Best/Worst Box Arts of 2004

[AnthonyRoundtree]

As 2004 comes to an end... many sites and communites... and lesser respected cable networks all award this years games with honorary mentions....

Well..... regardless of how amazing these games are... to the uninformed consumer... the deciding factor on the sole purchase of a game off a shelf... could be decided upon by the box art....

So... without boring anyone here too much... let me get straight to the point...

Lets see what CAGers feel should get horable mentions for best and worst of 2004 in the box art categories.

Be sure to post the images (not too big guys!) and clearly specify your notion for BEST or WORST of 2004......


Ready?

[AnthonyRoundtree]

As a matter of fact... this size pushes it... but stick to ebgames.com for a great pictoral reference.

Here is... My option for Best Box Art of 2004.

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/245460.jpg

When I imported this puppy opening the package to reveal one of the most colorful and hilarious covers I'd ever seen.... i was shocked at how well it actually represented not only the tone of the game... but the concept of the gameplay itself...

I actually had a bet going on amongst friends that if it would ever get imported... thered be no chance in hell that they'd keep the box art... just look at ICO in Japan and Europe....
http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005UJSY.02.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

compared to ours in the US.....
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004YUWA.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

pretty disgusting right?
well needles to say... I lost the bet... but won the war.
Not only is KD my pick for Game of the Year... but its also got the best Box art... hand down....


Four runners up for best Box Arts this year.... include....

Pikmin 2

http://images.dvdempire.com/gen/movies/598501.jpg

So much production value seen on this amazing gem... the colorful action shot with the sculpted and photgraphed models is a rarity among the shelf space... is this game on YOUR shelf? It should be.....
NOTE: Nintendo almost went with this cover... seen here....

http://image.compusa.com/prodimages/16/f51eb009-1b59-4798-8549-f71e67987971.gif

Thankfully... at last minute... the traditional line 'em up and smile cover cover was scrapped for the earlier action shot. Cheers Nintendo.

Feel The Magic XY/XX
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/245935.jpg
How many other games in your collection have such a dead sexy and revealing cover that at the same time reveals nothing, but style.


WORST for this year will hardly need explanation.... but I'll show them to you anyway.....

Stare in disgust. Stare. In. Disgust.

Culprit No. 1 The Guy Game
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/244785.jpg
Culprit No. 2 Donkey Konga (disc case)
Sure you dont really pick THIS off the shelf... but once you get it home.. you DO NOT want to keep this around for others to see....
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/244024.jpg

[tenzor]

best box art of 2004
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/243501.jpg

worst box art of 2004
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/243620.jpg

[Tromack]

Best:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002RQ3ES.01-AIGI2YLZJE0LN.LZZZZZZZ.jpg


Worst? Give me a minute, I usually try to ignore terrible box art.

[Scorch]

Best (I realize that this is the strategy guide):

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/245792.jpg

I'm gonna have to agree..

Worst:

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/243620.jpg

[rebenns]

BEST - Actually, I like the simplicity of Halo 2 CE.
Worst - ESPN 2K5 is bad, but there was a worse title. I can't remember the name of the game, but it was shown in EGM; the cover art shows a badly drawn teenage girl who is the star of the game. It is for XBox, and was originally supposed to be a launch title for the system, but didn't come out until this year.

[tenzor]

BEST - Actually, I like the simplicity of Halo 2 CE.
Worst - ESPN 2K5 is bad, but there was a worse title. I can't remember the name of the game, but it was shown in EGM; the cover art shows a badly drawn teenage girl who is the star of the game. It is for XBox, and was originally supposed to be a launch title for the system, but didn't come out until this year.

malice??

[Tromack]

BEST - Actually, I like the simplicity of Halo 2 CE.
Worst - ESPN 2K5 is bad, but there was a worse title. I can't remember the name of the game, but it was shown in EGM; the cover art shows a badly drawn teenage girl who is the star of the game. It is for XBox, and was originally supposed to be a launch title for the system, but didn't come out until this year.

Malice? http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/223413.jpg

[RedvsBlue]

Dog's Life has gotta be the worst I've seen in a long time. Even if you like Katamari Damacy, though, you gotta admit that's its too simplistic.

As far as ESPN NBA, it could have been worse, they could have put Artest on it...

[magilacudy]

BEST - Actually, I like the simplicity of Halo 2 CE.
Worst - ESPN 2K5 is bad, but there was a worse title. I can't remember the name of the game, but it was shown in EGM; the cover art shows a badly drawn teenage girl who is the star of the game. It is for XBox, and was originally supposed to be a launch title for the system, but didn't come out until this year.

Was it Malice?

