Cover Art PCE vs Turbo Grafx (Image Heavy)

[SuperPlay]

I thought that it would be interesting to post the different styles of artwork.

Thanks goes to esteban for hosting the images.
 

Adventure Island / Dragons Curse (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Aero Blasters (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Alien Crush




Ankoku Densetsu / Legendary Axe 2 (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Balistix (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




BE Ball / Chew Man Fu




Blodia / TimeBall (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Bomberman (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Bomberman 93 (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Cadash (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Chase HQ (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Chozetsu Rinjin / Bravoman (TG16 Pic htp://pcengine.co.uk)




Cosmic Fantasy 2 (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Cotton (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Cyber Core (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Davis Cup Tennis




DeadMoon




Deep Blue




Devil Crash / Devil Crush (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Doraemon: Meikyuu Daisakusen / Cratermaze




Double Dungeons




Dragon Slayer: The Legend Of Heroes




Dragon Spirit




Drop Rock Hora Hora / Drop Off (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Dungeon Explorer (TG16 Pic: ParanoiaDragon)




Dungeon Explorer II (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Dynastic Hero (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Exile (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Fantasy Zone




Fighting Street (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Final Zone II




Forgotten Worlds




Galaga '88 / Galaga '90



Genpei Toumaden Kannoni / Samurai Ghost (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Godzilla Bakutou Retsu Den (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Gunhed / Blazing Lazers (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Hit the Ice (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Jack Nicklaus Greatest 18 / Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Jackie Chan's action KungFu (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




J. B. Harold Murder Club (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman 2 / Shockman (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Kato and Ken Chan / J.J & Jeff (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Kick Boxing




King of Casino




Klaxx (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Kung FU / China Warrior




Legend Of Hero Tonma (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Magical Chase (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Makyo Densetsu / Legendary Axe (TG16 Pic htp://pcengine.co.uk)




Magical Saurus Tour / Magical Dinosaur Tour




Mesopotamia / Somer Assault (PCE Pic PCEP and TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Monster Lair




MotoRoader (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Nectaris / Military Madness




Neutopia




Neutopia II (TG16 Pic henrycsc)



Ordyne




PacLand




Paranoia / Psychosis




Parasol Stars (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




PC Denjin / Air Zonk (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




PC Genjin / Bonks Adventure




PC Genjin 2 / Bonks Revenge




PC Genjin 3 / Bonk 3 Bonk's big Adventrue




Pomping World / Buster Bros.




Power Golf




Power League / World Class Baseball




Power Sports / World Sports Competition (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Prince of Persia




R-Type




Raiden (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Red Alert / Last Alert (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Rising Sun




Saigo No Nindou / Ninja Spirit




Sherlock Holmes No Tantei Kouza / Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Vol 1




Side Arms (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Silent Debuggers




Shadow of the Beast




Sohko Ban World / Box Boy




Soldier Blade (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Space Harrier




Super Star Soldier(TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Super Volley Ball (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Takahashi Meijin No Shinboukenjima / New Adventure Island (TG16 Pic henrycsc)





Time Cruise




Tora He No Michi / Tiger Road (TG16 Pic htp://pcengine.co.uk)




Tricky / Tricky Kick




TV Sports Basketball




TV Sports Football




TV Sports Hockey




USA Pro Basketball / Takin' It To The Hoop




Valis II




Valis III (TG16 Pic htp://pcengine.co.uk)




Vasteel (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Veigues Tactical Gladiator




Victory Run:




Vigilante:




Violent Soldier / Sinistron (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




Winds of Thunder / Lords of Thunder (PCE Pic htp://pcengine.co.uk)




World Beach VolleyBall / Sonic Spikes (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




World Court Tennis




YS 1&2 (TG16 Pic henrycsc)




YS III (TG16 Pic henrycsc)





US Only


Adams Family (Pic henrycsc)



Camp California (Pic henrycsc)



Darkwing Duck (Pic henrycsc)




Falcon  (Pic henrycsc)




Ghost Manor (Pic henrycsc)




Gunboat (Pic henrycsc)




Impossamole (Pic henrycsc)




It came from the desert  (Pic henrycsc)




Tail Spin (Pic henrycsc)




Yo Bro

[turbogrfxfan]

yeah I really like the comparisons of some of the covers like that. keep em commin!!! thnx for putting it up!

[roflmao]

Awesome thread.  I love seeing the subtle differences in Ordyne.  I doubt I ever would have caught them had they not been side-by-side.

[SuperPlay]

Added Davis Cup Tennis

[SaturdayMorningRobots]

Shockman is the only TG-16 game I can think of with really good cover art, but the dumb game doesn't even come with a jewel case it's just got like a cheap plastic card holder inside the cardboard.

Some covers look nice but are inappropriate like Sidearms has a Sci-fi pic of a guy, whereas the PCE version has an actual pic of the mech from the game.

