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Blue Dragon Plus in Japan this September with uninspiring box
This comes as little surprise, since AQ Interactive announced that Blue Dragon Plus would release in the U.S. by the end of the fiscal year, but we're still glad to see a firm Japanese release date for Mistwalker/feelplus's strategy-RPG sequel. It's scheduled to be out September 4, for 5,229 yen ($50).We're slightly less enthused by what AQ Interactive decided to do with the box. It's less "grand adventure" (which is the feeling that most Blue Dragon artwork evokes for us) and more "horrific See 'N Say." The giant, blue, snake-tailed, winged horse says "Neigh! See you in your nightmares!"%Gallery-15148%
Boxart battle: Air Traffic Chaos U.S. vs. Japan
We happened across the American boxart for Air Traffic Chaos, and we couldn't help but notice the speech bubble. "I am an air traffic controller!" the character (who looks a lot like one of those "premium" (pay) emoticons, whose pop-up ads we see occasionally) exclaims, confirming the theory that a game called Air Traffic Chaos is about air traffic control. What we thought at first to be simply a banal explanation of the game is a little more: we remembered that the Japanese name of the same game was Boku wa Kuukou Kanseikan DS, which translates to ... "I Am an Air Traffic Controller DS." We don't understand why the Japanese title had to be plastered across the box like that, but at least it seems slightly less random. Speaking of that Japanese boxart, it's interesting to see the differences in marketing strategy evident from the contrast between the two. Majesco's box is very kid-friendly and cartoony, suggesting a casual, simplistic experience. But the Japanese box is all business: stock photos of airplanes and air traffic controllers hard at work, with a text bar at the bottom stating "You also become an air traffic controller on the DS!" It looks more like a training game than anything.Taxi past the post break for larger images of both boxarts, as well as a couple of examples of what other boxes would look like with the Air Traffic Chaos exposition.
Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo forgoes nipples
Since Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo is risqué in its essence, we're not surprised that the boxart would also be rather ... bold. The blue bar that wraps its way around the cover lets perusers of the box see through the girls' clothes, hence the assaulted looks on their faces.The girl on the left used quick reflexes to cover herself up, while the girl on the right only had a sliver of indecency exposed. The girl in the middle, though? Not so lucky -- not even because her breasts were displayed for gaming consumers to see, but because she has no nipples. Maybe she's related to the guys in Duel Love? Or, maybe that's how you go about proving she's a witch.In all seriousness, we don't expect SNK to put nipples on the front of the box. Maybe they should have gone with a different design, though, so that the girls wouldn't look like ... well, freaks. Still, we know most guys aren't too picky when it comes to this kind of thing, and will enjoy the opportunity to stylus-poke the ladies of the game nonetheless. Oh, and the little pointing hand in the bottom right says "touch," lest your forget your task.
Battle Rage looks fantastic (for the PC)
We immediately cried out, "Bullshots!" when we sighted these screenshots released with Battle Rage: The Robot Wars' Wii press release today, but then we remembered that a PC version of the fighter is also in the works. With a quick comparison comparing the image resolution with other screens for Wii games (and a bit of common sense), we were able to confirm our suspicions that these shots are, indeed, too good to be true. That said, if graphical detail isn't a primary concern for you, jump into the gallery for three new screenshots of the four-player arena combat game. And, while the images might not be for the Wii release, there's no doubt that this European boxart is! The cover actually looks badass, you know, despite Data Design Interactive's out-of-place Popcorn Arcade branding.Details about the actual game: 20 weapons, 10 arenas, 8 robots, special melee/ranged weapons for each robot, customizable robots, arcade mode, team battles, 2036 setting, yadda yadda yadda, convicts trying to earn their freedom by battling mechs for a bored society's entertainment.%Gallery-18871%[Via press release]
Samba de Amigo features some kind of pay-to-play online content
The boxart for the Wii version of Samba de Amigo has now been revealed in tiny form on Gamestop's site. It is, as far as we know, the first game to feature the new red Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Pay-to-Play logo, which was first shown at GDC this year.Either this means that you'll have to pay a subscription fee to play Samba online, or (infinitely more likely) that downloadable songs will be available over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Which, if true, makes the Wii version of Rock Band (with its new lineup of expansion discs!) just that much more insulting. %Gallery-20601%[Via NeoGAF]
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Boxart
Not even the goofy-looking cartoon alien (Shade, just the latest in the endless parade of Sonic the Hedgehog supporting characters, and looking straight out of Invader Zim) can stop this early Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood boxart from looking cool. It's about as simple as it can be -- a hand-drawn picture of Sonic, the alien thing, and the logo. But it's proof that in the hands of a good artist, even just a picture of Sonic can be made appealing.Though both look nice, we're amused by how much the dark, blue- and- purple-dominated artwork contrasts with the color explosion found in the actual game.