Damn I got beat by two minutes. =/

[pumbaa]

Katamari Damacy = Best Title Cover...
Malice = Worst.

NEXT!!!

[Scorch]

Hm. I don't think it's been posted, but was it Malice?

:cool:

[Tromack]

Hm. I don't think it's been posted, but was it Malice?

:cool:

look up about 7 posts.

Edit- Um..4.

[Duo_Maxwell]

Worst:
There's alot....Get on Da Mic comes to mind, and the Guy Game despite having some hot chicks on there, the picture of the host guy or whatever makes me wanna break the case into a thousand pieces for some reason.

Best:
Not even a game really, I'd have to say the best boxart I've seen this year were on the SE Street Fighter Controllers.

[ctice44]

I'd say best box art would be:
Metoid Prime 2 (I'm a sucker for foil covers)
http://www.gamefly.com/products/static/GameCube%20Metroid%20Prime%202%20Echoes%20%20metro idprime2%20echoes%20metroidprime2echoes%20metroidp rimetwo%20metroidprimetoo%20metroydeprime2%20metri odpryme2%20meteredprime2%20m110215.htm
Burnout 3 (runner up)
http://www.gamefly.com/products/static/PlayStation%202%20Burnout%203%20Takedown%20%202bur to3%20race%20cars%20crash%20racing%20%20Racing%20% 20%20Electronic%20Arts%20110440.htm

Worst Box Art:
Bad Boys (how original can you get?)
http://www.gamefly.com/products/static/Xbox%20Bad%20Boys%20Miami%20Takedown%20%20bad%20bo ys%20miami%20take%20down%20takedown%20%20Shooter%2 0%20%20Crave%20112000.htm
Get On Da Mic (runner up)
http://www.gamefly.com/products/static/PlayStation%202%20Get%20On%20Da%20Mic%20%20rap%20h ip-hop%20getondamic%20getonthemic%20getondamike%20get onthemike%20damike%20karaoke%20siging%20%20Strateg y%20Sim%20%20%20Eidos%20112160.htm

[nachzeher]

BEST - Actually, I like the simplicity of Halo 2 CE.
Worst - ESPN 2K5 is bad, but there was a worse title. I can't remember the name of the game, but it was shown in EGM; the cover art shows a badly drawn teenage girl who is the star of the game. It is for XBox, and was originally supposed to be a launch title for the system, but didn't come out until this year.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that it's Malice.

[TheUnsane1]

I like SMT: Nocturne for best.

[zewone]

Best - Halo 2 LE (Flame me! :D )
- Katarmari Damacy

Worst - Catwoman
- Gallan (or however you spell the crappy pirate game.)

[RedvsBlue]

I like SMT: Nocturne for best.

Yeah that one is pretty good too.

[tcrash247]

I don't know why, but I really like Second Sight's cover.
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/281065b.jpg

The worst I guess is Smackdown vs Raw. I don't want to look at Vince's sweaty face.
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/281096b.jpg

[hutno]

Best Halo 2 CE / MGS 3
Worst DBZ budokai 3 / Malice

[zewone]

The worst I guess is Smackdown vs Raw. I don't want to look at Vince's sweaty face.
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/281096b.jpg

Thats who that is. I always wondered. And yeah that cover sucks a big one.

[-Never4ever-]

Best: http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/243597.jpg
(looks much better in person IMO)

Worst: http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/245725.jpg
(nothing sets my world on fire like virtual paintball)

[flybrione]

Yager is definetly the worst. Man is that ugly.

http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/210686b.jpg

I really like the box art to:
KillZone
MGS SE
POP WW
KOTOR 2

[guessed]

Most of the titles being recommend for worst box art are also some of the worst games (or at least, really bad games). As a slight offshoot of the topic, does anybody want to post the game they think has the biggest discrepency between good game/bad cover and bad game/good cover?

[AnthonyRoundtree]

As a slight offshoot of the topic, does anybody want to post the game they think has the biggest discrepency between good game/bad cover and bad game/good cover?

gimme a minute....

[AnthonyRoundtree]

Best Box Art for a Terrible Game in 2004?
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/239326.jpg
Admit it.... this LOOKED promising.....
and yes.... EVERYONE read it "Driv Three Are" ..... but it looked pretty.

Worst Box Art for a Great Game in 2004?
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/241955.jpg
Pesonally... I like the box art.... actually... i feel its one of the coolest... but you gotta admit... its definately a turn off to the mass consumer... especially since the mass consumer is frighteningly unaware of the amazing amount of deep gameplay involved with the FM series... this does not win over the uninformed... nor does it do well to inform them.

