Cover Art PCE vs Turbo Grafx (Image Heavy)

nat · 06/03/2011, 12:00 AM

Yeah, people that get hung up on cover art or only buy games from a certain region because of cover art make me laugh.

I can't think of a time when a game's cover art affected my enjoyment of it. Hell, often times when I buy shit it's loose anyway.

All that said, I think the U.S. cover art for the Bonk games is far superior and much more fitting.

DirkFunk · 06/03/2011, 09:59 AM

With R-Type's American cover it appears they didn't want to sell the fact that the game has huge, awesome bosses.

To me, the WORST American cover is Legendary Axe II. The Japanese version at least fits the mood of the game.

The American one . . . the whole, happy little people swinging axes from the groin area probably didn't sell many copies of the game. I actually like that game quite a bit. Every time I pick it up to play, I look at the cover and a small part of my soul is crushed. I'm honestly considering picking up the PC Engine version.

Dyna138 · 06/03/2011, 08:57 PM

Out of what's posted so far I like Chew Man Fu, Legendary Axe and Time Cruise US artwork. I'm afraid to say I like Valis II, but I always thought it was colorful and well done. I better duck for cover now.

It's rare but occasionally I like the US artwork/box art better. My favorite is probably Air Zonk I love that artwork, I had to get a complete copy with box for it. I also like the US Bonk cover art better except for Revenge, that one is kind of meh.

Keranu · 06/04/2011, 01:50 AM

Good thread! Gotta say, I like the ball color variety in Chew Man Fu

.

How about Winds of Thunder vs Lords of Thunder?

There's less artwork obscured in the Japanese version, but I think the LoT font kicks ass (I think the name sounds cooler too). You think maybe TTi purposely made the title logo so big to censor the little naked fairy things on the bottom?

termis · 06/04/2011, 03:14 AM

Quote from: Keranu on 06/04/2011, 01:50 AMThere's less artwork obscured in the Japanese version, but I think the LoT font kicks ass (I think the name sounds cooler too). You think maybe TTi purposely made the title logo so big to censor the little naked fairy things on the bottom?

I'll agree with Keranu on all points. Winds of Thunder makes me think of serious flatulence. It doesn't even make sense. How does thunder have wind? Or, is it winds that come around when there's thunder, maybe? In any case, it sounds lame.

As just for the cover art, the LoT font does kick ass, though I'm not sure if it's better than leaving the orginal art alone -- At least it gives better focus to the central point of the art (upper torsos of the two characters). I never noticed the naked fairies (because I have LoT), but it is too convenient that the new logo would accidentaly cover up all three 'nekkid fairies, isn't it?

SignOfZeta · 06/04/2011, 12:30 PM

Quote from: Keranu on 06/04/2011, 01:50 AMThere's less artwork obscured in the Japanese version, but I think the LoT font kicks ass (I think the name sounds cooler too). You think maybe TTi purposely made the title logo so big to censor the little naked fairy things on the bottom?

I'm not sure. That might be true, and kind of lame, but I think it has more to do with the irrepressible urge for US publishers to slather as many logos and shit all over everything as possible. Otherwise why would they make the SuperCDROM2 logo %50 bigger?

Fuck, you can barely see the dude in the US version. I guess its better than drawing all new shitty art, but its a bummer they cover up so much of the original. Fucking US publishers...they didn't actually make the game but they want to feel like they own it so they piss on it like a dog to mark it as theirs. The end product is just waste. Wasted money on new cover art, wasted money in committees trying to figure out how to change the name of the game, how to (badly) market it. Money wasted printing those stupid boxes. Why put a CD case in a box that is (or nearly is, depending on the era) identical in size to the CD case? Putting their names in the manual next to the actual creators...ridiculous.

spenoza · 06/04/2011, 01:00 PM

I do like that the US LoT cover has improved contrast. I like that it brings out more of the detail of the art. The Japanese WoT (FART!) cover looks washed out because of the brightness and contrast.

nat · 06/04/2011, 02:42 PM

Zeta does have a point with those logos. Look at the difference in size and number of logos on the two versions! It's ridiculous. One or two more of those giant logos and the entire image would be obscured.

SignOfZeta · 06/04/2011, 04:13 PM

Quote from: guest on 06/04/2011, 01:00 PMI do like that the US LoT cover has improved contrast. I like that it brings out more of the detail of the art. The Japanese WoT (FART!) cover looks washed out because of the brightness and contrast.

