Thursday, April 16, 2015

Five favorites: WonderSwan box art

I know I haven't mentioned it in some time, but the wonderfully named WonderSwan handheld continues to intrigue me more than maybe it should.

Actually, that's not completely fair. After all, there's a lot to like about this weird, Japan-only portable and its similarly odd catalog of games. For instance, there's the WonderSwan's unique design, which allows users to hold their systems either in a horizontal or vertical position (depending on the cartridge that's stuck inside, of course).

Also, although quite a few uninteresting (especially to Western audiences) games--many of which could be described as downright turds--were released for the WonderSwan during its relatively short "reign," a good number of quality titles were made available for it, too.

Something that often goes hand in hand with quality games, of course, is quality box art--especially when we're talking about Japanese games.

That's true even when it comes to the lowly WonderSwan, as the following five examples of cover imagery should help prove.


Engacho!--OK, so this particular piece of box art is a bit gross. It's also got a lot of verve, though, and the use of color is nothing short of brilliant, if you ask me. An added bonus: its puzzling gameplay's actually loads of fun.


Hataraku Chocobo--This Final Fantasy spin-off's nearly unknown outside of Japan, which is a shame as it seems pretty interesting. Specifically, it sounds like an Animal Crossing-esque sort of experience, although I'm guessing this Chocobo-centric twist on Nintendo's world-conquering series is quite a bit less deep in the content department.


Mr. Driller--This 2001 port of Namco's classic arcade puzzler is proof that it's been released for pretty much every system imaginable over the years. Not that I'm complaining. I'm beyond thrilled that the WonderSwan got in on the Mr. Driller action--although the thing that's chiefly responsible for my bliss is the beautiful box art seen above.


Rhyme Rider Kerorican--This portable music game was made by the well-regarded crew at NanaOn-Sha, perhaps best known for PaRappa the Rapper, UmJammer Lammy and Vib-Ribbon. Rhyme Rider doesn't quite have the same cachet among gamers as those previously mentioned titles, but at least its cover imagery stacks up to the counterparts of its predecessors rather admirably.


Tane wo Maku Tori--This unique puzzler's box art is, without question, my favorite of the bunch showcased here. I like its use of color, of course, and I also like that it looks as though it was crafted out of pieces of cut-up paper, but there's more to it than that, too. Maybe it's that it gives off slightly melancholy as well as cheerful vibes, much like its in-game graphics?

Do you have any favorite examples of WonderSwan cover art? If so, let me (and everyone else) know about them in the comments section that follows.

See also: previous 'five favorites' posts

26 comments:

Justin Difazzio said...

That last one is gorgeous. I'd be happy to NEVER see the Engacho box art again.

thegaygamer.com said...

Ha! I guess you really hate the Engacho! art, eh?

RetroKingSimon said...

Haha, awesome :) I had a WonderSwan once but the games aren't exactly easy to come by. Least these ones would've looked nice on my shelf if I had found them :P

ZACH said...

That Hataraku Chocobo art is increddibdiebdblbdlebleble! Really wish we had more (understandable/english) info on it. But maybe it's better that we don't exacerbate the fact that we never got it...

thegaygamer.com said...

Which type of WS system did you own, Simon--the original B&W model, the initial Color model, or the swanky SwanCrystal?

As for the games being hard to find, I'm sure that's true when you shop for them in person, but aside from that I've had a pretty easy time finding them on eBay and various online shops.

Sure, sometimes you have to wait a bit to find a particular title, or find it for a price you're worth paying, but I don't think I've even been unable to find a WS title I've looked for--and believe me, I've looked for a lot over the last few years!

In fact, I currently have about 10 WS games, although I still don't have a WS system to play them on XD

thegaygamer.com said...

Yes, it's definitely a shame that so little is known about Hataraku Chocobo outside of Japan, Zach. Hell, I have a feeling not a whole lot is known about it inside of Japan thanks to its age and the fact that it was made for a system that wasn't all that popular.

Some semi-good news here, though, is that I have a copy of th egame and as soon as I nab myself a SwanCrystal (or some sort of WS system, at least), I'm going to give it a go. Granted, my knowledge of the Japanese language continues to be rather limited, but I should still be able to make sense of *some* of what's thrown on me. At any rate, I'll be sure to let folks know what I think of the experience!

Justin Difazzio said...

Heh. I don't really hate it...I just think that seeing it once is enough. Ever.

Inganno said...

I can't imagine the Chocobo series of games are that expensive to develop. Maybe they could approach Spike Chunsoft or h.a.n.d. to work on something like this. Would be nice to see the series return on the 3DS, or in any form in general. Famous last words before a Chocobo F2P game appears on mobile.

ZACH said...

