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And welcome box art enthusiasts to the latest entry in Nintendo Life’s Box Art Brawl canon. Yes, this week we’re going to take a look at some retro game covers again this week and it’s up to you to pick the best of them.
Last time we took a look at Kage Dragon Blue Ninja Shadow since Natsume’s 2D side scrolling for NES is no called. It was a brave three-way battle, but ultimately North America emerged victorious ahead of Europe, while Japan came in third.
After Mario’s big news this week and the arrival Super Mario All-Stars As part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscriber offering, we thought it was the perfect time for some plumbing action in the fight. We will be enjoying Super Mario 3D All-Stars in a couple of weeks, but in today’s Duel we look back at its 1993 predecessor Super Nintendo.
Four games, two covers, one vote. Let’s see what they have …
North America / Europe
The European cover was essentially the North American cover, hence this week’s Duel. It had a yellow border in certain countries (and the addition of a The world of Super Mario logo if it was the version that included that game too – one hell cartridge, that one), but the key art was identical.
With multiple Marios in different costumes, various enemies and allies scattered around, Bowser appearing like a cloud behind it all, and the entire collection of animals presented by Mario in a wizard costume wielding a star-throwing wand, we think this captures the quirky spirit. from the adventures inside very well. It lacks focus, but there is a lot to like.
Japan
The Japanese version, on the other hand, replaced the wacky magic with a solid gold effigy of Mario in his wizard costume. Icons across the top show illustrations of the four included games, with Super mario Bros. 2 carrying his Super Mario Bros. Japanese title on the blue border of the large ‘coin’ in the center.
We’re not sure about the font of the ‘SUPER MARIO BROS.’ Stencil, but it’s a colorful and stylish cover for sure. Although it may be a bit too much. After all, all that glitters is not gold, is it?
Yes, we mean ‘glitters’! Ask Alex.
Cousin!
And as an unanswered cheeky little bonus, let’s take a look at the cover for the 25th anniversary release for Wii (yes, that’s a decade old now), which channels the Japanese cover but toned it down with a velvety red background:
So two very different covers this week, but which one is the best? Choose your favorite from the options below and press ‘Vote’ to let us know:
And that’s the end of this week’s fight! After Mario’s explosion last week, we’re going to gather forces. Thanks for voting and see you next time.
