Image: Nintendo Life
Hello everyone and welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl!
In last week’s edition, we took a look at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Back from the Sewers for Game Boy. It was also a very close call! Although many of you showed a great fondness for the art of western boxing, it was Japan’s happiest prey that finally won the day with 57% of the vote.
This week, with Mario Strikers: Battle League getting closer to its release on June 10, we’ll get back to where it all started in 2005 with Super Mario Strikers, also known as Mario Smash Football in Europe and Australia.
This time, because the box art of North America and Japan are so similar, the two regions will unite against the decidedly different design presented in Europe. So get off the bench, stretch your calves and get ready for another hot box art fight!
Be sure to cast your votes in the next poll; but first, let’s look at the box art designs themselves.
North America and Japan
Image: Nintendo
Okay, let’s start with Super Mario Strikers, and this one is pretty busy compared to the EU version. We have the same Mario in front and in the middle about to throw the ball across the field, along with Donkey Kong in the foreground, looking like he’s incredibly angry or about to get his scared pants wet.
The art style here is simply magnificent; a trend that continues with each subsequent release of Mario Strikers. The chaotic strokes of the pen give a certain sense of movement to the work of art that we doubt will be easily reproduced elsewhere.
Europe
Image: Nintendo
We ignore the fact that the European release includes a completely different name for the game here. The artwork on display is more moderate compared to the NA and Japan variant, with Mario throwing a flaming ball at the game’s title logo. Other than that, the bottom seems to have a texture to replicate the concrete, with cracks and dents splashed on the outside.
Stylistically, the artwork is still consistent with the series so far, so whether you prefer the EU version or the NA / Japan variant really depends on whether you prefer a busier or slightly simpler composition.
Which region has the best Super Mario Strikers box? (1,017 votes)
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North America and Japan86%
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Europe 14%
Thanks for voting! See you next time for another round of Box Art Brawl.