Wha!!!! That's awesome! Yeah, you'll at least have to screw around with it a bit and lemme know what it's like. I really wish the WonderSwan had come out over here, as unpopular as it had been. It had such a bizarre design! The N64 controller of handhelds basically, haha.

ZACH said...

I know what you mean, but from what I understand the last Chocobo game didn't sell all that well over here in the states. Other than the iOS/mobile games, the last one we got was the Mystery Dungeon one for the Wii in 2008 and it wasn't very successful from what I recall. :(


Though I'm alllll over any attempts made at Chocobo Life Sims.

TheGameroomBlitz said...

Bernie "Satan of Saturn" Stolar was supposed to launch the Wonderswan in the United States, which makes me exceedingly glad that never happened.

thegaygamer.com said...

I've got go say that I'm surprised you find that piece of art so revolting, Justin, but I also believe you're free to your opinion! Me, I think it's cute :)

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, yeah, I'll def. screw around with it soon, don't you worry, Zach! Also, I think from now on we all have to call the WS "the N64 controller of handhelds" :)

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, yes, you said this before, Jess! I have a feeling the WS would've bombed spectacularly in NA no matter who had a hand in its launch...

thegaygamer.com said...

I would kill for a remake of this game on 3DS, Inganno, or, of course, another Chocobo Dungeon game for 3DS. Sigh...

thegaygamer.com said...

Gah, but the Wii Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon game was sooooo good, Zach! To the point that I've been meaning to get the "updated" DS version of it for ages now. Maybe soon...

RetroKingSimon said...

I had a Crystal for about a year. Back when I had it (must've been around 2007-ish) I rarely saw any games listed on feeBay, and there were only a few I could realistically get too (language problems). I particularly wanted Golden Axe and Rainbow Islands. If I still had one now I'd want Judgement Silversword, although I think that really *is* hard to find!

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, OK, maybe back then WS games were harder to find, even on eBay. And like I said earlier, even today you'll usually have to wait a while to find specific games (like Golden Axe and Rainbow Islands, I believe!). As for Judgement Silversword, not only is it usually hard to find, but when you do find it, it's EXPENSIVE!

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ZACH said...

Ah, more games to heap on my pile of "Play Before You Die". :')

thegaygamer.com said...

I could say the same thing, Zach--although at least in my case I own most of the games showcased here. I just need to buy a WonderSwan system so I can play them XD

apricotsushi said...

Well look at this! I was Googling about the Wonderswan and came across this post. I'm currently eyeing a boxed copy of Hataraku Chocobo on eBay... And Wonderswans look pretty cheap! So, my question is - do you think I should get a Wonderswan, Bryan? ;)

thegaygamer.com said...

Ha! Well, Anne, I have a feeling not too many people outside of Japan show much interest in the ol' WonderSwan. Hell, I doubt many people inside Japan show an interest in it these days!


Anyway, that's great that you're looking for a copy of Hataraku Chocobo. What prompted that?


I already have a copy of the game, but of course I've yet to play the damn thing XD Of course, how could I when I don't own a WS system?


As for whether or not *you* should buy a WS, well, it wouldn't be right if I tried to convince you otherwise, would it?


That said, most people are going to suggest you buy one of the pricier SwanCrystal systems rather than one of the cheaper WS Colors or even OG WSes, as the latter are supposed to have rather horrid screens. Sadly, I can't confirm or deny that fact--yet!


Regardless, let me know what you end up doing or going with, OK?

apricotsushi said...

Actually, I like collecting all the chocobo games and noticed this was one I don't have! And the box art was gorgeous! I just bought a copy, haha.


I thought for sure you had a WS by now! I think I'm going to stick to just trying out the rom, and if I end up finding a few more WS games I want, then maybe I'll consider getting one...


My main mission at the moment is to get a GameBoy SP so I can play GameBoy Color games... or do you have another suggestion for what system would be best for playing GameBoy and GameBoy Color games?

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, yes, I understand where you're coming from, Anne, as the box art for Hataraku Chocobo *is* really nice!


I also understand not wanting to buy a WS system for just one game and going with the ROM at first.


Me, I've already got 10 WS games, so that's plenty for me to pick up a WS system, I think! Still, I don't yet have one...


As for the best system to use to play GB + GBC games, well, there is the GBC. I really like the GBA SP, too, although I like it more from an aesthetic standpoint than from a usability standpoint.


Also, I really don't like how GB and GBC games don't take up the full screen on the GBA--which I understand is weird, but no one ever said I was normal, right?

apricotsushi said...

Ah, see, this is why I asked you! On Twitter everyone said go for the SP, but I was wondering why I couldn't just get a Color... I didn't realize the games won't take up the full screen on the GBA. I already have the micro, so I might keep that for my GBA games and get a Color for the GameBoy and GB Color titles...