Monday, July 30, 2012

Let's Play: 'Which Box Art is Better?' (New Art Academy edition)

I have to admit that I had no intention of focusing an entire "Which Box Art is Better?" post on Nintendo's New Art Academy ... until I saw the Japanese version's cover imagery.

Although I wouldn't exactly call it mind-blowing, I think it's rather elegantly designed and I also like its summery, retro-ish color scheme.


Sadly, I can't pay such compliments to its European counterpart (below), which, at best, I consider to be a cluttered mess.


Here's hoping the North American release's cover art takes its cues from the Japanese iteration and not from the European one.

New Art Academy hit the streets of Europe on Saturday, by the way, and it will follow suit in Japan on Sept. 13. No word yet on when it'll find its way onto North American store shelves.

See also: Previous 'Which Box Art is Better?' posts

16 comments:

Chalgyr said...

Yeah, I'm definitely in favor of the top one. I understand what they're doing with the bottom/European one, but there's just too much going on in the image, imo

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Oh, see? I actually prefer the bottom one, but maybe that's just the Goomba talking.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Chalgyr! Yes, I'm with you -- I understand what the Euro art is trying to do, but I think the artist jumbled things a bit. Hopefully they get it right for the NA release (assuming it's released here at retail and not just via the eShop).

Bryan Ochalla said...

Justin: Well, of course I like the Goomba! I actually like the rest of the art on the Euro cover well enough, too. What I don't like is the logo and all of the text that flows below it :|

Kimimi said...

The European one looks like an awful budget PC educational title D:

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ha! Well, that's certainly one way of putting it, Kimimi :)

Kimimi said...

I'm sorry Bryan it's just what came to mind! I do like the little Goomba sketch they snuck in, but the Japanese cover is so much more refined.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, you don't need to be sorry, Kimimi. I agree with you! In fact, I wish I had thought of that quip myself :)

Adam said...

The Japanese box reminds me I can't draw more, so I have to side with EU for less emotional pain.

Bryan Ochalla said...

But Adam, the game teaches you how to draw! So, presumably you'll be able to draw precious little boys (er...) after you go through all of this game's lessons, etc. :)

Unknown said...

Wow! The Japanese box art looks so... sophisticated! I definitely like the the color scheme. Though I wish they didn't put that mini 3DS XL with a totally different drawing in the bottom right corner. I think it could've done without (though I suppose it does give a clue as to what it actually is).

Unknown said...

Oh, I didn't notice the Goomba in the EU cover! How funny!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Anne! Yeah, the Japanese art definitely is sophisticated. As for the mini 3DS XL in the corner: I didn't think much about it before you brought it up, but now that I have I can see what you mean. I don't think it ruins the cover, though, or anything.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, and, yeah, the Goomba on the EU cover is nice, isn't it? Kind of like the Yoshi on the NA cover of the first Art Academy game (if I'm remembering correctly).

gsilverfish said...

I work at an art supply store and the EU cover looks exactly like the sort of design on any number of "how to draw" book+art supply combos we sell. I am suspicious of the quality of all of them so the EU cover absolutely gives me the exact same vibe. Definitely not a fan!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, gsilverfish! Why does what you say here not surprise me? The Euro box art does look like the cover of a "How to Draw" book, doesn't it? Ugh. That's why I much prefer the Japanese art. 10-to-1, though, that here in the US we get something similar to the Euro box art :|