Monday, May 20, 2013

Let's Play: 'Which Box Art is Better?' (New Super Luigi U edition)

After seeing the adorably (some might say overly) green box art for New Super Luigi U, I couldn't help but dedicate a "Which Box Art is Better?" post to it and its Mario-branded predecessor.

Before we get to our verdicts, though, I probably should point out that the digital version of New Super Luigi U will hit the Wii U eShop on June 20 (in North America) carrying a price tag of $19.99, while the boxed version will follow on Aug. 25 and cost $29.99.

Is the retail release's packaging worth an extra $10? I'm not sure I'd go that far, but I'd certainly go so far as to say I find it pretty darn appealing.


That said, how does it compare to the cover art produced for last year's New Super Mario Bros. U? Fairly well, I think.


Don't take that to mean that I unquestionably prefer New Super Luigi U's box art to New Super Mario Bros. U's. In fact, at the moment, I think I slightly prefer the latter to the former--mainly because it seems brighter and more colorful.

Do you prefer one to the other? If so, which one do you prefer?

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

29 comments:

Justin Difazzio said...

I prefer the Luigi box art mostly because it's green. Umm...now I have a dilemma. I want that box, but I think $30 is a little steep...

michaelstearns said...

I also like the green box, though more for its compliment to the NSMB Wii red box than this blue one. I really like those color variation boxes! What really tips it over for me is the forest background with the sunlight coming in through the canopy, I just like that background better.

Chalgyr said...

Definitely willing to go green on this one. Looks awesome imo. :)

thegaygamer.com said...

Yes, I agree that the green box is nice. As for whether or not I'll spend $10 more to get it, though, is another question!

thegaygamer.com said...

Seems I'm going to be the odd man out again today. Oh, well! Anyway, I agree that the different box color is nice, as is the forest background of this piece of cover art. I still prefer NSBMU's box art myself, but I like the NSLU one, too.

thegaygamer.com said...

Does that mean you'll be picking up the physical/retail version of the game, Chalgyr, or will you be going with the digital one despite your love of the green case and cover art?

Zaphod65 said...

The original is better in terms of color, but I like the Luigi box more just for the part where "Bros." is crossed out like Luigi is claiming his own game from Mario. I like the attitude of it.


It's a moot point for me since I'll be buying the digital version off the eShop.

thegaygamer.com said...

I hear you, Zaphod, and I like that little detail, too. Also, I can't help but like the green box/case for various reasons.


As for which version I'll be buying: well, I'm not sure. Of course, it's likely I won't have a Wii U for a while yet, so I guess there isn't much point to me worrying about it until then.

Johnny said...

I'm kinda with U on this, but really they're both cute and attractive to me. Deep down I wish the box art and game were less conservative and safe, but that's for another time.

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, I agree with you Johnny--both that the box art for these games as well as the games themselves (art style, gameplay, etc.) were less conservative.


Seriously, as much as I liked NSMBW, and as much as I'm guessing I'll like NSMBU (and NSLU), when's Nintendo going to try a new art style for the Mario series? Or even try something new gameplay-wise, a la SMB2/USA?


Thankfully, I think that day may be nearer than ever based on the reaction (so far) to NSMBU. Fingers crossed!

apricotsushi said...

I really love the green color of the box itself! But I'd have to side with you, Bryan, and say that I like the original box a tad better.


I have a bit of a silly reason – I think the way they've crammed all of the characters on the cover doesn't look natural at all. Why would Nabbit be behind Luigi? He's a character that you have to chase through levels, so it seems silly to put him there. Also, that baby Yoshi seems totally out of place and adds nothing to the box itself. I also don't like how the blue Toad is directly below Luigi... The original Mario Bros. U box is still a tad cramped, but at least it fits all of the characters in in a way that makes more sense!

thegaygamer.com said...

Hey, someone who agrees with me. Sound the trumpets! :P


I think you're right, by the way, that the placement of the characters on the Luigi box art is a bit off. Not way off, mind you, but at least slightly off.


Anyway, I'll definitely wait to pick up this game until after I've tried NSMBU. I mean, there's no reason to buy both before I've decided I like NSBMU, right? And even then, two 2D Mario-ish games may be too much for me.


I guess we'll see!

Monster_Hunter2882 said...

I like the green case but I don't want it bad enough to spend $10 extra for it.