Do we know that's actually the case? Is it just a matter of who scanned the art here, how they scanned it, the condition of the copies they scanned, or variations over different print runs. I have multiple copies of some CDs/records that vary in print quality and contrast even though they are from the same era, publisher, etc.

roflmao · 06/04/2011, 07:52 PM

Yeah, I just received a second copy of Daytona USA for the Saturn (because one copy just isn't enough!) and the disc face print is much darker than my original. And I can't imagine it's a bootleg or anything like that since it was such a common game back in the day.

spenoza · 06/04/2011, 08:28 PM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 06/04/2011, 04:13 PM
Quote from: guest on 06/04/2011, 01:00 PMI do like that the US LoT cover has improved contrast. I like that it brings out more of the detail of the art. The Japanese WoT (FART!) cover looks washed out because of the brightness and contrast.
Do we know that's actually the case? Is it just a matter of who scanned the art here, how they scanned it, the condition of the copies they scanned, or variations over different print runs. I have multiple copies of some CDs/records that vary in print quality and contrast even though they are from the same era, publisher, etc.

I know what I see. I have two scans to examine and that's what I think of them. If there are variations in print quality, great.

SuperPlay · 06/06/2011, 02:03 PM

Added:

King of Casino & TV Sports Football

DirkFunk · 06/08/2011, 02:51 PM

JP Silent Debuggers: Is that where they got the design from Master Chief from?

US Ninja Spirit: Looks like they took the Japanese art and recreated it in Paint on an Apple IIgs.

Dyna138 · 06/08/2011, 03:52 PM

Quote from: DirkFunk on 06/08/2011, 02:51 PMJP Silent Debuggers: Is that where they got the design from Master Chief from?

US Ninja Spirit: Looks like they took the Japanese art and recreated it in Paint on an Apple IIgs.

I was thinking the same thing when I saw the JP Silent Debuggers cover. I don't like either Ninja Spirit cover...you'd think at least the ninja on the JP cover would look more like the in game main character.

DirkFunk · 06/08/2011, 04:36 PM

Quote from: Dyna138 on 06/08/2011, 03:52 PM
Quote from: DirkFunk on 06/08/2011, 02:51 PMJP Silent Debuggers: Is that where they got the design from Master Chief from?

US Ninja Spirit: Looks like they took the Japanese art and recreated it in Paint on an Apple IIgs.
I was thinking the same thing when I saw the JP Silent Debuggers cover. I don't like either Ninja Spirit cover...you'd think at least the ninja on the JP cover would look more like the in game main character.

They probably didn't think the character was Ninja-y enough.

SuperPlay · 06/24/2011, 05:39 PM

Added:

Paranoia / Psychosis

Veigues Tactical Gladiator

Keranu · 06/24/2011, 07:22 PM

Never seen the Japanese covers for Paranoia and Veigues before. They both kick ass, especially Veigues! The US cover for Psychosis is cool too, I also think "Psychosis" is a slightly cooler name than "Paranoia".

ParanoiaDragon · 06/25/2011, 04:14 PM

Quote from: Keranu on 06/24/2011, 07:22 PMI also think "Psychosis" is a slightly cooler name than "Paranoia".

Hey!! I resemble that remark!!

SuperPlay · 07/07/2011, 04:33 PM

Added Alien Crush and Necaris/Military Madness

I prefer the Japanese cover in both cases

Dyna138 · 07/07/2011, 06:03 PM

Quote from: SuperPlay on 07/07/2011, 04:33 PMAdded Alien Crush and Necaris/Military Madness

I prefer the JAP cover in both cases

I kinda like the US Alien Crush, but there's no comparison between Nectaris and MM, the JP artwork is awesome.

apachacha · 07/08/2011, 04:12 AM

Was the US Bravoman cover done by the same person who brought us this atrocity by any chance ?

SuperPlay · 07/11/2011, 12:17 PM

Added:

TV Sports Basketball & Hockey

Not a lot of differences!

and World Court Tennis

SignOfZeta · 07/11/2011, 12:25 PM

I've always loved the JP World Court Tennis cover. The US cover seems to be trying to give the game some kind of realistic/grown-up image which, if you've played the game, you'd know is a ridiculous idea.

Keranu · 07/11/2011, 05:09 PM

Dig the PCE World Court Tennis cover!

Is there anyone else that agrees with me that the US Valis II cover is nicer than the PCE? The PCE cover is so stale and flat, while the American is more fleshed out, imaginative, and colorful.

I think the Japanese Valis III cover is even worse, but at least the characters aren't crudely drawn like the US.

