If you're a super-serious collector of Nintendo Switch physical releases and love nothing more than seeing all of your purchases neatly lined up on your shelf, you might want to think twice about picking up Darksiders: Warmastered Edition. Then again, if you're anything like us, this might actually make you want a copy even more.
As spotted by Twitter user @ChaddyBones, it would appear that physical copies of the game have ditched the traditional Nintendo Switch red, instead favouring a full black spine. Just like Wii U's yellow Super Mario Maker case or the green box for New Super Luigi U, this one will stand out like a sore thumb.
A quick discussion around Nintendo Life HQ reveals that many of us actually love the black design, however, and would happily plonk it on our shelves at home.
Publisher THQ Nordic replied to the tweet above, saying that it "seems to be a printing error". We're not so sure - it looks almost too good to be an error in our eyes - but we'll have to wait and see if future releases go back to the traditional red.
You can see it a little better in this unboxing video below. If it is a printing error, it seems that there might be quite a few out there in the wild.
What do you think? Would you like Switch games to come in different colours every now and then? Or would this make you destroy your shelf in disgust? Let us know in the comments?
[source twitter.com]
Comments 124
I'd actually like to know if this is a widespread problem before launch. I've been on the fence about picking this up but currently have it preordered because it's pretty cheap but if all copies are going to be like this then I'd like to cancel. Makes it look like a Labo game.
Here comes the Physical-only army. Brace for impact!
Makes me wonder if Nintendo will do a yellow side label for Super Mario Maker 2, like they did with Super Mario Maker on the Wii U.
You're a mug if you buy physical copies for a handheld console anyway (tin hat on!)
A dark case for Darksiders. Why not! Its fonts that get me all riled up to be honest.
@RupeeClock I hope not. I'll be picking up Mario Maker regardless but I like how consistent Switch cases have been with their colours so far.
Wait till collectors make it the rare error-print original release version
@Incognito_D I'd consider going digital only if microSD cards were actually big enough to support it and if digital copies were as cheap as physical copies usually are.
Ah, Darksiders. Always wanting to be the edgy, cool kid.
Kinda like Pandora’s Tower on the Wii; it came in a nice black case in Europe.
I don’t mind a different spine if it’s a special game. A re-release of an unspectacular remaster, though ...
Cases are put in a box in the basement the games live in the entertainment center.
Why are the cases so huge compared to the game?
I already have a few that aren't red. The reversible cover for Spla2oon is pink, the Labo cases are black, and I've got another but I can't think of what it is off the top of my head.... The reversible cover on Night Trap, maybe, think that's a Sega CD blue.
I hate the inconsistency of my PS4 collection by having differently designed spines. Looks like an unicorn taking a multicolored dump in the shelf. Don’t want to have the same issue regarding my Switch games.
Looks pretty cool to me. Mainly a digital only person apart from the big big ones - Zelda, Mario, Smash etc.
It won't bother me, I have the Genesis cover on my copy of Sonic Mania Plus. I'm just really happy to see this one coming to Switch and more get a chance to play it. I got the Wii U version of Darksiders a few years ago for Christmas, and loved it.
One silver copy of Everything or Nothing has been fouling up my Gamecube shelf for years, but gotta say that black spine looks spot-on 😄
This actually looks very cool and would sit nicely alongside my steel case for Smash Ultimate.
Are we seriously complaining about the color red missing?? It's not enough we are getting a physical version now it has to be red?? I can never figure out the gaming community.
Apart from the printing error on the bottom of the spine, having an all black box is actually pretty cool. Reminds me of Pandora's Tower on the Wii.
@Lando_ I actually love that. GameCube is the same; with the front cover wrapping around the spine.
If it's a printing error, it might be worth some money in a few years. Maybe.
@Spoony_Tech It's a bit of an OCD thing. I have 85 Switch games sitting on my shelf, looking all neat and uniform, so sticking one in there that's different from all the rest would bug me a little. If I already had others that were different then I'd be less bothered by it but this would be the first and I don't want it that badly.
Loved the original on PC.
Loved the remaster on Wii U.
Might love it again on Switch when I stumble across it in a bargain bin.
