Games where IGDB ruined the box art
Look what they did to my boy.
This is a collection of games that have "better" box art with different regional releases (often the original Japanese release, for instance) but since IGDB is very focused on using Western Box Art, there's a very noticeable change when the box art is replaced. I'm not actually certain if all of these games originally had the Japanese Box Art over the Western Box Art for the record (or sometimes even PAL Box Art), so this is more or less a list of the fad in general.
Obviously this is a very subjective list, so suggestions will happily be taken. Looking for some great discourse here. Bonus points if you include a link to the original (better) box art, I'll link to it via notes. See here for some broader examples.
UPDATE: Thanks to Pangburn, we now have a better understanding of the games in this list that were actually a victim of IGDB's more controversial box art changing edits. They have been moved and sorted to the front of this list. Everything after Metal Gear Solid does not appear to have been a direct victim, but have been included as an example of this trope and are here for your viewing pleasure.
This is a collection of games that have "better" box art with different regional releases (often the original Japanese release, for instance) but since IGDB is very focused on using Western Box Art, there's a very noticeable change when the box art is replaced. I'm not actually certain if all of these games originally had the Japanese Box Art over the Western Box Art for the record (or sometimes even PAL Box Art), so this is more or less a list of the fad in general.
Obviously this is a very subjective list, so suggestions will happily be taken. Looking for some great discourse here. Bonus points if you include a link to the original (better) box art, I'll link to it via notes. See here for some broader examples.
UPDATE: Thanks to Pangburn, we now have a better understanding of the games in this list that were actually a victim of IGDB's more controversial box art changing edits. They have been moved and sorted to the front of this list. Everything after Metal Gear Solid does not appear to have been a direct victim, but have been included as an example of this trope and are here for your viewing pleasure.
152 Games
128 Comments
Megaman X (1993) as well
US megaman box art washes the lame ass japanese stuff sorry bro
All good man, you're not the first one to bring that up to me haha
It's more or less there for the discourse, glad it's doing the job
It's more or less there for the discourse, glad it's doing the job
Einhander.
Still cool but not the same.
Still cool but not the same.
Also the link for the kirby one is not working properly, this one should do it:
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/kirby/images/9/9b/KSqSq_Boxart_J.jpg
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/kirby/images/9/9b/KSqSq_Boxart_J.jpg
symphony of the night is an obvious one.
i wish we had an alternative to igdb. they're so annoying to deal with. https://i.imgur.com/WKC04p0.png
i wish we had an alternative to igdb. they're so annoying to deal with. https://i.imgur.com/WKC04p0.png
List has been updated with the suggested additions so far!
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sorry for the spam parasite eve weird colours and positioning https://imgur.com/a/PD1Vyg5
Good list. Add Rondo of Blood, IGDB box art is literally a fan edit https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/castlevania/images/8/88/Castlevania_-Rondo_of_Blood-_01.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20220503000925
Shame because the original logo is cool as fuck
Your link to Rondo of Blood is turning up a blank image for me, do you have another link?
Oh my b, try this https://imgur.com/a/9MPozA1
That works, added it in. Thanks!
It's not even that they are Western, the Ico cover in Europe is gorgeous but this site uses that hideous US version.
I'm surprised you have FFXII here though, I love that cover it's gorgeous. The UK version is bland in comparison.
I'm surprised you have FFXII here though, I love that cover it's gorgeous. The UK version is bland in comparison.
I did a bit of scouting on the internet before making this list and FF XII actually showed up a few times as one of the main contenders here. Personally I think it's definitely one of the less egregious examples here (if not even a downgrade to begin with), but I did want to include a bigger berth of examples for the list.
TBH given Karnaaj is largely known FOR the terrible box art of that version I feel like it should be the one used anyway. The worst box art change is Symphony of the Night. I prefer the original FF12 over the one they used too.
Your link to the other Silent Hill Homecoming box art just links a super tiny thumbnail.
Your link to the other Silent Hill Homecoming box art just links a super tiny thumbnail.
Fixed Silent Hill Homecoming's link, thanks!
Yeah, I can definitely see where you're coming from with Karnaaj. It's sort of a similar situation with the Phalanx box art (and if you really wanted to stir the pot, possibly the Mega Man 1 and 2 box art) where they've become so well known for the unexpected box art that we tend to not view them in any way outside of what they have now for US box art. They've been included anyways since I know this list is very subjective and opinions will widely vary; I tried to include a broader scale here to get more perspectives.