BlackandBlue · 07/12/2011, 03:59 PM

The US Chew-Man-Fu looks more badass then Be Ball. Surprised they kept the Asian looking person on the cover and didnt turn it into a Caucasian fella.

nat · 07/12/2011, 08:22 PM

Quote from: Keranu on 07/11/2011, 05:09 PMDig the PCE World Court Tennis cover!

Is there anyone else that agrees with me that the US Valis II cover is nicer than the PCE? The PCE cover is so stale and flat, while the American is more fleshed out, imaginative, and colorful.

I agree with this. I think this is only the second agreement we've ever had on anything, ever....

Keranu · 07/12/2011, 10:11 PM

Shanghai and Valis II are all that really matter in life.

Dyna138 · 07/14/2011, 08:44 PM

Quote from: Keranu on 07/11/2011, 05:09 PMIs there anyone else that agrees with me that the US Valis II cover is nicer than the PCE? The PCE cover is so stale and flat, while the American is more fleshed out, imaginative, and colorful.

I mentioned this before and I'm glad I'm not alone. I like it too I think its colorful and well done, Valis III on the otherhand.....ugh!

apachacha · 07/15/2011, 11:45 AM

Quote from: Keranu on 07/11/2011, 05:09 PMDig the PCE World Court Tennis cover!

Is there anyone else that agrees with me that the US Valis II cover is nicer than the PCE? The PCE cover is so stale and flat, while the American is more fleshed out, imaginative, and colorful.

I dunno, II's not impresive, but the cover looks like what you get in the game.

US III's definitely worse then both though, simply because the characters in the game look nothing like that hideous Red Sonja wannabe.....but it's worse because it stil has stils from the game !

spenoza · 07/16/2011, 11:24 AM

I have to say I like the US Dragon Spirit cover better. The JPN cover is more consistent with the anime styling that was popular for everything at the time the game was created, but you don't see much of the actual characters in-game, and in that respect I think the US cover reflects the game itself better. That and I kinda like the soft art on the US cover. I dare say I think it's actually a somewhat successful art cover. Dungeon Explorer tried something similar but didn't pull it off nearly as well.

SuperPlay · 07/17/2011, 07:30 AM

Added:

Doraemon: Meikyuu Daisakusen / Cratermaze

PacLand

_Paul · 07/17/2011, 08:49 AM

So far the only US cover I prefer is King of Casino, parhaps TV Sports Football as well but it's a close thing.

Marll · 07/18/2011, 04:14 PM

Pretty much all of the US art was total crap, and partly to blame for the TG16 marketing failure. When looking at some of the lame covers that the games had, it's no wonder that more people looked at Genesis art and went that direction. Even at 12 in 1989 I could have made better decisions about what art to use on the game boxes and covers, and bemoaned it constantly even as a kid.

The smart (and likely cheaper way) way to market the games would have been to make small icon tweaks and English translations to the Japenese art and just release it here. Overall just another example of how the marketing arm of NEC in the US was bad at best, criminally negligent at worst

SignOfZeta · 07/18/2011, 04:47 PM

Genesis art was just as bad, possibly worse.

_Paul · 07/18/2011, 04:52 PM

Quote from: Marll on 07/18/2011, 04:14 PMEven at 12 in 1989 I could have made better decisions about what art to use on the game boxes and covers, and bemoaned it constantly even as a kid.

Same here. I never understood why Japanese art for many systems was disregarded. The Japanese art was exotic and exciting and made me want games more. Suits never thought that way.

nat · 07/18/2011, 07:24 PM

Perhaps you're (by that, I mean everyone) thinking about it the wrong way.

We know the region lockout was there not to "screw" us in the American market, but to prevent the "edited" U.S. versions from re-entering the Japanese market.

What if the alternate U.S. art was something that NEC Japan stipulated alongside the region lockout to prevent any sort of "regional" confusion? The "bad" art makes a lot more sense in this scenario, too. Say NEC of America is going to release these games, but Japan is mandating unique artwork. In true NEC of America (later TTi) form, they farm the work out to the cheapest session artists they can find and the rest is history.

apachacha · 07/19/2011, 01:49 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/18/2011, 04:52 PM
Quote from: Marll on 07/18/2011, 04:14 PMEven at 12 in 1989 I could have made better decisions about what art to use on the game boxes and covers, and bemoaned it constantly even as a kid.
Same here. I never understood why Japanese art for many systems was disregarded. The Japanese art was exotic and exciting and made me want games more. Suits never thought that way.

But Paul, it's like.....Oriental, it's full of pervertedness and satanism ! Think of our white,catholic, suburban children !