[chickenhawk]

It looks like I am in the minority here, but I actually can't stand the box art for Katamari Damacy. I'd actually nominate it for the worst. Nominating a sports game for worst box art is cheating. It's not really "art" anyway, just a picture of one of the players.

Best box art has to between MGS 3: SE, POP: Warior Within or Metriod Prime 2: Echoes. Of course I think I am suffering from a severe case of the recency effect on this.

[-Never4ever-]

It looks like I am in the minority here, but I actually can't stand the box art for Katamari Damacy. I'd actually nominate it for the worst. Nominating a sports game for worst box art is cheating. It's not really "art" anyway, just a picture of one of the players.

Best box art has to between MGS 3: SE, POP: Warior Within or Metriod Prime 2: Echoes. Of course I think I am suffering from a severe case of the recency effect on this.

Photography can be a form of art. Besides, the ESPN 2k4 lineup had some of the best Sports boxart by far, where as NBA 2k5 is just laughable.

[Trakan]

A couple of my personal favorites:
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/241894.jpghttp://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/244705.jpghttp://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/244840.jpg

Worst: NBA2k5, Yager

[nixts]

Best -- Rengoku (PSP)

http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/edigi-game/img10071051476.jpeg

Worst -- Under the Skin (PS2)

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/243873.jpg

[hutno]

Best -- Rengoku (PSP)

http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/edigi-game/img10071051476.jpeg

Worst -- Under the Skin (PS2)

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/243873.jpg

Rengoku got delayed so it probably wont be out in 04

[Chris Dillon]

Katarmi is hands down the best. I also like gtasa and mgs3 but katarmi is just so creative.

[radjago]

Best: Star Wars: KOTOR II (Xbox)
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/210605b.jpg
I think this rivals the best of the artwork for the movie posters.

+Honorable Mention: Fable (Xbox)
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/210294b.jpg
It explains the premise of the game and that everything in the game glows.

Worst: Street Jam Basketball (GBA)
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/160468b.jpg
It looks like something someone scrawled across a napkin in a game of word association.

-Dishonorable Mention: Donkey Konga (GC)
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/220446b.jpg
Just because it's a in a pack with the bongos, it doesn't mean Nintendo had to skimp on designing the cover for the game. I've seen them do a lot better with their "Who are you?" ads.

[AlbinoNinja]

Crash Bandicoot Twinsanity should be nominated (although i doubt it would win)

my original reaction was laughter. Just something about the way crash was drawn jumping on cortez was funny. it also fit the games mood and described it rather well

[dragonfireflys]

Best:
Neo Contra

Worst:
Trigger Man

[GuilewasNK]

Best - Halo 2 LE (Flame me! :D )


The LE of Halo looked great. Simple, yet effective.

[oddjob93]

Its a tie for worst, between Ghost Recon 2 and Mechassault 2.
I can't believe I'm the first to mention those ugly ass boxes.

[regisphilbi0]

Halo 2 LE/KOTOR 2 defintely for best.
Worst: Donkey Konga. WHY??????????????????????????????????

[Rozz]

Best:

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00008NA6E.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0002LI6EO.02.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000AI1KE.01-AIGI2YLZJE0LN._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002B90OO.01-A1VC38T7YXB528._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002B90OE.01-A1NDBS7YGOPBD6._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[ZForce915]

What is so horrible about Donkey Konga? I don't think the cover art is that bad.

Best: Mortal Kombat (Raiden version)

Worst: Your mom.

[Mr.Answer]

This isn't from this year (nor current system) but its so bad it can maybe spur some thought thinking of the stinkers of this year.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/MrAnswer/Worstpic3.jpg

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/194693.jpg


and my favorite.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/MrAnswer/wtf.jpg

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/246601.jpg

[Rozz]

Worst:

Malice


http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000170188.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0002JOWB2.02.THUMBZZZ.jpg

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000063XBU.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[willardhaven]

Best:
Neo Contra


Haha that's one of the worst covers I've ever seen.

[help1]

Best: HALO:CE

Looks better in person... picture just doesn't do it justice...

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0002LI6EO.02.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

Worst: Killzone... just looked not official...

http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2003/all/boxshots2/918762.jpg

[help1]

What is so horrible about Donkey Konga? I don't think the cover art is that bad.

Best: Mortal Kombat (Raiden version)

Worst: Your mom.

HAHA, no

[guessed]

Well, I know it came in too late, but The GS RE4 collector's tin should definitely be in the running for next year's best.

[chubbyninja1319]

MGS3 had pretty good box art, as did Halo 2 (both versions), and KH CoM.

Worst might go to Demon Stone. I understand the art style, but I thought it coulda been so much cooler.

Honorable mention for best cover artwork of a hot game chick from a damn good game would go to Shadow Hearts: Covenant.

