By Unleash a Box Artwork Brawl!
Ignite your engines and ensure your G-Diffuser system is operational because it’s time for yet another edition of Box Artwork Brawl!
Before we dive into this week’s showdown, let’s pause and review what transpired last time. In our previous face-off, we explored two cover designs for Wario World on GameCube — two distinctly different artworks that generated a closely contested battle. The Wario-themed North American/European cover triumphed with 57% of the votes, while the golden Japanese cover followed closely behind with 43%. Waaah, indeed.
With Takaya Imamura’s hopes for Star Fox on Switch 2 still fresh in our minds, we are taking a nostalgic trip back to 1997 and the franchise’s stellar installment, Star Fox 64. We know you don’t require us to elaborate on this one. It was exceptional then. It remains exceptional now. We are eager to see more from McCloud and company.
With Europe and North America opting for remarkably similar designs (except for the European N64 border and ‘Lylat Wars’ title, of course), it’s shaping up to be an engaging 1-on-1 dogfight this week, featuring the horizontal artwork pitted against Japan’s vertical adaptation. We’re excited to see this unfold. Let’s get this show on the road!
Be sure to cast your votes in the poll below; but first, let’s examine the cover art designs themselves.
North America / Europe
What an iconic piece of artwork, right? The Western release focuses on aerial combat (which makes total sense), showcasing Fox and his Arwing flying straight towards us while spaceships and explosions dominate the backdrop. It’s a rather unique composition, looking at it now; however, this image is so ingrained in our memories that we can’t help but adore it.
Japan
Wow, the Japanese version certainly packs in a lot more detail. The Arwing still takes center stage, but this cover also features Fox and his team outside their ships, engaged in action as the dogfight rages behind them. We especially appreciate the looming head of Andross peering out from the central flames, and the way it’s all contained within a ‘Home Outlaw’ badge is quite charming, too. Oof, we have some stiff competition!
Thank you for voting! We’ll see you next time for yet another round of Box Artwork Brawl.
Jim joined Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite claiming that The Minish Cap is the ultimate Zelda game and his steadfast love for Star