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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion => Topic started by: Tatsujin on July 25, 2009, 03:10:29 AM

Title: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: Tatsujin on July 25, 2009, 03:10:29 AM
I like to know from you, which you think are the best TG-16 covers? most of 'em are utterly awful and tasteless (at least those which I know), but I'm sure, there are some exeptions (like GoT) :)

now it's your turn to prove, that the americans didn't just do tastless rubbish :P

please post some peppery pictures.
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: RoyVegas on July 25, 2009, 05:01:06 AM
As far as Hus go I always found Soldier Blade and Shockman appealing.  Just site of them makes me want to buy one off a shelf. If you are counting CDs, I like most of them but the art on Terraforming is top notch.  Shameless plug for Sparkys stickers!

(http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv33/royvegas/002.jpg)
(http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv33/royvegas/TurbografxCollection5022.jpg)
(http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv33/royvegas/TurbografxCollection4034.jpg)
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: esteban on July 25, 2009, 05:10:01 AM
Quote from: Tatsujin on July 25, 2009, 03:10:29 AM
... most of 'em are utterly awful and tasteless (at least those which I know), but I'm sure, there are some exeptions (like GoT) :)

now it's your turn to prove, that the americans didn't just do tastless rubbish :P ...



I used to feel this way, back in the 90's.  In the past, I would have loved for the TG-16 to actually have kool, ass-kicking art and packaging.

But since then, I have taken a slightly different approach (I've applied this to the art in magazines (http://archives.tg-16.com/duo_world_0002.htm#more3) as well):
 
1. Yes, much of the early (pre-TTi) art is lackluster in every respect (composition, execution, medium, skill of artist, etc.).
2. Some of these covers have an amateurish charm, while others are flat out cheesy.
3. That said, TG-16 coverart is, for the most part, original and unique art (of course, some art, like Space Harrier, is a straight clone of the Japanese original).

For me, #3 is the crucial point-- we should be happy that North America was able to add something to PCE history by contributing unique (at times laughable) artwork. The fact that this art brings a smile or smirk to our faces makes it more endearing and enjoyable.

And so...

4. The lame art of yesteryear is more charming and special now. It also helps define TG-16, since the composition and medium (pastel painting?) was pretty consistent. I don't think it was intentional, but this art became part of the "branding" and part of the TG-16 experience.

5. I don't know if a single artist was commissioned to do all of the art (I doubt it), but so much of it looks like the product of one person. TG-16 covers can be faulted for being too similar in execution and lacking variety. No risks! No pen & ink. No photographs. Nothing but...

6. What was the medium? I can't tell if it was colored pencil on paper, cray pas on burlap, or crayon on cardboard.



7. Off topic!



8. Chew Man Fu is simple, but packs more punch than the Japanese coverart, IMO:

(http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/qq182/Juce85/ChewManFu.jpg)(http://www.wolfgames.com/pcebeball.jpg)

Don't get me wrong, I like the Japanese Be Ball art... but it is crowded, and FLAT (there is no sense of depth). Still, Be Ball has cute stuff, which is good. But, from a "composition and execution" standpoint, I think the US cover is more striking and visually appealing.

I'd love a Chew Man Fu T-shirt / poster. Striking, emotive (I mean, look at the mean bastard... and his colorful balls).




9. Valis III has a great friggin' logo (for gaudy, heavy-metal tastes), and exudes a dark, somber atmosphere (which I like)...

(http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/valis/valis3-tg16.jpg)(http://diydollars.com/images/valis3japan.jpg)

...but our heroine is just a bit "odd" looking. Individually, her body parts seem OK, but taken together as a whole, well, something goes awry. I'd even give a pass on the platinum bustiere, but...  So close, yet so far away.

AND YET, at the end of the day, I prefer US VALIS III! Japan's cover is nice, but generic. It doesn't emote anything, really. And the Japanese logo is great, but it is downplayed in the composition and actually CLASHES with the anime-style heroines. The US cover embraces its heavy-metal logo. Overall, the TG-CD  cover is consistent and coherent. It's a goddamn work of art.

And our odd-looking heroine? Well, she just makes things even more special (albeit disjointed!), because she doesn't resemble Yuko from the cinemas at all.

The US cover fails to captue Yuko, opting instead for Sandra Bullock (who is a man, let's face it). Now that's localization for ya'!
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: exile on July 25, 2009, 11:17:07 AM
Dude! You hit it on the head. The Sandra Bullock esc. character looks more like a tranny than a hottie combatant. The artist was clearly a man who couldn't draw females to save his life.
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: Arkhan on July 25, 2009, 01:51:47 PM
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/52/ChinaWarrior_boxart.png)

seriously
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: BlackandBlue on July 25, 2009, 03:26:03 PM
(http://images.swaptree.com/images/vg/76/2006976.jpg)

Come on, the one on the left is hot.
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: Arkhan on July 25, 2009, 03:38:23 PM
Quote from: BlackandBlue on July 25, 2009, 03:26:03 PM
(http://images.swaptree.com/images/vg/76/2006976.jpg)

