We are back, back, back with another edition of Box Art Brawl!
It was a biggie last time, with a pair of F-Zero X covers facing off against each other. That's not to say it was a close-fought competition, mind you. The character-focused Japanese cover walked away with a comfortable win, taking 84% of the vote and leaving Europe/North America in the dust with the remaining 16%. Yikes.
This week, to celebrate its arrival on the NSO Game Boy library, we are taking a look at Kirby's Star Stacker. This Tetris-style puzzler first launched in 1997 ('98 on Super Famicom) and tasked us all with lining up Star Blocks between two matching Friend Blocks to make them disappear. Is it the most memorable Kirby game out there? No. But you can't blame anyone for trying to cash in on a bit of Tetris fever.
Europe and North America opted for the same design in this one, so we've got a good old-fashioned duel on our hands. Let's meet the contenders...
Be sure to cast your votes in the poll below; but first, let's check out the box art designs themselves.
North America / Europe
Okay, this is cute. The Western design opts for a sketched falling block design in the background, but the pink puffball takes centre stage. A particularly happy Kirb clings onto a flying warp star, zooming around the large logo that occupies the top half of the box. It's simple, but gosh, isn't it sweet?
Japan
What's better than one Kirby? Two Kirbys! That seems to have been the design approach to the Japanese cover art. The background remains much the same, now mapped onto an even larger star border to make the most of the region's vertical box real estate, but Kirby still takes centre stage — albeit in a different, upright pose. But as we say, there's also the bonus Kirb walking along the logo at the bottom of the box. Look at that little guy! Have you ever seen someone happier to be doing a falling block puzzle??
Thanks for voting! We'll see you next time for another round of Box Art Brawl.
Comments 35
Both pretty good I reckon.
I definitely have to go western on this one. The double border on the Japanese one just looks weird and really isn't necessary with the blocks, same for the double Kirby, and I think Kirby is just drawn better on the western one. Japan has a better logo but everything else it falls short.
Now THIS is a high stakes duel.
Kirby looks a tiny bit cuter in JP but they are both marvelous
These are just about equal, but I gave it to the western one because Kirby has the puffy cheeks in it!
I came in expecting angry Kirby and you left me hanging like this.
I guess japan, I like a bit more.
A difficult choice this week. I voted for the Japan cover as the game title has the purple / yellow blend with the stars.
A rare case where the U.S box art of a Kirby game is as cutesy as the JP one: as a result, the choice is a close one, but I prefer the Western one a bit more (the border on the JP one brings it down a little) so it got my vote.
Both are very sweet but there's something about Kirby's face on the International boxart that appeals to me greatly so I'm gonna go with that one XD
Japan for me as it shows Kirby releasing a star which is a mechanic in this game as also seen in the NSO trailer - that said, the North American/European box art is great, too!
This is one of the hardest I’ve seen. They’re too similar. But sorry, I gotta Europe design. Just feels better
Kirby just looks cuter with his mouth shut. NA/EU wins this.
NA/EU for this one. Also, do check it out on NSO if you have not. It is excellent. Very fun!
The two Kirbys in the JP one feels a bit convoluted to me, so NA/EU one for me.
Also I never liked the name Kirakira Kids because... who are these 'kids' exactly? I wouldn't describe Kirby nor his animal buddies as kids.
...Reminds me of how Puyo Puyo had an obscure version titled Puzlow Kids.
Really surprised with the results so far as for me this one of the easiest wins for Japan. Kirby is just having the time of his life!!
This is the second time you’ve made the “Kirb your enthusiasm” joke.
First time was when HAL Laboratory turned 45.
Japanese one looks like little Kirby is pulling a star out of big Kirby's butt. For some people, I guess that would be an instant Japanese win.. but I'll give this one to NA/EU.
Both are great, but my vote goes to NA for that little chubby cheeked smile
I just like that kirby is flying on the star in the NA one. Simple as that
They're both all right, but I voted for the Western art, especially after seeing the Aussie box art used for the game profile, which made me a bit nostalgic (with the old rating symbols).
And US art without a menacing frown on Kirby's face?! Ah, the good old days.
This was a hard one for me but the NA one won for me on Pure nostalgia in the end. I remember seeing this one in the case at my local Kmart when I was a kid and wanting it. Got it a few months later for my birthday.
Prefer the pose and artstyle for Kirby on the Japanese one. Feels like it fits in slightly more with the hand drawn - looking background they share.
West for sure. That border is doing Japan no favors.
Im not ray charles but isnt japan better?
Not a big fan of the grey on the Japanese box art. There isn't enough contrast between the pink and grey.
Japan may have two Kirbys but NA/Europe has three Ricks (plus a few more that are hidden), so I think there's a pretty clear winner here
Thjey're both good if a bit simple and generic in terms of the key art. I like the background in both as it's unusual in a good way. The border on the Japanese one doesn't really enhance things. I think the logo style and placement works better for the western cover, and that's my preference this week.
I'm shocked Kirby has a smile on the Western release.
It seems I’m often in the minority on these votes. That sits just fine with me.
Box Art Brawls Current Total:
Europe: 101
Japan: 94
North America: 116
Australia and New Zealand: 1
I’d say the NA/EU cover JUST beats it. Also, I’m surprised Kirby is smiling on the NA cover.
I have seen someone happier to do a falling block puzzle... ME!
@EarthboundBenjy "Kirakira" (きらきら) means something like "sparkling" or "twinkle-twinkle" in Japanese. So it's "Sparkling Kids" or "Twinkle Kids" which makes sense given the series' Japanese name, Hoshi no Kirby (Kirby of the Stars).
@JJtheTexan
Yeah, I get the きらきら part. Now explain the きっず part please. :3
These are both really cute
@EarthboundBenjy no idea 😭
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