FFTA2 boxart just what you expected
But, in all seriousness, isn't it? When looking back at the game and its coverage in Japan, we've all pretty much seen the boxart. Once it was confirmed for release in North America (and dated), we were fairly certain that the U.S. boxart would just be some rearrangement of the Japanese logo for the game. And, here we are.That's not to say we're any less excited about the whole thing, however. We're still dying to get our play on, one turn at a time.%Gallery-5422% Do you enjoy Final Fantasy games? We've got plenty of coverage on the many titles in the franchise Square Enix is releasing on the DS. Also, be sure to check out our 2008 Blips feature, which FFTA 2 was featured in.
Print your own Okami boxart, IGN watermark optional
In order to share the new replacement Okami boxarts with people outside the U.S. (to whom they can't ship the printed copies), Capcom has made the boxarts available as PDF downloads, in a big, take-it-to-Kinko's resolution. Capcom's one-time blunder is becoming more of a boon to fans every day.We checked the new version of the original design for IGN watermarks, and didn't see one. That means that you can place the IGN watermark wherever you'd like! You now have the power to choose the size, location, and opacity of the IGN logo on your Okami boxart. For that matter, you could use any watermark you like!
Box swap: My Weight Loss Coach
Only a week and a half after we questioned Ubisoft's My Weight Loss Coach boxart -- as we've made a habit of doing with the publisher's boxes -- the placeholder art posted on Amazon has been replaced with a much more predictable and bland cover. While weren't sure if we fancied the previous packshot or not, we're very sure about not liking this one. Ubisoft has done away with the old box's minimalist presentation and Don Hertzfeldt-esque stick figures. Instead, the packaging is crowded with the publisher's enlarged logo, the software's bundled pedometer, a stock photo of a running couple, and a looming, slimmed waist. Also, you can now see the same banner and chunky, slab-serif typeface used on Ubisoft's other "My Coach" covers.Bring your disdain past the post break for larger comparison shots of the boxes.%Gallery-15787%
Nanashi no Game looking more and more like a creepy Hotel Dusk
Being an adventure title played with the DS held on its side, it's easy to draw a quick comparison between Square Enix's Nanashi no Game and Cing's Hotel Dusk, but this video walk through of the horror game's 3D halls further pronounces the similarities.Of course, just as Hotel Dusk had its "Take on Me" art direction, Nanashi no Game has its own gimmick -- you've stumbled across a cursed retro RPG (Hydlide?) that is said to kill whoever plays the game within a week. The Ring, much?Interestingly, Square Enix has taken care to take advantage of the DS's speakers to provide 3D sound, so you can actually hear audio cues that really sound like they're coming from behind you. Thus, it's recommended that you play Nanashi no Game with headphones.Bring a flashlight and a kitchen knife into the gallery below for the horror title's boxart, as well as screenshots from Nanashi no Game and its cursed RPG.%Gallery-21570%[Via Game Watch]
Wii Warm Up: Watermarkgate
Capcom did a very admirable job of making up for an error that nobody but snarky bloggers actually cared about. A lot more people cared once we found out that beautiful replacement artwork was available! We wonder, however, how many people actually cared -- how many people were offended who either bought Okami twice or dutifully held on to their Nintendo fandom, firm in the belief that Okami wouldn't be any good without waggle? For us, it was just a few seconds of lulz. We didn't hold anything against Capcom or anything, except that, of course, we would have preferred Wii Fanboy watermarks to IGN's.
Capcom fixes Okami boxart goof awesomely
The Okami boxart issue discovered this week, or Watermarkgate, could have been a huge embarrassment for Capcom. Instead, it's become a totally great situation for everyone who bought the game. Capcom announced via their blog that any Okami owner can receive a free replacement boxart in one of three styles. One is just the normal boxart with (presumably) less IGN advertising, but the other two are beautiful art pieces with no Wii box design conventions.So not only do you get amazing new boxart free from Capcom, you also have a highly collectible "error" art. And there's probably something inside the box, as well -- maybe a game or whatever.%Gallery-16485%[Via Capcom Blog; thanks, Roto13!]
Bleach: Dark Souls gets Japanese boxart for North America
Those of you who've been anxiously awaiting the follow-up to Bleach: The Blade of Fate, know that the wait is finally over. That's right, folks, we now have the boxart for the game. And even though it shows a surprising similarity to the Japanese boxart, we still love it all the same. Oh, you were waiting to play the game? Dude, it's all about the boxart now, nobody plays games anymore.Horrible attempts at humor aside, this has to be one of the most anticipated DS games right now. A good 2D fighter on the DS that works over Wi-Fi?! You better believe it!%Gallery-17918%[Via press release]
What the? Did IGN sneak onto my Okami boxart?
