Anyway, this week's write-up will be a Nintendo 64-centric affair, with the first selection being one of my all-time favorite titles (for any system):
Dobutsu no Mori--Don't let the "scan" above fool you: in person, Doubutsu no Mori's cover art is pretty darn appealing. That's mainly because it looks like a postcard, complete with stamps. The logo is a rather nice addition, too, though, as is the appearance of the one and only K.K. Slider in the lower-left corner.
Mario Story--Oh, look, another of my all-time favorite games. How funny that both were made for the sometimes-software-starved Nintendo 64. Anyway, is it just me or does this piece of box art (for the Japanese version of Paper Mario) resemble a pin that you'd wear on your lapel?
Sin and Punishment--Full disclosure: I think I'd like this game's cover imagery even more than I do now if that second logo (along the left edge) weren't mucking up the proceedings. Oh, well, it's still all sorts of fabulous thanks to the sketchy (in a good way) illustration that serves as its centerpiece and its futuristic logo.
Yuke Yuke!! Trouble Makers--Would Mischief Makers (this game's North American name) have sold more if its packaging had looked more like the above? I'm not sure, but it certainly couldn't have hurt. Oh, well, at least those of us who care for such things can pick up a copy of the Japanese version and then stare at it to our hearts' content should we so desire.
Zelda no Densetsu Toki no Ocarina--Of all the pieces of box art showcased in this post, I think this is my favorite. I love its simplicity and elegance and even drama--fitting, considering all of the same words could be used to describe the contents of the cartridge packed inside.
See also: previous 'five favorites' posts
Indeed, the bear is the main source of my affection for this game so far too, and I generally like games with fruits in. Let us know if it has any tricks up its sleeve :P
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the conceptual art used on games like Animal Crossing 64. It takes a little thought to get what they artist is trying to express, but they tend to be a better representation of what's inside the package. For instance, the postcard illustrates the importance of sending and receiving mail in the game. Likewise, the American version of Ikaruga has monochrome artwork, reflecting the game's black and white bullet catching play mechanics. That's not well expressed in the box art for the European and Japanese releases.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I like the conceptual stuff, too, Jess. It isn't attempted all that often, but when it is--and when it's done well--it's really nice. I can't recall the NA box art for Ikaruga, BTW, so I guess I'll have to go hit up the Googles in a second :)
ReplyDeleteThe Sin & Punishment cover is pretty nice. You're right the logon on the left does "muck" it up xD
ReplyDeleteYeah, I mean, it's hardly a bad piece of box art with that sideways logo, but I think it would look even better without it.
ReplyDeleteWill do, Simon! I won't get my hands on it until late March, though, so sit tight until then.
ReplyDeleteYuke Yuke Troublemakers! God...I miss that game. I absolutely regret selling it.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never really even thought about that before, but I have to agree. I guess at the time I was just so happy to see such cool and colorful artwork.
ReplyDeleteA weird thing: This flyer here uses all the same assets and logos (even with a little extra at the bottom) and is the same shape as the box cover, but I don't think it has that problem, it feels so much less crowded.
http://www.gamengai.com/bn_inf.php?id=1101
Well, you could get Mischief Makers instead. It's relatively cheap... although you'll have to hear Marina squeal "Shake shake!" a lot.
ReplyDeleteI think he was talking about Mischief Makers, Jess. Or were you talking to me? If it's the latter, I already have a copy of Yuke Yuke Troublemakers--although I haven't played it, as my N64 is a NA one and I've yet to mod it or get a converter cart :|
ReplyDeleteOh! Well, I know that. I thought he meant that the *Japanese* version of the game was difficult to find, and that he wanted that one specifically.
ReplyDeleteI've never found the US version of Mischief Makers to be especially tough to find... I own two copies of it, because I forgot I already had a copy while I was out shopping. (I wound up with two copies of Tetrisphere for the same reason. I really need to keep my collection better organized...)
It seems to be going for reasonable prices on eBay, judging from a quick search.
I was talking about Mischief Makers. I don't play imports because I have a burning need to know what all text says.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. I was under the impression that Mischief Makers was more expensive than its JP counterpart these days, but I may be wrong. I don't remember spending much on my copy of Yuke Yuke Troublemakers, at least.
ReplyDeleteHey, there's nothing wrong with that, Justin!
ReplyDeleteI love Kumamon and the other chara yuru (basically they are local Japanese mascots)! Kumamon is one of the more famous chara yuru as he won a contest.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to play it. I don't know any Japanese and I highly doubt that they will translate it into English (although I think that Western audiences would like him for being a black bear even though they do not know about his being a mascot).
Another really really cute looking bear Japanese game is called Tomo Kuma. I think there is a higher chance that this one might be translated. I think it would sell well among parents wanting to get child friendly games for their kids.
Yeah, I like this character, too, Sakura, and I could see the game at least selling to a certain niche outside of Japan. I don't really think it's going to be localized for other markets, though--although that's just my opinion!
ReplyDeleteMy copy of this game should ship shortly, by the way, so I should have impressions later this month!