DS Daily: Cover story

by Chris Greenhough { Dec 4th 2008 at 9:00AM }

The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity sounds like our kind of game: cute storyline, fourth wall-busting gags, great platforming mechanics, and fairly unique visuals.

But lordy, what is up with that cover? We're pretty shameless people (seriously, you should see what we don't wear while blogging), but even we would probably avoid eye contact with the sales clerk while buying this at our local emporium. It seems odd that a game with so much to offer older players could sport such kid-oriented boxart; if we knew nothing about The Chase, we wouldn't even notice this in a store.

Today's subject, then: to what degree does boxart influence your buying decisions? Ever purchased a game solely because it has an awesome box? Or have you been torn over whether to get a game, only to be put off by a crummy cover?

Gallery: The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity

Tags: atari, dsd, platform, razorback-studios, the-chase, the-chase-felix-meets-felicity

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Butters @ Dec 4th 2008 10:23AM

I don't decide on games based on boxart. However, if a game has crappy boxart, I do feel kind of awkward when I go to pay for it, and yes, I avoid eye contact with the cashier.

I find the boxart to be more annoying to own, though. When people ask to see my games, I am kind of nervous about it because some of those boxarts are rather embarrassing.

Kevin @ Dec 4th 2008 10:26AM

All abut the gameplay.

Eileen @ Dec 4th 2008 11:39AM

I bought Professor Layton simply because I liked the box art. Luckily, that turned out great! Then I bought Hotel Dusk Because of the box art and played it for several hour but eventually got bored and forgot about it until now.

ardzeii @ Dec 4th 2008 11:41AM

Almost did. Metal Slug 7. Box (not necessarily the art) was... wow.

Too bad it didn't have multiplayer support. I might have bought it the instant I spotted it. :))

Zealot @ Dec 4th 2008 11:54AM

I've only ever purchased something because of the box art once: Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzonoha vs. the Soulless Army. The holographic sheen caught my eye, and Rasputin sealed the deal. Two of the coolest things ever on one game cover. The best thing about it all was that the game was actually good.

Shirono @ Dec 4th 2008 12:59PM

I might try and get someone's little sister to do the transaction on this one.

...cause I really want it, but can't handle being a 22 year old getting it- the cashier might ask me if I want to preorder a Disney Princess or My Little Pony game. You know, or I could just get it online.

But then my Amazon suggestion list might do the same thing...

Actually, I usually buy/decide to buy games before I see the box art in person, and online most of the time. So the box art doesn't really matter to me.

chibi_wings @ Dec 4th 2008 2:40PM

but couldn't you be buying it for a sibling?? darn judgemental clerks! XD

imaginarythomas @ Dec 4th 2008 1:04PM

I'll defiantly be wearing a fake mustache when buying this one...

chispito @ Dec 4th 2008 4:14PM

I like games to have good box art, in case I want to display them some day, or should someone catch a glimpse of them on my shelf. But I wouldn't say the box art is a factor in the purchase. Not since I've had the Internet, anyway.

Arvec @ Dec 4th 2008 5:48PM

I've never bought anything because of the box art - at least not directly. The box art (and title) are the hook that gets me to look at the back of the box. I don't buy anything without looking at the back, unless I already knew what I was getting before I walked into the store. If the box has no game screens, I treat it as a warning to stay away or do more research on the title first. I don't buy a game because it has nice cut scenes - that's what movies are for, imo. This policy hasn't steered me wrong yet.

As far as embarrassing boxart - that's what Amazon is for. No clerks to look at and it comes, discretely, in another box directly to my house. If the boxart is soooo embarrassing that I can't even display it in my house, well, I can always 'lose' the box. I wouldn't be crushed if I had one less box to display - even though I am the type of person who saves all of the original packaging.