Yeah, I can definitely see where you're coming from with Karnaaj. It's sort of a similar situation with the Phalanx box art (and if you really wanted to stir the pot, possibly the Mega Man 1 and 2 box art) where they've become so well known for the unexpected box art that we tend to not view them in any way outside of what they have now for US box art. They've been included anyways since I know this list is very subjective and opinions will widely vary; I tried to include a broader scale here to get more perspectives.
MGS3 (the Snake Eater version)
Both JP and EU box arts are infinitely better:
https://images.launchbox-app.com/9e022427-7d6c-4692-8b56-db96924b7592.jpg
https://images.launchbox-app.com/f973791e-28f9-4350-8974-0758eaa50a65.jpg
Both JP and EU box arts are infinitely better:
https://images.launchbox-app.com/9e022427-7d6c-4692-8b56-db96924b7592.jpg
https://images.launchbox-app.com/f973791e-28f9-4350-8974-0758eaa50a65.jpg
Added Ace Combat 3 and MGS3!
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
https://s.pacn.ws//1500/1l/pa.28510.1.jpg?v=qmmg53&width=760
Halo Combat Evolved
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511QYNDQ12L.jpg
Shadow Dancer
https://images.nintendolife.com/games/megadrive/shadow_dancer_the_secret_of_shinobi/cover_large.jpg
https://s.pacn.ws//1500/1l/pa.28510.1.jpg?v=qmmg53&width=760
Halo Combat Evolved
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511QYNDQ12L.jpg
Shadow Dancer
https://images.nintendolife.com/games/megadrive/shadow_dancer_the_secret_of_shinobi/cover_large.jpg
More seriously-
Gunstar Heroes
https://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/126124-gunstar-heroes-genesis-front-cover.jpg
Nex Machina
https://cdn-products.eneba.com/resized-products/300px-Nex_Machina_cover_350x200_3x-0.jpg
Shadow of the Colossus
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DMbWgjuUMAAbiua.jpg
Gunstar Heroes
https://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/126124-gunstar-heroes-genesis-front-cover.jpg
Nex Machina
https://cdn-products.eneba.com/resized-products/300px-Nex_Machina_cover_350x200_3x-0.jpg
Shadow of the Colossus
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DMbWgjuUMAAbiua.jpg
Added all those suggestions, thanks!
Silent Hill 1 (EU/JP both are better):
https://images.launchbox-app.com/03719d84-ae48-41bb-8ece-1e403c09cee2.jpg
https://images.launchbox-app.com/c8453b0c-097e-4e0d-b821-b64048a6e2c8.jpg
Silent Hill 2 (same as 1, not as bad as 1 though):
https://e.snmc.io/lk/o/x/b4b59a86a8b1df229e505c821671805e/5288534
https://images.launchbox-app.com/484f5c52-88d4-4878-8c38-8daef1c009c1.jpg
Silent Hill 3 (EU/JP, also not as bad as 1 and better than 2):
https://images.launchbox-app.com/a0e2988e-6250-41a8-93fb-610ca9e64a1f.jpg
https://e.snmc.io/lk/o/x/1d69701c9ac9baad5eaa830cac51f301/5288532
https://images.launchbox-app.com/03719d84-ae48-41bb-8ece-1e403c09cee2.jpg
https://images.launchbox-app.com/c8453b0c-097e-4e0d-b821-b64048a6e2c8.jpg
Silent Hill 2 (same as 1, not as bad as 1 though):
https://e.snmc.io/lk/o/x/b4b59a86a8b1df229e505c821671805e/5288534
https://images.launchbox-app.com/484f5c52-88d4-4878-8c38-8daef1c009c1.jpg
Silent Hill 3 (EU/JP, also not as bad as 1 and better than 2):
https://images.launchbox-app.com/a0e2988e-6250-41a8-93fb-610ca9e64a1f.jpg
https://e.snmc.io/lk/o/x/1d69701c9ac9baad5eaa830cac51f301/5288532
I think MML1 also has pretty bad box art on IGDB. they also recently Swapped the Tron-Bonne games boxart to something significantly more ugly.
Also, compare the Chulip art on here to the JP box art: https://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/262353-chulip-playstation-2-front-cover.jpg
Also, compare the Chulip art on here to the JP box art: https://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/262353-chulip-playstation-2-front-cover.jpg
List has been updated again. Poor Mega Man just can't catch a break it seems lmao
and they're still refusing to update the ff6 pixel remaster box art to the game's actual box art on steam. these people are ridiculous.
Reddish
1 year ago