[smellhasreturned]

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/244286.jpg

this one is the worst it just looks ugly

fun game though :)

[camoor]

BEST - Actually, I like the simplicity of Halo 2 CE.
Worst - ESPN 2K5 is bad, but there was a worse title. I can't remember the name of the game, but it was shown in EGM; the cover art shows a badly drawn teenage girl who is the star of the game. It is for XBox, and was originally supposed to be a launch title for the system, but didn't come out until this year.

I think you're talking about Malice. It's got a red-headed girl with a hammer on the cover.

[YellowJokeR]

Best: HALO:CE

Looks better in person... picture just doesn't do it justice...

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0002LI6EO.02.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

Worst: Killzone... just looked not official...

http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2003/all/boxshots2/918762.jpg
How do you think this cover looks bad? In an artistic view it looks pretty kool.

[YellowJokeR]

And for that one Muscle game, i didnt even know that that was a game :shock: I just thought it was a verry crapy TV show.

[Akkis99]

id say viewtiful joe. I love that box art.

[dtcarson]

I agree with The Guy Game being one of the worst. For a game whose main selling point is topless chicks, you'd think they'd focus more on the chicks on the cover. And that annoying face the guy is making, I just want to smack him.

[Backlash]

And for that one Muscle game, i didnt even know that that was a game :shock: I just thought it was a verry crapy TV show.

That game ruled! There was that one dude with the claws who could fly across the screen....

[BARRICADE_28]

the best is MSG3, hands down. I'm not even a fan of the series and i give it props.

[nradsoit3]

BEST: 1. HALO 2 CE 2. FABLE 3. DOA Ultimate (I agree with Rozz completely)

WORST: Trigger Man (Geesh I don't know what is worse- the game or the cover?!), Backyard Wrestling 2 (divert your eyes off the chick for a moment and take a look at the dudes standing next to her- pretty scary stuff!), Bad Boys: Miami Takedown (are these bad boys trying to leave their own video game- I don't blame them!)

[Ziv_Zulander]

Best - Gungrave Overdose, Katamari Damacy, Shadow Hearts: Covenant.


Worst - Far Cry, Mega Man Anniversary Collection, Rumble Roses.

[jer7583]

Best:

Me gusta mucho
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/243597.jpg

I like the color usage on this one, and the double case packaging.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/236112x.jpg

MMM, Shiny
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/243446.jpg

We are not hiding the rediculous art style or nature of our game in the least.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/245588.jpg

I also like how the GBA Classic NES games were designed, It would have been even better to put them in the classic NES tall cardboard boxes with all the original cover art..

And the Worst:

Worst Title and box art.. SUPER ARMY WAR! YOU FIGHT! ARMY WAR! GENERIC ARMY MAN FIGHT AND TANK!
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/255326.jpg

I don't know if they're pissed off at each other or engulfed by lust.. *note, hand holding, gentle touch of thigh*
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009YEJK.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Apparently, too hardcore to include anything but a lone pinball on the cover..
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006JBT6.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

BUT! No cover pissed me off so much this year, as this one..
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00009YXDR.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I really had no intention of picking on atlus, but they really need to fire their art people.

They made it in the same style as the old cover, but about a hundred times crappier. As if to say, yeah, we know how bad ass the original was, and because of that, we're going to smear some shit around in the general shape of the original and release that. It doesn't match the art style of the actual game whatsoever.. ick. terrible art, great game.

[jer7583]

Added another best:

http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeGames/Large/32/671832.jpg
mr pants' complete and total lack of shame is an example to all of us, showing up in his very own game debut with nothing but a bowler hat, some BVDs, and a playful smile.

Added worst:

Incase you didn't believe the horrifying visage of terror that plagues the rumble roses cover, here.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002RQ3H0.01-A1NDBS7YGOPBD6._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
:shock:

[jetlag16]

The Mortal Kombat: Deception cover arts look pretty sweet. The worst might've been that new WWF game. Or the Guy Game. They both look pretty freaky.

[Moxio]

Apparently, too hardcore to include anything but a lone pinball on the cover..
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006JBT6.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg



:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Hardcore Pinball? Lame title also.

[DenisDFat]

halo le, like the game, sucked.

yes, i've had the displeasure of seeing it person.

[Trakan]

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/246534.jpg

My favorite of this year so far. ;)

[Monsta Mack]

My pick: Raiden LE MK:D for XBox, I really really really liked the cover. Also Otogi 2 was beautiful.

Worst: I'll go with River City Ransom EX, followed by Triggerman.

[MorbidAngel4Life]

Best is Doom 3 LCE. Hands down.