It's-a Mario World: The Lost Premises

by Kenneth Caldwell { Aug 22nd 2008 at 1:51PM }

Being a solitary Mario fanatic is rewarding in its own right, but when the obsession is affirmed by other people, gaming geekery reaches new heights. More cultural icon than game character, Mario has inspired everything from an animated television series to an extremely lengthy scarf. And probably a couple of other things in between, like cakes and stuff. Most recently, though, we've become infatuated with the thriving community over at VGBoxArt.com, a website dedicated to all kinds of game box artwork, both real and imagined.

Barring occasionally subpar Photoshop skills, voluntary contributors to the site's public database have created an interesting collection of box art. Whether it be a reinterpretation of an existing cover or a completely new idea for a game, box art in the Wii category is worth checking out. Of course, the Mario-themed works take precedence in this humble feature, and we've assembled a new gallery showcasing the finer of the bunch. Click on and imagine the Mario games you'll likely never see.

It's-a Mario World is a weekly feature in which the ubiquity of Nintendo's flagship character is celebrated: We'll incessantly ruminate about mustache wax, debate the curious whereabouts of the princess and covet the luminous power stars strewn about the galaxy. Check back here every Friday to find out what strange and wonderful thing has got us tipping our caps.

Tags: boxart, cover-art, its-a-mario-world, joystiqfeatures, mario-bros., mario-brothers, mockup, super-mario-bros

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mr Khan @ Aug 22nd 2008 2:04PM

lol @ Super Mario Streakers

The premise i always thought of was Dr. Mario: For Real

Where Mario was actually a doctor, and had to cure the various maladies of the Mushroom Kingdom. Delivering Peach's babies, curing Bowser's 3rd-degree lava burns, injuring wario and then curing him, and fending off various malpractice suits.

Kenneth Caldwell @ Aug 22nd 2008 2:32PM

Haha. That's really funny, actually. Touché, my friend.

Dan @ Aug 22nd 2008 2:51PM

Haha, Super Mario Streakers.

Anyway, great edition this week. And about your question, I am not sure if I will be picking it up Super Mario Sluggers but I will make sure to check it out.

And you know, a Guitar Hero: Mario edition would be pretty neat.

Mickey @ Aug 22nd 2008 2:54PM

Mario paintball = Sweet!

that is probably the closest you would ever get to a Mario shooter.

TJF588 @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:12PM

"Mario in the Jungle" seems kinda Patapon-ish in its appearance. Did I miss something in regards to what the article premises it as?

Kenneth Caldwell @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:34PM

That boxart may very well be a parody of (or an homage to) Patapon, but I wouldn't know because I've never played it. Perhaps we should ask its creator, Lodovicok, on VGBoxArt.com.

Honestly, I was just reaching for anything I could grasp with regard to Mario being in the jungle in the first place. Vietnam seemed like a start. Then I thought of a Zelda adventure. Then the abuse of hallucinogenic mushrooms and wandering off into the woods for no reason at all.