@BenAV The first thing I do is always check to see if the game has a flip cover. Then I usually flip it anyways. Gets rid of the color most of the time.
@Spoony_Tech Haha fair enough. I never reverse my covers.
I actually like it better lol. I hate not having unique spines for each game. It makes it harder to find the games on the shelf.
All I saw is that THQ asked someone for a picture of their backside.
I'm going to file this away under "First World problems."
Is this a thing? Oh. How silly of me! I’m a physicalist but I like the variety. All red would be boring plus I have Labo cases which aren’t red. Probably not going to buy this anyway.
@daveh30
Sonic Mania Plus' reversible cover is also blue, at least for the EU release I have in the vein of the Sega Mega Drive boxes.
I like the look of that case much better.
Have well over 150 physical games now and doesn’t bother me at all. Like it.
Who would @ Jpswitchmania???? The guy is a pest and is the sorta self entitled “influencer” that we could do without in the switch collectors community. Sooner companies shun him and put him back where he belongs the better.
In case you can’t tell I am not a fan of his.
@RupeeClock yeah, I didn't think of that one because I keep it in the big special edition box, which has a yellow spine. I like having a few different ones that stick out.
Edit: does DOOM have a reversible cover on Switch? I know the PS4 does for sure, and I have that flipped, but I don't remember if I flipped my Switch copy or not.
I don’t care what color its spine is, just as long as it has one.
I thought you were going to say a different size case for a second! Different colour is cool, a bit of variety is never a bad thing.
I don't see a problem with a different color. I would find it strange if it was a different shape or much larger or much smaller.
I actually wish cases had a variety of colors, I think that would look better. I miss the days when cartridges came in different colors too. I loved how many Game Boy and GBA games were different colors, even a few NES-N64 cartridges did that.
I mean its too late now, since Switch has become associated with red cases like Xbox is green and PS4 is blue... but still. Also am I the only one who finds it ironic that despite the 3 machines being associated with those colors, none of them come in those colors by default? The Switch only has red joycons and those are limited and PS4s are all black as far as I know. I think there is a little green on Xbone S though...
Well it's sort of ruined already, as the text placement is different for PAL and NTSC regions, and living in a PAL region myself, it's either importing NTSC games, or no case at all (and no resale value, collection value,...) in many... well, cases. No pun intended.
But then again, I'd trade a red spine Darksiders for a black one without second thought, it looks nice that way.
In 30 years this will be $1000 on eBay.
@RevampedSpider Um, no?
@dartmonkey I had the same issue with Sonic Heroes and Sonic Adventure 2. At least they were together, but eventually I gave up and traded them for traditional white/black. However I’m stuck with the little pink corner triangle on Prince of Persia.
Wouldn't it be more sought after for collectors if it's a printing error?
@Ragdoll72 Depends on how many copies have the error. If there's only a few around then perhaps but if it's widely available then probably not.
@Heavyarms55 There was an ugly blue LE PS4: https://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/ProductImage/68-110-261.jpg
The transparent blue looks much better IMO; and it also matches the transparent blue cases: https://nerdbot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/jbareham_180822_0800_0085.0.jpg
I don't think there's an official green Xbox. And the Switch is always black, right? But you can get red Joy-Con.
No inside artwork? That’s really disappointing.
I don’t mind the black spine instead of the normal red... but no artwork in the inside is something I really dislike. It makes the whole package to look cheap.
@BenAV So we are still talking about the red rectangle on the top middle left of the case right? Just asking because most people I know that play games and pre-order games don't do it because of the paper inset in the case... But hey, you do you man.
Doesn't bother me. Looks pretty cool to me. I've already got this game on Wii U, so I don't need this anyway.
@Octane there is a dark green Xbox One https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/iK4AAOSwA3dYTrWn/s-l300.jpg
Eh, while yes I prefer homogeneity it's not the end of the world. Can always print/buy a custom cover art with red to slip inside the case over the original to make the spine match.
I buy custom English cover arts for all my JP/Asian imports that aren't in English on the spine/cover
@HammerKirby I think that's more ''Battlefield green'' and not really ''Xbox green''. There's no bright green box as far as I know.
