Well, Nintendo of America gave me that reason on Wednesday night, when it unveiled this wacky Wii game's official North American box art.
Is it possible for a piece of box art to induce a seizure? I wouldn't have thought so before I saw Rhythm Heaven Fever's cover (above), but now I'm not so sure. Regardless, it's certainly busy, isn't it? And colorful. Both of which make sense, I guess, based on what I've seen of and read about this crazy music game.
Anyway, moving along. We can't play "Which Box Art is Better?" without comparing the cover above to its European or Japanese counterparts, can we? Unfortunately, the game isn't due to be released in Europe until the second quarter of next year, so no box art is available for that region yet. Thankfully, it was released in Japan--as Minna no Rhythm Tengoku, or Everybody's Rhythm Heaven--long ago (on July 21, to be exact). Here is that version's less-cluttered cover:
I'll be honest: I initially hated the North American art. Like I said earlier, it's really busy--almost too busy, in my opinion. Also, I'm not a fan of mixing fonts, and seeing that bubbly "Fever" butting up against the angular "Rhythm Heaven" sort of makes me want to slam my head into the nearest wall. Oh, and that band of screenshots and text along the bottom? I tend to despise that tactic, too.
All that said, I actually think I prefer the North American cover to the Japanese one. Don't get me wrong, I love the latter art's simplicity, as well as that lovely rainbow banding, but it's a bit barren, isn't it? Also, those three little ... things beneath the logo seem out of place to me. I'd rather see more of them or none of them, you know what I mean?
Do you guys and gals have a preference for one version's box art over the other? Also, will you be buying a copy of this game when it's released in your neck of the woods?
See also: Previous 'Which Box Art is Better?' posts
14 comments:
Wow. I'm quite surprised to see so much going on on the NA box. Usually I would expect this from japan but....wow. I have to give my vote to the NA one just for that alone personally.
Yay! I really thought most folks would hate the NA art like I did initially.
I agree that a lot is going on on the NA art, Motherplayer, but like you I appreciate the craziness in this case :)
Anyway, thanks as always for sharing your thoughts!
yeah for once i am pretty firmly on the NA box art's side.
Ah, this one is winning over all of us lovers of Japanese box art, eh? Great! Let's see what other folks have to say (assuming anyone else comments on this post, ha ha!).
You're right about the font, but other than that I think the NA version is pretty rad
Yes! Three for three in favor of the NA box art. Thanks, Adam :)
You know what I really like about it, by the way? I like that it really indicates to people that they're about to play a really wacky game--something I don't think the Japanese art does as successfully.
Of course, in Japan, Rhythm Tengoku is a fairly well-known series, so maybe they can get away with simpler covers.
Anyway, are you planning to buy this game when it's released, Adam?
If the NA art had the rainbow backing, I'd think it was perfect, but as it is, it's only magnificent. :-P
I love it.
Uhhh, I don't know guys, I'm gonna have to be the one that's on the fence about that NA cover. I do love how they kept the three random characters from the Japanese cover and added more to make it seem more balanced, but the "Fever" lettering is just so ugly to me. I guess in terms of concept, NA still reigns, but the mashup just isn't executed well enough for me to be very happy about it.
Well, since I haven't modded my Wii, I'll have to wait and see what the PAL version's cover looks like :)
I thought the same thing yesterday, Justin! The current NA art with a rainbow backing would be perfect. That said, I really like the "ray of light" backing image, too.
Anyway, does this mean you're going to get this game, Justin?
Hey, Anne, no need to feel bad/weird about going against the flow! I'm with you, by the way, on HATING that font on the NA cover. Other than that, though, I love it.
As for the PAL cover, I can't wait to see it. I really hope it's unique -- mainly so I can update this post with another option :)
I agree with you for once :D
I do love the Japanese cover, I think its brilliant but in comparison to the NA cover it is just so empty, a bit too bold.
Ah, is this the first time we've agreed, Trxd? If so; Yay! :P
For $30, I'd be stupid not to.
Yes! I don't know why I'm so adamant about getting people to buy this game. I guess I've just loved both of the previous Rhythm Heaven games, and the DS one didn't exactly light up the sales charts here in the US. Anyway, I can't wait until this one is released...
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