Sadly, the outer packaging produced for this collection--called Kirby's Dream Collection in North America and Kirby 20th Anniversary Collection in Japan--isn't as fabulous as I imagined it would be. Oh, it's far from terrible, that's true, but I can't help but find it kind of ... underwhelming.
That's especially true of the North American version's packaging (below), which is mucked up by a terribly boring font (the "Kirby's Dream Collection Special Edition" part), a trio of pointless product scans and that jarring swath of gold along the bottom edge.
The packaging made for the Japanese iteration is a lot more appealing, if you ask me. I especially like that the "included products" are illustrations instead of scans.
Thankfully, it seems that the cover art created for the game itself (the scans above are of the boxes that will contain the game, a soundtrack and a commemorative book of some sort) won't be so manhandled between the collection's Japanese and North American release.
Don't believe me? Compare the scan below--of the game's Japanese cover art--to the one shown on the North American packaging scan above.
Kirby 20th Anniversary Collection will hit store shelves in Japan on July 19, while its North American counterpart, Kirby's Dream Collection, will do the same on Sept. 19. Will any of you be picking it up, as I will, on day one or shortly after?
(Via andriasang.com and superphillipcentral.blogspot.com)
The Japanese one is best as it doesn't have the Wii bar at the top or that gold bit like you say. I really like the cover though! If I had a Wii I'd buy it anyway, even if I didn't like the game(s) :P
ReplyDeleteMy God. That bottom design is beautiful and amazing.
ReplyDeleteAh, someone who agrees with me. My favorite thing in the world :P
ReplyDeleteJust kidding. Kind of :)
Anyway, I think it says a lot about the packaging of this game that you'd buy it even if you didn't like the games, Simon!
I'm guessing this means you've never played a Kirby game, BTW? If not, you really should try the first console one, Kirby's Adventure. It's veerrrrry easy, but that's kind of the point, and it's sooooooo charming :)
Justin: Are you talking about the inside cover art? If so, I agree! Gah, Nintendo's designers are so great sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteWhaaaaa! That inside cover art is a lot like the Japanese box art for Kirby Super Deluxe, which is by far my favourite Kirby box art ever :D Thank you for posting this, I now know I have to get the Japanese version!
ReplyDeleteI played one of them for my 'Exploring the NES' feature and I played the Wii one (Epic Yarn, is it?) briefly on a demo unit but that's all. You're right though, being a fan of platformers, it's criminal that I haven't played more of his games really! :P
ReplyDeleteKimimi: Yes, the inside cover art *does* ape the look of the Japanese cover art for Kirby Super Deluxe. I love that "burned onto wood" look, too :) Do you have a Wii? For some reason I didn't realize that, if so...
ReplyDeleteThe bottom one reminds me a lot of the japanese art work for Kirby Super Deluxe (AKA Kirby Super Star) It used a wooden carving of Kirby too so that's pretty cool to see it more detailed.
ReplyDeletehttp://i50.tinypic.com/sdcy85.jpg
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure this is the official USA box art. ;)
Simon: Well, you can't play everything, right? That said, I've found that most if not all of the Kirby games are a joy to play. Most of them are almost criminally easy, but like I said earlier, that seems to be the point. Instead of worrying about dying and stuff like that, you're supposed to have fun running around and flying and enjoying the scenery. Or at least that's been my experience.
ReplyDeleteYes I've got a Wii Bryan and thankfully it's modded so I can buy whatever I want from wherever - not that I do very often, but it's something I'd like to slowly expand upon as prices come down.
ReplyDeleteMotherplayer: Yes, you're absolutely right! Thankfully, it seems the NA inside cover art is largely the same. Regardless, what a great art style, eh?
ReplyDeleteDock: Ha ha! Sadly, I wouldn't at all be surprised if that were the case. Although I think the folks at NOA would add even more scowls than that, don't you? :P
ReplyDeleteKimimi: Ah, I didn't realize! Having a modded Wii is the only way to go, IMO. Really wish I could mod my 3DS so I could play games from any region :( Maybe someday??
ReplyDelete3DS hacking seems pretty unlikely because of its monthly firmware updates and heavy online aspect. Nintendo are being aggressive to the PSP+DS piracy cancer.
ReplyDeleteWhich really really sucks :( EU gamers am cry. I love my modded PS2, and how blissfully region free the PS3 is. They should leave easy hardware region modding in (like GC), and focus on blocking hacks.
Dock: I know it's unlikely, but I can't help but wish for it anyway.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'm not sure I understand why Nintendo allowed all of their handhelds pre-DSi to be region-free and then changed things up after that.
I'm sure they have their reasons, but I doubt I would agree with them.
Anyway, all this means is that at some point I *will* buy a Japanese 3DS. At the moment, I'm just waiting to see if NOJ releases an all-pink 3DS LL. Should that happen, I'll be picking up a Japanese 3DS LL pronto :)
Region locking on the 3DS is a major pain and completely unnecessary in my opinion. Still, news of Monster Hunter 4 has softened the blow enough that I wouldn't mind owning a Japanese 3DS at some point :)
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder if the 3DS being region-locked has to do with the fact that 3DS games, more than ever before for a Nintendo handheld, have online aspects and components?
ReplyDeleteOther than that, though, I really can't imagine why they decided, all of the sudden, to lock down their handhelds.
Oh, well, screw 'em, I say. I'll show them by wasting $200+ of my hard-earned money next year in order to buy a Japanese 3DS :P
WOW! It's amazing!
ReplyDeleteMarco: I love how energetic/positive you always seem to be :)
ReplyDeleteI'm presuming that this will be getting a European release. It better do or someone will get hurt.
ReplyDeleteI would guess so, dste! I don't think it has a release date yet, though :(
ReplyDeleteAt least they didn't turn the big Kirby in the center's smile upside-down for the US cover ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Anne! I honestly expected it. It would have been hilarious, of course, but also kind of horrible :P
ReplyDelete