Come on, the one on the left is hot.


shes also smaller than your average hoe.
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: Necromancer on July 27, 2009, 06:11:29 AM
Here's a few where the US cover is better looking than the Japanese version:

   PCE   TG-16
Air Zonk   Macy's Day Parade balloon   nicely detailed, manly, and a tad bit menacing
Buster Bros.   too busy and incoherent   cute and simple, just like the game
Cyber Core   WTF is this, a magazine advert (and a poor one at that)?   actually looks like a game cover
Klax   zero effort - a screen shot   basic but inoffensive and at least they tried
Shape Shifter   generic and Lycos doesn't wear a helmet or have black hair   bit more apropos, though amateurish
Sherlock Holmes   clip art and text on a solid background   real art
Sherlock Holmes 2   same as before but with a brick photo backdrop   nicely done drawing, if you ask me
Somer Assault   cartoon slinkys ruin it   <-- cartoon slinkys! roflcopter!
Time Cruise   disjointed mishmash of various game bits   tad more coherent, but what's up with the blue and white border shit?
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: blueraven on July 27, 2009, 06:32:26 AM
I was always a fan of the American Cosmic Fantasy 2 cover art; (on the box). Also, the American Dynastic Hero LOOKS cool, but I'm looking for the Japanese version.

Personally, esteban, I think the dude on the cover of the American Chew-Man-Fu is  :-s. He Looks like my middle school Phys-Ed teacher. Be-Ball is, however, the busiest cover I've seen so far. Too much going on. I'm not an anime fanboy, but I'll take PCE over a TG-16 any day of the week, unless I want to play Keith Courage.
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: hoobs88 on July 27, 2009, 07:21:05 AM
Necro, I wasn't aware that there was a PCE version of Somer Assault. Did it have a different name?
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: sunteam_paul on July 27, 2009, 07:22:57 AM
Quote from: hoobs88 on July 27, 2009, 07:21:05 AM
Necro, I wasn't aware that there was a PCE version of Somer Assault. Did it have a different name?

Mesopotamia
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: esteban on July 27, 2009, 10:27:03 AM
Quote from: blueraven on July 27, 2009, 06:32:26 AM
Personally, esteban, I think the dude on the cover of the American Chew-Man-Fu is  :-s. He Looks like my middle school Phys-Ed teacher.

I'll give you that. :)
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: rag-time4 on July 30, 2009, 05:48:12 PM
My personal favorite among US releases is Battle Royale, because a couple of my buddies made it onto the cover:

(http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/0/588900_40517_front.jpg)

Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: TR0N on July 30, 2009, 05:55:51 PM
It's some thing it used the same cover art as the arcade flyer does.
(http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/9/588919_57036_front.jpg)
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: termis on July 30, 2009, 06:43:03 PM
I had to look hard, but Order of the Griffin is awesome.  I can't imagine this one looking better on a PCE cover.  (Just the Japanese characters alone would throw it off a bit, IMO)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o90/thumpin_termis/order_of_the_griffon_us_1.jpg)

Quote from: rag-time4 on July 30, 2009, 05:48:12 PM
My personal favorite among US releases is Battle Royale, because a couple of my buddies made it onto the cover:
(http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/0/588900_40517_front.jpg)


That cover reminds me -- whatever happened to Keranu?  Haven't seen much of him lately.
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: rag-time4 on July 31, 2009, 05:42:18 AM
Quote from: termis on July 30, 2009, 06:43:03 PM
I had to look hard, but Order of the Griffin is awesome.  I can't imagine this one looking better on a PCE cover.  (Just the Japanese characters alone would throw it off a bit, IMO)

Quote from: rag-time4 on July 30, 2009, 05:48:12 PM
My personal favorite among US releases is Battle Royale, because a couple of my buddies made it onto the cover:
(http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/0/588900_40517_front.jpg)


That cover reminds me -- whatever happened to Keranu?  Haven't seen much of him lately.
He's been taking a break. He said he's a bit dissatisfied with some of the goings on here lately.
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: Tatsujin on July 31, 2009, 07:11:47 AM
lol yeah..keranu and esteban are in there..great stuff. where is kreanu? :|
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: esteban on August 02, 2009, 06:59:27 AM
termis - I like the Order of the Griffon coverart as well. I am a sucker for D&D / fantasy art in general, though.

TRON - Cadash is D&D / fantasy art, so naturally I like it. Yes, they had ninjas in D&D :)

keranu - what the hey are you doing, brah?
Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: _joshuaTurbo on August 06, 2009, 07:27:57 AM
I don't think OotG came out in japan.

Title: Re: [?] best TG-16 covers
Post by: Necromancer on August 06, 2009, 08:07:32 AM
Quote from: turboStar on August 06, 2009, 07:27:57 AM
I don't think OotG came out in japan.

I know it didn't, and knowing is half the battle.