@WhoaManWtF When I'm on the fence about a physical copy of a game, the fact that it's going to look bad on my shelf is certainly going to play a factor in my decision, yeah. If it was something I really wanted then that'd be different but I'm 50/50 on whether I want this.
@BenAV
I don’t know, Micro SD cards have gotten fairly cheap even at retail. My current card is 128GB and I have 14 Games installed, Zelda BOTW, Mario odysee, Mario U, Super Smash Bros, Diablo 3 just to name a few and I still have 60GB left. I plan on buying a 256GB Card $69.99 because I want space left after buying Final Fantasy XII and Resident Evil.
I mention all this because you made it sound like the cards aren’t that affordable. Large switch games are 16GB on average a 256GB Card will easily store over 30-40 games especially knowing that a lot of switch stuff is well under 5GB. I’m digital only because of the portable nature of the system, only draw back imo is that I lose all my resale value should the time come. Games like Zelda, Smash Bros they hold value over a long haul. Still I wouldn’t want to have to fiddle with Game Cards while I’m traveling, much better to have everything installed and ready to go.
Oh, the horror 😱
Who cares, just gimme the damn game already!
@Dilated The problem is though that I buy a lot more Switch games than you do. I buy physical when I can (85 physical copies so far) but I still only have 15GB left on my 400GB microSD. If I had those 85 games digitally instead then I would have a lot of archived games right now.
@BenAV Blimey, that's a lot of Switch games! Are you a bank robber or something? Where do you find the time to play that many games?
@BionicDodo Haha. I've had a lot of free time at home so I do my best to get through as many as I can but realistically I've probably only played around half (at best) of my collection which is getting close to like 300ish games if you include digital games too. Trying to only buy games that I actually intend to play but it still ends up being too many.
Doesn't really bother me, my Bayonetta steel-case already breaks up the sea of red anyway, the black looks quite smart to me
The Labo game cases have black spines.
@BenAV I know how that is. I've bought six Mega Drive and two Master System games this week and yet have games that are years old that I have still never played.
@Incognito_D BUT MY CARTZ, MAN! WHAT ABOUT MY CARTZ??
@BenAV
That’s nuts, you have the biggest collection of switch carts than anyone I’ve ever heard of so far. No way you play all those games it’s more for collecting I presume?
I used to collect comics back in the day so I understand the impulse. I only have 15 games as I only pull the trigger on games I know I’ll play either alone or with family.
I would love to see an image of your collection some time cause that’s got to have some games that aren’t so easy to find in there. Go to Wal Mart and the shelf only has like 20 games, but from what I see on this web site Switch has several limited run carts.
I have been making custom covers for my JP games with a more traditional NA cover stylings forever. How is this any different?
@Dilated They're all games that I at least want to play but with so many good games coming out regularly, I realistically won't get around to a lot of them. With eShop exclusives I only buy them when I plan to play them or when they're on sale but with retail releases, it's often best to get them at launch as there's usually some good deals around and there's no guarantee that they'll be available down the line, so I end up buying a few too many, haha. I actually don't have any games from Limited Run, Super Rare, etc. (I usually already own them digitally by the time they're announced and they tend to be a bit pricy) but I have a pretty wide variety of different games from different regions (Australia, UK, US, Japan, South-East Asia).
@BenAV - I am almost certain there is four other who have beaten you in the physical games collection on the forums already. Me included.
@Octane yeah, but I was just saying it to get the information out there
@Paraka I'm sure there are many with much bigger collections than me for sure. It was never my intention to avidly collect as many Switch games as I can or anything, there's just way too many games I want to play, haha.
@Paraka
Where do you find them? Is it all online because it seems the big retailers only carry the major release stuff.
I’m 36yrs old and stubborn so, not growing up buying things online I almost never do it because I don’t want to wait on shipping.
The switch being a portable, I went into it knowing I was going to go all digital mainly for convenience purposes, even though I knew Nintendo games hold their value and I wouldn’t have any resale value in my collection.
Still though, I guess I didn’t know the switch had so many retail releases.