[CGQuarterly]

US version of Davis Cup Tennis looks nicer than the Japanese version.  The Ordyne covers are interesting in that they used the same cover art, but de-Japanesified it for us here in the US.  Seems like they should have spent their time worrying about other things as far as marketing went.

Chris

[SignOfZeta]

I like this thread a lot. Keep them coming.

Davis Cub Tennis: The is a rare occasion where they went all out on US art using a different style and actually produced something that was as good as the original. I prefer the JP art, but they are both good.

Ordyne: its hard to say what the motivation might have been here. Did they remove Raman Man there because he was asian, or because he was a massively stereotypical asian? Given the time frame, it could have been either way. A similar case is Breath of Fire (SNES), or possibly Breath of Fire 2, I can't remember. For the US version they made the black guy white. Gentrification in JRPGs? Well, maybe, but the black guy was also depicted in the usual Tezuka/sambo/Darkie Toothpaste sort of way. Also, he was the thief in the group. So...possibly that wasn't just xenophobic.

Obviously the Monster Boy one is a slam dunk for the PCE side. The US version depicts essentially the same exact thing, but very very poorly.

R Type: The US version isn't that terrible, but what was the point? Why change it at all?

[SignOfZeta]

The US version of Davis Cup has the rare privilege of having its cover drawn by an genuinely skilled artist. This is very uncommon with TG-16 releases. Its so overly wrought though. It looks like the dude (is his name Davis?) is saying, "Get this gerbil out of my ass!" or something like that.

[ParanoiaDragon]

While the US art shows more, the Jp art is still nicer.  I do consider DE the worst offender.  And yeah, LA 1 turned out really nice for the US.

[SuperPlay]

Added Kick Boxing :.

[CGQuarterly]

I like the colorfulness of the US version of Panza, but the Japanese version is definitely more artistically stylish.

Chris

[SuperPlay]

added Ninja Spirit/Saigo No Nindou

[Tatsujin]

/capture3af.jpg

LOL, it's obvious why the monkey scratches his head. If I'm sitting there, and have to witness this hilarious scenario down there, I would as well.

also a MEGALOL @ the altered Ordyne cover

[SignOfZeta]

Is the US Dungeon Explorer cover supposed to look like a cave painting? I'm serious. If they were going for that "primitive" (or possibly, "primate") look then I can see it. Otherwise...WTF?

[Liquid Snake]

We need someone to do Valis 3 US vs. JPN   That's a classic!

[Tatsujin]

no, the real classics are bonk 1 & 2, bomberman and keeesss. LOLx32

[ParanoiaDragon]

I used to love the US Bonk, & I still like it, but, I LOOOOVE the Jp version!

[Joe Redifer]

I definitely like the US Legendary Axe artwork much better, but the actual title is horrible!  It looks like it's doing its best to blend into the background so as to not be seen by those who peruse videogames for purchase.  The font is crappy and curving it around is just stupid.  How did graphic designers like these get jobs back in the day?  And who hired some of these people who are drawing the US versions?  It couldn't have been THAT hard to find a decent artist even for cheap.

[roflmao]

I agree that the title for Legendary Axe blends into the BG for the American version...  But looking as the covers here, a LOT of them have curved titles: Andre Panza Kick Boxing, Legendary Axe, Monster Lair, R-Type, (Even Ordyne to a small extent) all have curved titles.  I wonder if that was a theme or part of the turbografx styleguide at the time?

Curiouser and curiouser.

[Liquid Snake]

Classic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Joe Redifer]

That's a man, man!

I like how it shows the "Actual CD Cinema Screens!" like it was something that wasn't in the Genesis version.

[PunkCryborg]

Classic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The US Valis covor looks like Kate Bush in her "Babooshka" video starting at 00:56

[SuperPlay]

What on earth is going on with Valis III ;-)

Just updated with PC Genjin 2 / Bonks Revenge

[apachacha]

Well the Japanese Bonk and Ordyne ones definitely look better

[Tatsujin]

lol, if it's only about this two.

[SuperPlay]

Todays Add: BE Ball / Chew-Man-Fu

This is a close call for me, I like both!

[lord_cack]

Well, I think the Japanese Chew Man Fu has this erotic thing going, what with the girls playing with the balls.... you know. But the American has this Homoerotic thing going on, what with the man playing with the balls.... I guess its just a matter of what you like, you know  ....

[SuperPlay]

Added Dragon Spirit,  My Fav. has to the the Japanese cover.

[SuperPlay]

Added: Time Cruise

I much prefer the US cover on this one.

[SignOfZeta]

I can't say I have an opinion either way on Time Cruise.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

I can get into almost any US releases art, I just hate the font.  Ugh, so generic.

[PunkCryborg]

To me the Japanese Time Cruise looks like a US cover and Vice Versa. I prefer the US cover.

[SuperPlay]

Added: Power League / World Class Baseball

Think I prefer the US cover, however I cannot make my mind up ;-)

[SignOfZeta]

Again, I find myself not really caring.

