that bad a game actually ;)

Wardner no Mori Special Mega Drive

The Hybrid Front Mega Drove

Maou Renjishi Mega Drive

Space Harrier II Mega Drive (JP version is a bit cleaner, without borders, but I couldn't find a scan and haven't got the time to scan my copy:))

Majyuou Super Famicom

captain ahar · Post by **captain ahar** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:16 pm

Ai Cho Aniki - just a fantastic concept for a shooting series

agreed on Harmful Park, pure quality

PFG 9000 · Post by **PFG 9000** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 7:28 pm

There are thousands of gorgeous box art designs out there, but some of my favorites are:

Dracula X: Rondo of Blood
Castlevania: Chronicles
Shadow of the Beast
Ninja Gaiden (NES)

But there's tons of great game art outside box covers, like the awesome Silent Hill 3 artwork (the one with Heather in the wheelchair being pushed by a dead nurse is particularly effective) and the "poster art" for many of the newer Castlevanias.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:59 pm

From the top of my head:

Any of the Langrissers
Any of the Lunars
Star Breaker
Albert Odyssey Gaiden
Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (JP)
Gunstar Heroes (JP)
Steam Hearts'

mrMagenta · Post by **mrMagenta** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:04 am

Psygnosis and Roger Dean really had it down:

Shadow of the Beast I and II
Obliterator
Nevermind

The pixelly ultra-colorful Xenon 2 is also a classic
Snes Phalanx and Ai Chou Aniki get honorable mention

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:41 am

I agree with the sentiments regarding JPN Mega Drive art, some of the best quality I've ever seen. My personal faves include:

Yoshi's Island - SNES
Gynoug - MD
Waku Waku 7 - Neo Geo
SF 2 Turbo - SFC

and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember now. The big box Amiga games also played host to some great stuff.

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:46 pm

You people are forgetting the 2600, many of its games had some awesome box art. Just check Air-Sea Battle (crappy game, though).

Klatrymadon · Post by **Klatrymadon** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:52 pm

We could all post awesome shooter artwork all day, so I'll ignore those for now and simply invite you to feast your eyes on these beauties:

I probably should have found bigger/clearer versions...