@Dilated - I get you on growing up, 35 here as well. The shipping is always a concern more for their quality than their timing.
My JP imports vary from NintendoSoup, Amazon JP and Play Asia with a third party to ship many of my things that refused international shipping. Then there is Shop4megastore (thanks to the forums for this find) to find a lot of my EU ones since anything from Denmark and Germany is IMPOSSIBLE to import.
@AlexSora89 Get over it already and don't be a bitter crybaby about it.
The packaging fits the game better vs having the red tab.
Good creative direction should win out over 40 year old virgins everyday.
@JohnnyC give a prize to this man! 😂
... Is this any different from gold Zelda cartridges? Or the red Maximum Carnage SNES cart? A different color in a sea of uniformity?
People really have to complain about anything nowadays.
How is this a problem
@BenAV Really? You'd cancel a preorder of a game based on the color of the box spine?
I'd rather wait for some information about performance myself, but I already have this (and the original) on PC and it's a pretty old game.
@RevampedSpider Not wanting to spend my money on something that I don't want makes me entitled? Okay then.
@SmaggTheSmug I was already unsure on whether I was going to keep the preorder anyway so yeah, maybe.
and....do we know how it runs with actual gameplay?
@BenAV - Been a bucket list thing for me to collect one of every game for one system. I also enjoy some shovelware because I know playing it that what I will get is nowhere near the same experience. It actually amazes me where some games just feel shorted by funds of publisher demands that a shovelware title could have actually been good. Flip's Twisted World on Wii still sticks out for me to this day.
Also, if you want I can see if I can make a Custom boxart with the red spine for uniformity's sake.
@Paraka Collecting every game sounds like quite the task given how well the Switch is doing, good luck. How's many games are you up to so far?
@Incognito_D
I buy physical because I like actual ownership of my games and not something someone can eventualy pull the plug on a decade down the line when they shut down the service(points at Wii) and also I'm very stingy about storage space espacly since I can't aford a 1TB SD card -_-
@BenAV - Going to be honest, I never expected this big of a boon for Switch. People clamoring about no games on Switch are nuts.
But aside that I believe I broke 200 earlier this month. Will have to recount, cause I believe I accidentally added my LRG duplicates to that.
I prepared for this though, with various coupon type apps (Shopkick, ibotta, etc) and allocating my funds from the Wii U to prepare for their next console, I was already ahead of the game when the system releases, bought every game released up to November with relative ease (sans Just Dance, knowing their price drops).
@Paraka Nice one, that's quite the collection. Is that just all the American releases?
Scalpers: ("Heavy Breathing")
If I can't find any black spine ones would anyone wanna switch for a red one? the black looks nicer in my opinion
It looks kinda nice in black but I like when spines are consistent like EU PS2 boxes and how the Switch has currently been.
@BenAV - No, they have to support English language though in some form (That's some classic American education at work there). So I have both Bayonettas imported and often look for Southeast Asia releases to dodge the half cart half code deals Capcom and Square pulls.
@Paraka Ah sweet. I'm pretty much the same. I look for the best possible version of games I want with English support. I live in Australia so I'm importing from all over the place as we sometimes miss out on physical releases that Europe/North America get, haha.
Do people actually get upset about this sort of thing?
Life's too short, folks.
Looks be damned. The fact that this is a printing error that will probably get fixed makes it a lot more desirable. Also, anything unique makes it more collectible.
I can't possibly see how this could be a bad thing. Remember the yellow Donkey Kong 64 cartridge, or the gold Legend of Zelda NES cartridge? They stand out from the pack. The same thing that would happen for this game.
@BenAV - That would definitely give more credence to your stance on the way a spine would look, that's for sure.
I started custom covers cause I preferred the unity, and requiring the companies to accommodate when it's exclusive to Japan is asking too much. So I do them myself, and sometimes add inner art to capitalize on that clear box.
@Dpullam - Still a missed opportunity for BotW to have the first gold cartridge in many years of non-cartridge.
NO RED SPINE???
