Welcome back to Box Art Brawl, our regular survey to find out which region got the best cover for a particular retro version.
Last time, we looked at Capcom’s DS jewelry Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective in honor of the 10th anniversary (in the West). The North American coverage stormed it with over 60% of the vote, leaving Japan with a quarter and Europe to mop the rest.
This week we stay with Capcom and Nintendo DS for another anniversary fight. Yes, Resident Evil: Deadly Silence released fifteen years ago on January 19, 2006, bringing Shinji Mikami’s original PlayStation to the Nintendo handheld in time for the series’ 10th anniversary. Using the system’s touch screen and adding a few mechanics to the original frame, Deadly Silence is a small underrated port and remains a great way to revisit the shocking horror of B-movie and visual images from the mid-’90s game in its original form ( as opposed to the beautifully slick, reinvented REmake).
The Resident Evil series is common in the “Brawl”, of course, with no less than four previous appearances so far; Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 4 have fought for your approval in the past.
So pack your sandwiches (Jill) and go back to Spencer Mansion …
Europe
The European cover puts the frightening Tyrant on a blood red background properly, with his mutant claw visible, though largely covered by the logo. However, we have a good view of its dynamite abs and its impressive set of gnashers above.
Not much is happening here. We like intense red and the general impression that the great evil gives, although it is a little forward and does not transmit too much of the tension you will feel while exploring the dark corridors of the mansion. However, I have to adore the little yellow drop of the Capcom logo.
North America
The North American deck adds more action, with Jill Valentine halfway through the jump, with two guns in her hands, one firing. She is flanked by a horde of zombies (and a yellow-eyed, yellow-eyed reptilian type), while the Tyrant persists over the entire collage. His large, full claw hangs menacingly over the image, though we’re not sure what he’s doing with it. Throwing shapes, maybe?
The logo is identical, but has shrunk to show more art. In general, it is fine, but more generic and less focused than the European version.
Japan
The Japanese blanket goes for something more thoughtful; something that evokes evil in the residence without showing the final boss of the game or a gung ho, a hero who shoots with a gun. An ominous crow occupies the central place framed by a bright red-orange light, and in the darkness of its silhouette you can distinguish the illuminated face of a zombie and the vague outline of the Spencer mansion.
Given that this was a game launched at the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the original icon, it is reasonable to assume that everyone was already new to what was “Biohazard”, so this more evocative cover would have worked. good. Although it is not so attractive immediately, we admire the way it avoids the obvious.
So you’ve seen the options, but which one is in your heart? Choose your favorite and click “Vote” to inform us below:
Fifteen years! Feel free to share your memories of this smaller REmake below. We hope you all stay safe and well – hhave a great week and we will see you again for another Box Box Brawl.