Personal story time, kiddies. I went out this morning to run some errands and pick up Okami, when, as I was leaving the Target, I noticed something weird about the boxart. I didn't recall us posting it on the site, so I spent some time glancing at the cover. It was then I noticed something very weird around Ameratsu's mouth: an IGN watermark."No, I didn't just see that," I told myself, as I placed the game back into the plastic bag the cashier put it in. Then, when I got back to the office, I checked a second time. And there it was again, sitting right where it was when I first spotted it. I quickly got online to see if anyone else caught this and lo and behold, our cruel overlords had reported on a thread at NeoGAF all about this. So yeah, now I feel like I want to return it. I know the watermark shouldn't bother me (it's pretty lultastic), but ... but it just does.%Gallery-16485%[Via Joystiq]
Uh-Ohkami: Capcom botches Okami Wii box art, inadvertently advertises IGN
With all the work that goes into the designing, writing, and programming of a game (especially for a title as hotly anticipated as Capcom's waggle-infused port of the PS2 under-appreciated gem Okami), we assumed that there would be one person at every video game publisher who would give the final retail packaging a once-over, keeping a keen eye out for any typos, printing errors, or hidden watermarks from popular video game news sites. Then again, maybe that's just us. As is the unfortunate case with the Wii Okami box art -- NeoGAF user Bob Digi discovered that right above a permanent "sticker" promoting the game's high score in Play magazine (an unsightly blemish in its own right) sits a fairly clear IGN watermark, the result of the artwork's background being photoshopped from an image on IGN's Okami PS2 site. Then again, perhaps the game underwent some serious changes in its Nintendo transition, and now features protagonist Amaterasu traveling throughout feudal Japan, devouring the logos of major gaming news sites. [Thanks, Riven.]
Boxart battle: Rock Blast vs Trix
We recently came across this cover for UFO Interactive's Rock Blast -- a game we'd never even heard of before -- and immediately thought of, what else, Trix. Juxtaposing the two designs, it's impossible not to see the similarities! Comparing the two releases, though Rock Blast doesn't limit its potential audience to "just kids," Trix, being a breakfast cereal and all, has the advantage of being delicious.Yes, you could argue that Rock Blast's puffed spheres have more color to them, implying richer fruit flavoring, but you're forgetting that Trix is also a good source of whole grain and calcium. No need to feel embarrassed, it's a common mistake. Bring a spoon past the post break and dig into a larger version of the Rock Blast cover.See also: Boxart battle: Emblem of Gundam vs Front Mission 2089
A solemn look at America's MGS4 box
amazon.com has just posted an image which looks like the official US box art for Metal Gear Solid 4. It's a rather classy affair, zooming on Snake's aged face. He looks rather contemplative, his eyes filled with a tiredness only years of war and fighting can create. The colorless box art reminds us that this will be a serious affair, one we're sure will play with our delicate heartstrings quite dramatically.For those with bigger wallets, you may be interested in MGS4's limited edition box, available exclusively at GameStop.[Thanks, Henry!]
Atlus summons Twin Age screens, U.S. boxart
Atlus just dropped a further six screenshots of Summon Night: Twin Age in our laps, and we'll say this much for the game: when you're not busy gawking at some of the finest ARPG greenery around, you can rely on the title to keep the battlegrounds densely populated.Also in our PR package today was the U.S. boxart, as seen above. Equip yourself appropriately and hit our gallery for the screenage.%Gallery-3357%[Via press release]
Rock Band drums and boxart revealed
Click to enlarge image. As disappointing as it was to hear that the Wii version of Rock Band would be closer to the PS2 game than those on next-gen machines, we're not about to start booing the game off stage just yet. Besides, who says the Wii version is inferior in every way to its next-gen brethren? The Rock Band drums, for instance, look absolutely spiffy in Wii white -- we genuinely prefer these to the black versions that appeared on other consoles. Okay, so that's a small victory, but it's a victory nonetheless.Speaking of Rock Band peripherals, GameStop has already listed prices for the drums ($79.99), wireless guitar ($59.99), the game on its own ($49.99), and the Rock Band Special Edition Bundle For Rich Sods ($169.99). Hit the gallery for some boxart goodness.%Gallery-19119%[Via press release]
U.S. boxart for Wii Fit celebrates diversity
The final package design for Nintendo's Wii Fit bundle (game and the Balance Board) does, in fact, feature diversity through not only the ethnic backgrounds of each individual on the cover, but also through their age, and even down to the different play styles one can enjoy Wii Fit with. It's a celebration of individuality and, also, a smart way to market a product. It just shows people, predominantly displayed as they participate in the activities the bundle offers. Nothing to read, nothing to think about, just a visual representation of what you're in for should you sign up. It's a good way to sell it to the mass-market crowd that the Wii has been such a success with.%Gallery-4745%[Via NeoGAF]
