Poll: Box Art Brawl: Duel

Greetings, young Padawans, are you prepared to proceed with your education in the craft of Box Art Brawl?

Before we unite with the Force, let’s reflect on last week, where we witnessed a clash (of the destinies) between two covers for Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. It was the European and Japanese cover that ultimately claimed the high ground, securing 61% of the votes against North America’s 39%. *Insert falling LEGO Yoda sound effect here*

This round, we are returning to a galaxy far, far away — yippee! — as we compare two covers for Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, on the N64. While it may not be quite as adored as its GameCube sequel, this adrenaline-pumping aerial combat game satisfied our Star Wars urge we so desperately sought in the late ’90s, and goodness, we invested countless hours into it!

There are merely the two covers to explore this time (no more, no less), so let’s determine which will rise as the Master, and which will fall as the Apprentice…

Be sure to cast your votes in the poll below; but first, let’s examine the box art designs themselves.

North America / Europe

Wow, this is a stunning piece of artwork! The X-Wing prominently featured, but the European and North American covers focus on the aerial dogfights. It’s one of those where you discover more each time you gaze at it. The TIE Fighter bursting in the background, the AT-ATs wreaking havoc on Mos Eisley below, all depicted in a lovely painterly style. It’s quite impressive, we must admit.

Naturally, the European version also included the classic black border around the edge, yet the artwork remains the same, so we won’t be dividing them this time.

Japan

The Japanese cover is more subdued and less elaborate than the previous illustration we reviewed, trading the ‘action all around!‘ concept for a straightforward duel between an X-Wing and a TIE Fighter. The quest for realism in the visuals means time hasn’t been exceptionally forgiving to this one; however, we admire the moody ambiance it attempts to create. And indeed, the ship ‘blueprints’ at the top and bottom of the box are quite neat.

Thank you for voting! We’ll catch you next time for another edition of Box Art Brawl.