@AlexSora89 I think its an honestly bad issue for Nintendo that so many fans decide on buying games whether it's physical or not. The industry is going digital and there is not stopping it. Not buying games based on this only hurts devs. I do all digital and have for about 10 years now. I hate owning a physical games now as I don't have the space for it and besides half the games aren't even all on the cart anyhow. It pointless.
@8bitforever
Agreed, where I draw the line at the moment is streaming. I don’t mind digital at all because I can play all my games whether I’m on the network or offline entirely. I’ve had a digital only library for well over 14 years on PC and that hasn’t affected me at all. Currently I’m all digital on switch which capitalized on its biggest draw, portability.
I do understand people like to collect things so there’s always that, as I used to collect comics. But I think you are correct we are heading into a future where physical media is a relic of the past.
Nah this is ”Darksiders.” Let it rock. Be sworn to the black, stay metal!
@8bitforever - As owning 200 games, I can assure you not even 20 have had the practice that is pretty much a toxic stain on physical media, it literally is a waste by that point.
I prefer physical cause on a digital era (which will swiftly become a streaming one shortly afterwards), you don't actively have permanent rights to play the game, only til they deem it unnecessary for you to "own" it anymore.
If it's fine that you feel okay with that sort of agreement, knock yourself out. My opinion should never stop you. However claiming other preference to physical is a little haughty. Imagine if Melee was digital only and some memory card finally crapped out, no more Melee for you.
And that's the thing with digital on systems, they're ultimately timed to expiration simply to the tech eventually wearing out, sometimes sooner than one can replace it. My Legend of Dragoon copy experienced bitrot last year, I can still replace it now to even play it. But if the game fades away digitally, unless it's available on the new system it's touch nips for you.
Digital will eventually take over, and in turn become streaming and the major consumer will not even notice. I wouldn't be surprised if systems release post this are "rented" too.
@Paraka
I assume you’ve had steam at some point in your life though?
I bring it up because I’ve never had this experience that you mentioned here. A quick example is Alan Wake, that game is no longer available for new customers to purchase through steam, years ago I bought it. I am still able to delete it from my drive and redownload the game even though it’s no longer for sale, and that’s through steam.
I do get your point though, if your memory card craps out when the switch is retired and the store is no longer available, you are out of luck. My hope is this is a scenerio that doesn’t happen but in the console market it seems a legitimate concern. After all look at the Wii, that shop is shuttered, then again they didn’t have a way to attach purchased games to a Nintendo ID like Nintendo has today. My hope is that Nintendo continues to iterate on this device like Apple does iPhone or samasung on Galaxy albeit at a slower pace, a newer model every 2-3 years with tweaks and major changes every 5 years or so with major changes to Processor and screen.
This little gadget could be a good thing for Nintendo for awhile as the groundwork they’ve laid thus far has been solid.
@Incognito_D Your a mug for claiming it solely as a handheld device. lol
Seriously though wtf, why would you spend more money it digitally? using your method I would get no money back after completing because I could not trade the game in. Think man before typing something stupid, its not hard to use your brain.
Did you even account for storage space for 50+ games (my current libary is about 80)and many people are similar) not going to happen even on 256GB just like the cartridge problem.
next time you comment think to yourself should everyone do the daft things i do, answer no people are smarter than you and know how to save money.
@Dilated - I have Steam, not much on it. But, it is the reason I mentioned systems specifically, they are ultimately timed. PC is far more flexible, absolutely, but it isnt without it's own faults. I am one of the ones Steam affected when the controversy over Hatred happened and the were removing the game entirely off many people's libraries. Some claimed even uninstalled (mine wasn't installed at the time of removal so I cannot attest). Though there is a practice that those who have the game can still redownload it, it's equally possible for them to not do the same. And it can be as simple as a controversy over a creator or content of game to just simple licensing.
Doesn't leave a good taste in my mouth when others garner more control over something I should have. I did learn this early though in college which is why I am sketchy about digital practices.
@Dilated Agreed on streaming and I fear that will be our future at some point, likely in the far future but my teen saw what Google has coming and was like that works. A lot of the younger crowd don't really care it seems.
