Do you think boxart/labels make a difference?

[zektor]

When it comes to the popularity of game systems and carts/cd collecting? I was reading a FAQ on the Commodore Vic-20 somewhere (since I am trying to learn more about the system, and hopefully complete a full cart set) and it said that one of the main reasons that the Vic-20 wasn't/isn't as popular to collect as many other systems (2600..etc) was because of the lack of colorful labels on the carts. While there are a few carts for the system that boast nice color labels/artwork, the majority were basically simple text labels. Well, there is the debate. Does the artwork matter SO much that the games are less collectable? VOTE!

[Alex Kidd]

Fancy Labels and Packaging are by NO means a requirement, BUT they ARE a welcome bonus!

Anyone who's seen the big box format of the Shadow Of The Beast games for Amiga(?) knows what NICE box style art is and how nice it is (or would be) to have it up on your shelf.

However, take for example Alex Kidd in Miracle World. Incredibly stupid packaging, but great game. However I must admit, quite a few people may have passed that game over due to it's box art being so drab...

I believe the SMS had the best and worst packaging... best, cause it was so simple, and standard, they all had the same template going, I like that, but they were VERY non-descript and unless you HAVE played the game, these boxes aren't gonna make you WANT to....

Alex Kidd

[Raedon]

On similar subject.. N64 and no top label.. you know.. whats that about.

[MankeyMan]

I said both, but truthfully nice artwork is a bonus. It's mainly about the game, but the artwork just makes it that little bit better.

[Keir]

I think the fact that VIC-20 carts have no end labels, and that even the boxes don't always have the game name on the spine, is more of a deterrent than the lousy/non-existant artwork.

I have a bunch of VIC boxes that someone wrote the game names on the spine in marker. On the one hand, I'm sad that the boxes are "damaged", but on the other hand, at least I know what they are without having to pull them off the shelf!

[Arqueologia_Digital]

I think the presentation and the boxart is necessary for a collector, well, in some times, the game will be a shit, but, if the box art is cool...it´s nice to buy it. I think that.

[IGotTheDot]

For me, some of the box art is the best part of collecting a game.

Take for example Combat in the original "book style" box with the 4 pictures of war on the front. This box is awsome!!!!! The game is great, but the box is what you see on the shelf.

Also Outlaw has a great box with the Clint Eastwood look a like on the front. Another great box.

I am grabbing up all of the Sony Long boxes and all of the PSX games that came with packed in controllers like the Guncon and Negcon and dancepads. So packaging is another thing that adds to the value of a game for me.

Gameplay is important to me when I buy a game for full price, but some games I get just to have cause I think they are cool and I am a geek.

My2Cents

[Raedon]

Also, the only reason I buy Oddyssy2 boxes is the ulta-cool artwork.

[Neonsolid]

Gone.

[PhoeniX]

As a young kid I would definately fixate on the box art, looking through the games at my local toys r us, I would make my decision with the box art high in my mind. This is perhaps why I liked the NES rather than the SMS. Nowadays I don't really care as much but it is still important--similiarly I think the name of the title is also important.

When I was a kid a remember thinking the MegaMan 2 box/cart art was very cool, but then and to this day I was always a little confused on why MegaMan's left arm seems attached to a right hand... It's very weird.

[underexposed+]

Yes the artwork matters. It pisses me off that americans like screwing around with beautiful japanese art eg. Suikoden , ICO , Skies of Arcadia the list goes on and on.

Mark

[ubikuberalles]

Both definetly. I think a big part of why Atari Age and Packrat Videos are doing so well selling their homebrews and Hacks are because of the great artwork they put into their product. At least, that's why I've bought many of their carts.