Daily Debate: Do You Prefer North American Or European Box Art For Zelda Games?

Posted on May 23 2020 by Judy Calder

One of my favorite things about the Zelda franchise is the variety of artwork associated with the games. Nintendo have been careful in their designs of individual characters, enemies and over-worlds, ensuring that each is as fantastically unique as the next. Personally, I love diving into The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts to decide which variation of Link is my favorite. I’ll even admit I’ve spent a while deciding which version of the Moblin I like best! There is just something about comparing these designs that really captivates me.

Generally, the artwork for the Zelda series is the same around the world. We’ve all played the same games and admired their graphic designs. However, while those games might be the same, their box art isn’t. Being British, my games naturally come with the European box art. But when I realized that North America receives alternative designs, I was eager to investigate, and compare!

I found that while some illustrations were very similar, others were totally different. Games like Majora’s Mask and Phantom Hourglass had a stark contrast depending on their region, and I found it difficult to choose where seemed to receive the better box art all-around. But in the end, the cover of Breath of the Wild settled my decision. In the North American version, I simply feel as though I’m about to watch Link on his journey throughout Hyrule. The European version was so much more colorfully striking, and the way that Link is looking back at me is effective too. It makes me feel as though he is inviting me to share the adventure with him!

So, do you think that Europe receives the better Zelda box art? Or does North America get all the goodies? Perhaps you think it’s a mix, and you find it hard to decide? Either way, let us know in the comments below!