Poll: Box Art Brawl – Duel: Demon’s Crest (SNES)
Last week’s Box Art Brawl had us diving into the colorful world of Mario Paint for the SNES, where the battle saw the Western design triumph over Japan’s offering with a whopping 89% of the votes. The decision highlighted a preference for vibrant and whimsical art styles among our participants, leaving the more minimalist approach in the dust.
This week, we remain in the realm of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) as we turn our attention to a cult classic: Capcom’s Demon’s Crest. Launched in the mid-’90s (1994 in Japan and ’95 in Europe), Demon’s Crest has earned its place in the hearts of side-scrolling action game fans and continues to be accessible to enthusiasts via the Nintendo Switch Online service. The game features Firebrand, a fearsome demon on a quest that crisscrosses a hauntingly beautiful landscape fraught with danger.
For this week’s Box Art Brawl, we have a direct face-off despite slight regional variations in the Western releases; these differences were considered too minor to warrant separate evaluations. So, prepare to pick your preferred cover art, but before we dive into the voting, let’s examine the contenders more closely.
In the first corner, we have the protagonist Firebrand, depicted in what can only be described as the perfect embodiment of a demon hero – clutching a skull, wings unfurled, ready for battle. This imagery not only captures the essence of Demon’s Crest but also serves as an iconic piece of video game artwork that conveys strength, mystery, and the supernatural.
The Japanese version takes advantage of the portrait orientation typical of SNES box arts in the region, offering a canvas that artfully combines Firebrand with a backdrop that hints at a descent into Hell. The vivid colors, along with strategic uses of blues and reds, illuminate Firebrand against a tempest of thunderbolts – enhancing the dramatic effect and inviting onlookers into a world of dark fantasy.
Now it’s your turn to decide which Demon’s Crest box art reigns supreme. Will it be the bold and menacing visage of Firebrand set against the infernal abyss, or does the more direct and confrontational stance, skull in hand, speak to your inner demon slayer? Cast your vote and let your voice be heard in this battle of artistic expressions from a bygone era of gaming.
As we continue to explore and celebrate the visual diversity of video game box art from around the globe, your participation not only contributes to the preservation of gaming history but also sheds light on the unique artistic approaches that define our favorite titles. So, choose wisely – the fate of Demon’s Crest’s legacy is in your hands.