I'm going to go slightly off topic here. I think if they make more character centric DLC like this they should make one for peach but they probably wont and would make that stupid "she wears a dress" excuse like they did with NSMB Wii (even though she wore a dress in SMB2).

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, I'd kill for Peach-centric DLC this line, MH2882! Like you said, though, Nintendo won't give it to us. Maybe with their next console? :P

MimiPRGameFreak said...

I like the green case mostly than the original one. The color green stands out more compare with the blue case. But when it comes to details, I like the blue case when it comes to details. Luigi's case has good details, but it feels like they just pasted everyone on the box. Not like in Mario's case the details blend.

apricotsushi said...

Okay, I had to come back and point out that I'm wrong about one thing: Nabbit is a playable character this time around! Apparently he's replacing Mario, so I guess it makes more sense as to why he's behind Luigi. Don't get me started on making an enemy character playable instead of Peach, though. Grr!

And check out this odd description of his abilities "The new character, Nabbit, plays a little differently to the others. Whilst he won't be able to get power-ups, he also won't be able to be hurt by damage, so presumably functions as an entry level character for younger players or those unfamiliar with the game."



Weird! And did you know that the boxed version of New Super Luigi U will be stand alone, so you don't actually have to have a copy of NSMBU to play it? So I suppose you could always pick that one up instead if you were so inclined ;)

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, yeah, I hear you about making Nabbit a playable character over Peach, Anne. Seriously, I sometimes (often) think the folks at Nintendo of Japan are more than a little sexist :|


As for Nabbit not taking damage: that's ... weird. I'm guessing he can die by falling into pits, etc., though?


I'll still probably pick up NSMBU before picking up this game, Anne -- unless I read everywhere that NSLU is by far the better game.

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, it sounds like you and Anne have the same issues with New Super Luigi U's box, Mimi. I can get behind that! Of course, it also sounds like, in the end, you like both boxes at least a bit--as do I!


Thanks for the follow and the comment, by the way. Both are very much appreciated!

Monster_Hunter2882 said...

I'd also love to see a New Super Wario Bros U DLC were we get a to play as both Wario and Waluigi if they won't make Peach DLC but I'm thinking New Super Luigi U will be the only piece of DLC and to be honest I'm OK with that. I'd like to have money for other games and maybe a PS4.

thegaygamer.com said...

I have a feeling this is it for DLC for this game, MH2882--although I'd love to be proven wrong.


Speaking of Wario: I really hope we get another Wario Land game this generation--either on 3DS or Wii U.

Monster_Hunter2882 said...

I'd be surprised if there wasn't a Wario Land this gen. Hopefully the next one still has the 2D hand-drawn art style Shake It had. I'm also kinda of hoping Wario World gets a sequel even though I can't remember it very well.

thegaygamer.com said...

I'll take whatever Wario I can get, MH2882. Well, with the possible exception of Game & Wario--which doesn't look terrible, mind you, but also isn't quite what I was looking for/expecting.

diaglyph said...

<3 Luigi


nuff said :p

Monster_Hunter2882 said...

I'm thinking Game & Wario won't be as fun as Wario Ware at least in single player, I can see it being the better multi player experience though. Apparently at one point Game and Wario was supposedly going to be the Wii U's pack in game instead of Nintendo Land and not have Wario in it. I think they made the right choice making NL the pack in game.

(The article I found this info at http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=202974 )

thegaygamer.com said...

I agree, MH2882. It's not that G&W looks bad, but it doesn't look as fun as a regular old Wario Ware game either. Oh, and, YES, I agree about Nintendo Land, too. I know some folks hate it--or at least hate the idea of it--but it certainly seems like a better idea than packing in G&W without Wario in it.

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh my god--$60 for this game in Australia? I guess Nintendo isn't expecting many Australians to buy it. Of course, you guys are often treated terribly when it comes to game prices, aren't you?

diaglyph said...

Yup its pretty typical.
$60 (or $59 to be exact, since it's all about how it looks when it comes to prices *eyeroll*) is kinda stupid price. It's double what you guys will pay. I think $10-$15 more than US price would've made it much more attractive.

thegaygamer.com said...

Well, hopefully the digital version will be cheaper at least. That should be the case, right?

diaglyph said...

If the physical is anything to go by, I reckon the DLC will likely be at least $30? But I reckon very likely to be $40.