Is that a copy of Airu de Puzzle (PSP) in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

OK, so the header above is kind of lame. I couldn't think of anything better, though, so I'm sticking with it.

I do have a copy of Airu de Puzzle, the Monster Hunter-themed match-three puzzler that Capcom released for the PSP some time ago.

I actually bought the copy seen in the photos above and below shortly after it was released (some while ago), but I haven't mentioned it here until now because, well, it took me a long time to snap some photos of it.

Would you believe that I've yet to play the damn thing? Yeah, I'll bet those of you who've been coming here for a while now would believe it.

Anyway, its cover illustration is pretty nice, don't you think? I also like the art that appears on the back of its instruction manual.



The illustrations that appear inside the manual are pretty cute, too. I wish there were more of them, especially since the manual as a whole isn't all that exciting.

I have a feeling the game itself is more exciting--or at least more interesting. I'll let you know one way or another after I've finally played it, which hopefully will happen shortly.

Let's Play: 'Which Box Art is Better?' (Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate edition)

I know I'm a bit late to this particular party, but what can I say? I have little (or, rather, no) experience with the Monster Hunter series--although I'd like to change that sometime soon.

Will Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, which will hit store shelves throughout North America and Europe on March 19 and 22, respectively, be the version that prompts me to join the MonHun party? Probably not, and that's mostly due to the fact that this release (once again) eschews online play.

I have to say, though, that if the folks had decided to re-use the Japanese box art (black bar and all), which can be seen below, while designing the North American iteration's packaging, I might have re-considered.

That's not to say I find the art (below) that will grace covers of North American copies--and European ones, too, if I'm not mistaken--of the game horrendous or anything like that. In fact, I think it's rather nice, all things considered.

Still, it lacks the drama of its Japanese counterpart--or at least it does in my opinion. I especially like the color scheme used on the Monster Hunter Tri G (that's what the game's called in its country of origin) cover art, what with its striking use of black, green and red.

Anyway, that's my take on the situation. What do all of you think? Do you prefer one of these box-art options to the other--and, if so, why do you feel that way?

See also: Previous 'Which Box Art is Better?' posts