Time for some of the more horrible shit now, Valis, Cosmic Fantasy, etc.

[Tatsujin]

Todays Add: BE Ball / Chew-Man-Fu

This is a close call for me, I like both!

LOL

[SuperPlay]

Added:

Chozetsu Rinjin / Bravoman

Valis II

Valis III

[MasonSushi]

I like the us version of Chew Man Fu better than Be Ball.

[SignOfZeta]

Bravoman: Both tie for last.

Valis III: This embodies everything that sucks about the TG-16.

[SuperPlay]

Added Silent Debuggers

No real preference here, edging towards the Japanese cover.

[SignOfZeta]

Oh man, I love the JP Silent Debuggers cover. I'm not sure I had ever seen it before today.

[SuperPlay]

Added Rising Sun

[gilvy12]

I must say, this thread is a good example of how some US games had superior art.  For instance, the US Time Cruise cover is pretty neat, while the JP one looks like something out of Johnny Turbo.  And that is awful.

[termis]

I must say, this thread is a good example of how some US games had superior art.

Or rather, how most US cover art is shit compared to the Japanese ones.  I do agree that the US Time Cruise art looks better, but that's the only one for me.

That said, I've already stated my own opinion on other threads about how much cover art means to me when it comes to actually choosing a version of the game (zero).

edit: Upon looking at it again, I'll add Legendary Axe, and maybe Ordyne (though that's just a touch-up difference) to the US preference list.

[nat]

Yeah, people that get hung up on cover art or only buy games from a certain region because of cover art make me laugh.

I can't think of a time when a game's cover art affected my enjoyment of it. Hell, often times when I buy shit it's loose anyway.

All that said, I think the U.S. cover art for the Bonk games is far superior and much more fitting.

[DirkFunk]

With R-Type's American cover it appears they didn't want to sell the fact that the game has huge, awesome bosses.

To me, the WORST American cover is Legendary Axe II. The Japanese version at least fits the mood of the game.

The American one . . . the whole, happy little people swinging axes from the groin area probably didn't sell many copies of the game. I actually like that game quite a bit. Every time I pick it up to play, I look at the cover and a small part of my soul is crushed. I'm honestly considering picking up the PC Engine version.

[Dyna138]

Out of what's posted so far I like Chew Man Fu, Legendary Axe and Time Cruise US artwork. I'm afraid to say I like Valis II, but I always thought it was colorful and well done. I better duck for cover now.  

It's rare but occasionally I like the US artwork/box art better. My favorite is probably Air Zonk I love that artwork, I had to get a complete copy with box for it. I also like the US Bonk cover art better except for Revenge, that one is kind of meh.

[Keranu]

Good thread! Gotta say, I like the ball color variety in Chew Man Fu .

How about Winds of Thunder vs Lords of Thunder?




There's less artwork obscured in the Japanese version, but I think the LoT font kicks ass (I think the name sounds cooler too). You think maybe TTi purposely made the title logo so big to censor the little naked fairy things on the bottom?

[termis]

There's less artwork obscured in the Japanese version, but I think the LoT font kicks ass (I think the name sounds cooler too). You think maybe TTi purposely made the title logo so big to censor the little naked fairy things on the bottom?

I'll agree with Keranu on all points.  Winds of Thunder makes me think of serious flatulence.  It doesn't even make sense.  How does thunder have wind?  Or, is it winds that come around when there's thunder, maybe?  In any case, it sounds lame.

As just for the cover art, the LoT font does kick ass, though I'm not sure if it's better than leaving the orginal art alone -- At least it gives better focus to the central point of the art (upper torsos of the two  characters).  I never noticed the naked fairies (because I have LoT), but it is too convenient that the new logo would accidentaly cover up all three 'nekkid fairies, isn't it?

[SignOfZeta]

There's less artwork obscured in the Japanese version, but I think the LoT font kicks ass (I think the name sounds cooler too). You think maybe TTi purposely made the title logo so big to censor the little naked fairy things on the bottom?

I'm not sure. That might be true, and kind of lame, but I think it has more to do with the irrepressible urge for US publishers to slather as many logos and shit all over everything as possible. Otherwise why would they make the SuperCDROM2 logo %50 bigger?

Fuck, you can barely see the dude in the US version. I guess its better than drawing all new shitty art, but its a bummer they cover up so much of the original. Fucking US publishers...they didn't actually make the game but they want to feel like they own it so they piss on it like a dog to mark it as theirs. The end product is just waste. Wasted money on new cover art, wasted money in committees trying to figure out how to change the name of the game, how to (badly) market it. Money wasted printing those stupid boxes. Why put a CD case in a box that is (or nearly is, depending on the era) identical in size to the CD case? Putting their names in the manual next to the actual creators...ridiculous.

[nat]

Zeta does have a point with those logos. Look at the difference in size and number of logos on the two versions! It's ridiculous. One or two more of those giant logos and the entire image would be obscured.