@Paraka So far I haven't had anything removed in my 10 years. Some you can't buy, but you can still download them. However, that is on Sony's platform. Nintendo reguraly changes their shop style which eliminates their older games where PSN hasn't really changed. I'd like to see the big 3 stick to that hard and ensure that older games can still be downloaded for longer periods of time. With that said, yes it is still a gamble in total to only buy digital. I am only upset when people just plain refuse to support a game because it isn't on a cart, which could be a barrier to the dev and they had no choice. As I get older I also just know I can't keep these forever so I have also made peace with it, lol.
@8bitforever
I will say that it seems that Nintendo has laid the groundwork with the switch to sorta streamline their service and potentially allow for a “Switch family” of consoles heading into the future. Personally I would be fine if Nintendo continues this path well into the future as a mobile device w/ home console docking. Maybe iterate on the system every 2-3 years and give it a nice power bump once every 5 or so years.
This is what I felt that Microsoft was doing when the president said “we are doing away with console generations” to me it felt like they were going to go the Apple route offering a console that gets revised and upgraded over time.
@8bitforever - I won't actively support a digital title if its price rivals a retail version. That being said, each game is definitely weighed for "value" to me knowing what may happen and how much I am going to get out of it in that timeframe. But there is often a time I'd prefer to wait for a digital game get a physical release simply cause double dipping isn't a practice I want to do that often.
Digital is definitely still in its infancy when it comes to home consoles. So the PS3 still being supported online makes sense til it is no longer feasible to keep it going. Tech simply just outpaces the system by nature.
@Paraka I wonder if the price is the same due to retailers? Imagine how pissed they would be if you could buy all your games at half the price by just buying digital? I do wait for sales etc depending upon the game. Some I buy day one regardless though.
@Dilated Agreed, I think its best go get a platform you can build upon and stop changing it so much. I think the big 3 all are headed down the path.
@8bitforever - Well, when in management for retail back in my day I do know several reasons for physical is cause those who bought games, toys or phones were likely to buy more items throughout the store on impulse when compared to various other departments. That is likely why the game is matched on retail for some scenarios, others are likely in part of capitalizing on people not wanting to bother going out to shop.
I wish more of the cases had different colors, or at least a different font or something. I hate the "wall" of identical red cases with identical bland printing on my shelf. Yeah, it looks uniform, but it also makes it so hard to tell what's what.
I have a few cases that dare to be different. Gal Metal came with a slightly darker red and silver print. Sonic Mania Plus has the Genesis label, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is in a steelbook. I love having these different cases. Good thing I was already planning to buy this one!
@mikegamer
Will do, sir!
@8bitforever
You know that such reasoning can lead you to a lynching here, right?
@RupeeClock
I hope they will, that would add some value to a game that's more designed with digital versions in mind anyway.
@Octane I was gonna say your first link wasn't that ugly, and I do think that, but that transparent blue is downright sexy!
My collections already ruined by having NTSC imports sitting alongside my local PAL region games. The fact the NTSC regions align text at the top of the case where PAL regions align it to the Center annoys me more than a black spine does.
A bug? I thought it's a feature!
Definately looks cool for a printing error, and happened just to the right game.
It's a Collectors value now open or sealed....might get two one black and one red. And only play the Red Spine.
If it is a printing error I'd be more likely to buy it. I really like my Resident Evil Revelaitons 3DS case.
@AlexSora89 Actually, I find this pretty cool.
@Incognito_D Why? Not everyone has to go digital. There's still some people out there (including me) who prefer to have physical copies instead of having to rely on our systems to keep our games safe.
If it is indeed a printing error, I want one.
@TheAwesomeBowser
By design alone or, less directly, out of love for physical editions?
I don't understand why they went with red as the standard for Switch cases. It's visual cancer.
@AlexSora89 By design.
Just had my copy of the game deliverd and it has the standard red spine
@TheAwesomeBowser
Then you're excused.
Its not a design choice but an actual production error.
https://nintendosoup.com/darksiders-warmastered-edition-printing-error-results-in-retail-copies-with-black-spines/
perhaps the reprints will be corrected.
@whanvee
https://nintendosoup.com/darksiders-warmastered-edition-printing-error-results-in-retail-copies-with-black-spines/
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