Gao · 07/19/2011, 04:31 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/18/2011, 04:52 PM
Quote from: Marll on 07/18/2011, 04:14 PMEven at 12 in 1989 I could have made better decisions about what art to use on the game boxes and covers, and bemoaned it constantly even as a kid.
Same here. I never understood why Japanese art for many systems was disregarded. The Japanese art was exotic and exciting and made me want games more. Suits never thought that way.

My understanding is that it's often focus groups. A while back, I read a post on another forum who managed to get on one that dealt with the cover art for I think one of the Street Fighter compilations. He was all for the Japanese art, but most of the people actually said that they preferred the art that most gamers didn't like as much. This wasn't as extreme, with I think the issue being a shot of Ryu alone vs. a group shot, neither of them being terrible, but it was still interesting. And this sort of stuff isn't only used for box art. The most insane example of focus groups leading a gaming company astray that I'm aware of happened with the Atari Lynx. The focus groups said that the Lynx, a rather large portable system, wasn't big enough. I shit you not. They honestly said that they'd feel they got their money's worth more with a larger console, and this information was used to create the butt-ugly monstrosity that was the first model of the Lynx.

shubibiman · 07/19/2011, 05:15 PM

It sounds so...american! No offense intended but that's quite the cliche here in France.

apachacha · 07/19/2011, 05:34 PM

Quote from: Gao on 07/19/2011, 04:31 PM. The focus groups said that the Lynx, a rather large portable system, wasn't big enough. I shit you not. They honestly said that they'd feel they got their money's worth more with a larger console, and this information was used to create the butt-ugly monstrosity that was the first model of the Lynx.

OMG then that means the CD-I was the best console ever O.O

CrackTiger · 07/19/2011, 07:26 PM

Quote from: shubibiman on 07/19/2011, 05:15 PM

It sounds so...american! No offense intended but that's quite the cliche here in France.

Maybe this guy was part of that focus group-

/justin_cheer/fuckyeah!.jpg

SignOfZeta · 07/19/2011, 07:55 PM

My God that picture is fucking terrifying.

PunkCryborg · 07/19/2011, 08:54 PM

I didn't realize that Cratermaze was Doreamon. Learn something new everday! Also Silent Debuggers US art is such a shame, the Japanese cover is pretty darn awesome. I know that if I was a kid and saw that I'd want to play it.

ccovell · 07/19/2011, 09:29 PM

Actually, Cratermaze is the original game (a port of Hore Hore Kid Daisakusen from the arcade (same music, too!); became "Booby Boys" on other home systems.) Doraemon is the game with the tacked-on character license.

apachacha · 07/20/2011, 02:06 AM

Quote from: guest on 07/19/2011, 07:26 PM
Quote from: shubibiman on 07/19/2011, 05:15 PM

It sounds so...american! No offense intended but that's quite the cliche here in France.
Maybe this guy was part of that focus group-

/fuckyeah!.jpg

......Does anyone else think that guy has far too short arms ?

RR1980 · 07/20/2011, 03:02 AM

Quote from: ccovell on 07/19/2011, 09:29 PMActually, Cratermaze is the original game (a port of Hore Hore Kid Daisakusen from the arcade (same music, too!); became "Booby Boys" on other home systems.) Doraemon is the game with the tacked-on character license.

that's very interesting I have alway wondered why a Doreamon game would have this particular game play/game engine.

shubibiman · 07/20/2011, 05:43 AM

Quote from: ccovell on 07/19/2011, 09:29 PMActually, Cratermaze is the original game (a port of Hore Hore Kid Daisakusen from the arcade (same music, too!); became "Booby Boys" on other home systems.) Doraemon is the game with the tacked-on character license.

Wow! Thanks for the info! I didn't that!

SuperPlay · 07/20/2011, 03:30 PM

Added:

USA Pro Basketball / Takin' It To The Hoop

apachacha · 07/20/2011, 04:12 PM

Quote from: RR1980 on 07/20/2011, 03:02 AM
Quote from: ccovell on 07/19/2011, 09:29 PMActually, Cratermaze is the original game (a port of Hore Hore Kid Daisakusen from the arcade (same music, too!); became "Booby Boys" on other home systems.) Doraemon is the game with the tacked-on character license.
that's very interesting I have alway wondered why a Doreamon game would have this particular game play/game engine.

Not like Dorabian nights was anything groundbreaking or not rehashed.

SuperPlay · 08/14/2011, 03:32 PM

Small update:

Sherlock Holmes No Tantei Kouza / Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Vol 1