Box Art Brawl: Kid Icarus (NES)

Console Games, Nintendo Life

Exploring the Artwork of Kid Icarus on NES

Greetings gamers, and welcome back to another exciting edition of Box Art Brawl!

Before we dive into this week’s showdown, let’s take a quick look back at our last contest. Balloon Fight for the NES, inspired by Joust, had a fierce competition among fans. The pixel art black box from the US emerged victorious with 42% of the votes. Japan trailed with 33%, while Europe scored 24%.

This time, we’re revisiting the NES to explore another iconic title: Kid Icarus. Initially released in 1986 in Japan and 1987 in the west, Kid Icarus quickly became a beloved classic among Nintendo enthusiasts. The 3DS sequel, Kid Icarus: Uprising by Masahiro Sakurai, is widely regarded as one of the handheld’s top games.

Just like last week’s Balloon Fight, we have a three-way clash of box art designs. Let’s delve into the details.

Don’t forget to cast your votes in the poll below, but first, let’s examine the box art creations.

North America

Image: Nintendo / Mobygames

The North American box art features the classic pixel art style reminiscent of many NES titles in the region. While it’s not the typical ‘black box’ design, it still captures the essence of NES game covers. The iconic Pit sprite is prominently displayed, giving fans a glimpse of the gameplay.

Europe

Kid Icarus - EU
Image: Nintendo / Launch Box

The European box art presents a serene image of Pit, floating mid-air while aiming his bow. The design, though different from modern standards, exudes a sense of simplicity and charm.

Japan

Kid Icarus - JP
Image: Nintendo / Mobygames

Japan’s box art showcases a similar image of Pit as seen in Europe but with a slightly different angle and a heavenly yellow glow. The lighter color palette and elegant Japanese text add a unique touch to the overall design.

Thank you for participating in the poll! Stay tuned for the next round of Box Art Brawl.