Thursday, June 09, 2011

Let's Play: 'Which Box Art is Better?' (Otomedius Excellent edition)

I've long been a fan of Konami's Gradius and Parodius series, so of course I've long been intrigued by the company's Otomedius games, which share a number of attributes with their similarly side-scrolling and space-based predecessors, too.

Given Konami's reluctance to release its Parodius games in countries that aren't named Japan, however, hoping for a stateside release of its Otomedius titles seemed like a waste of both time and energy. As such, I was shocked when the company announced that it would be bringing the second Otomedius game to the US.

Anyway, here's the art that will grace the cover of the US version of the game, which will hit store shelves on July 19 (pre-order the regular edition here and the collector's edition here):


And here's the box art of the Japanese version, which was released earlier this year:


As for which one I prefer: If I were straight, I'd likely choose the US art as my favorite thanks to the close-up of the game's busty protagonist, but since I'm not I'm going to go with the Japanese cover thanks to its better use of color, its less-cluttered design and its superior (and sparkly!) logo.

That said, both pieces of art deserve props for featuring GwinBee, TwinBee and WinBee.

Anyway, that's my rather pointless opinion on the matter. Which piece of Otomedius box art do you prefer?

16 comments:

LottieTwintails said...

Hmm, I'm definitely happy with the U.S. box art we're getting! I echo your sentiments about it ;D

I do like the logo of the Japanese cover, though, very sparkly indeed.

Guess I'd better go preorder this now... between this and Catherine my July is going to be extra hot!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, yeah, don't get me wrong -- I think the US version is nice, especially since it still includes the TwinBee characters :)

I'm pretty stoked the "normal" release is going to be just $30 in the US. I think I'll have to pick it up at that price. Catherine will have to come later!

Viewtiful_Justin said...

I'm gonna pick the Japanese version for the same reason as you. Much less busy and way more sparkly.

Bryan Ochalla said...

The sparkles are the best part of the Japanese cover, don't you think? ;)

Unknown said...

Japanese, for all the same reasons. US cover is too fan service-y D: Which is funny that it's the US cover rather than the Japanese one, it's usually the other way around!

Mark Ayala said...

As a straight man, I still prefer the Japanese one. The elaborate design is just a lot more exciting. Plus it's a video game; not exactly something I'd like to get my rocks off to. I want to have fun is all!

Bryan Ochalla said...

You're right, Anne -- it's funny to see the NA art be a bit more, er, pervy than its Japanese counterpart :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ah, thanks for chiming in, Mark! And here I thought most straight guys would say, "The US art, obviously!" I really shouldn't assume such things, though -- esp. since I wouldn't was everyone to assume gay gamers would prefer a piece of cover art that features a muscular guy in a speedo :)

Anonymous said...

To me I much prefer the first cover, the japanese cover is really unattractive to me and I'm not sure why. It just seems so cheesy for some reason, all the characters floating in the sky in the middle of the screen being all "OH HAI".

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ha! I love your interpretation of the Japanese cover, Trxd. Yes, it is a bit more 'precious' than the US cover, isn't it?

Marcus said...

Overall I think the Japanese box art is much nicer. However, I really like the US one because the girl front and center looks so sassy! Just look at that pose!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yeah, I have to admit the US art is growing on me, Marcus. And you're right -- the girl in the front is all kinds of sassy :)

the immigayrant said...

The US version has a better composition and more sophisticated angle.
The US version's composition:
- Main object: girl in blue
- Secondary object: title
- Tertiary object: the other cluttery characters (ok this is the weak point)

The angle of the shot reminds me of typical America's Next Top Model shot. Stylish!


The Japanese version is too plain. What composition does it have?
- Main object ???
I can't even start.
It's composition is too symmetrical as well. Bo-ring.

The angle of the shot is plain. Just put everything facing front. Another bo-ring.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ha ha! No, really, immigayrant, tell me how you feel! Just kidding ;)

Actually, I agree with you that the Japanese cover is at the very least overly conventional and symmetrical. I wouldn't go as far as saying it's boring, but that's just my opinion.

After considering your opinions/thoughts, though, I agree that the US version is the more sophisticated of the two options. Really, if it those secondary characters didn't clutter things up so much, I'd prefer the US cover to the Japanese one, no problem.

Zigfried said...

Ditto what Mark said -- the Japanese cover is the most colorful and the cutest! But I can't disagree that the angle of the US cover is more daring.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yeah, this one is a bit of a toss up, isn't it, Zigfried? I can understand both sides, to tell you the truth. If I was forced to choose one over the other, though, I'd still go with the Japanese art.