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
Less egregious than the others on this list though the color sat is strange, also slightly different placing of Aya
https://imgur.com/a/PD1Vyg5
https://imgur.com/a/PD1Vyg5
https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_original/co3bb5.png
Note that igdb also split the page into its previous original release on PSP/PC and into the "remaster" being released this September.
Note that igdb also split the page into its previous original release on PSP/PC and into the "remaster" being released this September.
Back on the list for another round because IGDB's done it again!
Originally looked like this (PAL): https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cf/Castlevania_SOTN_PAL.jpg
Originally looked like this (PAL): https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cf/Castlevania_SOTN_PAL.jpg
ANGERY EYEBROWS
(not going to list every Kirby release since this is more or less the trope within a series)
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/kirby/images/9/9b/KSqSq_Boxart_J.jpg
(not going to list every Kirby release since this is more or less the trope within a series)
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/kirby/images/9/9b/KSqSq_Boxart_J.jpg
Why did they change the Super Famicom page to the 2015 iOS release lol
Who made a separate page for the ports...
The old page was supposed to be for the original itch.io version, which has now been changed to the Steam logo, an entirely different game.
Old itch.io box art: https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_original/co2jrc.png
Old itch.io box art: https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_original/co2jrc.png
Couldn't find a perfect Japanese counterpart to this horrific masterpiece but here's the closest I could find: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/bubblebobble/images/7/7d/BAM2EX.jpg/revision/latest/top-crop/width/360/height/450?cb=20140710215930
Separate page for the DS version
A new page for Dragon Quest V specifically for the Super Famicom and only for the Super Famicom
Remaster of the original with worse box art
https://neverendingrealm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Final-Fantasy-IX-Box-Art.jpg
https://neverendingrealm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Final-Fantasy-IX-Box-Art.jpg
The actual art on Steam looks like this
129 Comments
1990 Bomberman for PC-Engine/TurboGrafx-16.
https://www.backloggd.com/games/bomberman--2/
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Bomberman-PC-Engine-JPN-Box-Art.jpg
https://www.backloggd.com/games/bomberman--2/
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Bomberman-PC-Engine-JPN-Box-Art.jpg
Might be a bit contentious but I think Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition should be here too: the regular boxart is fine and fits RE4's more action-orientated tone....but oh my god the EU one is simply GORGEOUS https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wii/images/c/c0/Re4wiiboxart.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20070817202604
Mentioned this in my review, but the current box art for Kao the Kangaroo: Round 2 is far inferior to the US version: https://imgur.com/ZFhMA9I
Some of these stem from artists having to recreate clean box art from the best high res resources available where there aren't official ones, as well as the NA priority rule. For example, I actually made some of these and while I can agree they're not perfect there's a reason they ended up that way.
And trust me, me and others really pushed for more "freedom" to avoid picking some of the uglier ones but... we lost.
And trust me, me and others really pushed for more "freedom" to avoid picking some of the uglier ones but... we lost.
shadow dancer is straight up a upgrade
Looks like IMDB just changed the boxart for Marvel VS Capcom 2 to be the Dreamcast (I think) version and I'm absolutely FUMING about it.
Like seriously: WHAT THE HELL WAS WRONG WITH THIS?????????
Like seriously: WHAT THE HELL WAS WRONG WITH THIS?????????
Fizza
9 months ago
Apollo Justice 3DS: Bit of an obscure one but the 3DS remaster of Apollo Justice got a physical release in Japan with artwork never seen anywhere else (the overseas version just used the original DS version's boxart) https://i.pinimg.com/originals/eb/25/49/eb2549ab7987c4f348e6924f83e47ef5.jpg
Zack & Wiki The Quest for Barbaros' Treasure: This is definitely a personal gripe of mine but why on god's name does IGDB use the NA version of Z&W's boxart when the other regions look significantly better? Yeah the change isn't as drastic as other boxarts but the changes made to Zack's pose and expression do a far better job at conveying his goofball nature than NA's bland stoicness. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/12/Zack_%26_Wiki_-_Quest_for_Barbaros%27_Treasure_Coverart.png
Excitebike 64: This one is definitely pretty subjective so I don't blame you if you don't want to include it but I think the bold black-and-red of the Japanese cover is much more interesting/has aged significantly better than the NA/EU version https://images.nintendolife.com/82904193ba302/excitebike-64-jp.large.jpg
Also, just as a heads up, the links on AA Spirit of Justice and the 2nd version of SF Third Strike are currently broken 👍