Box Art Brawl: Professor Layton and the Miraculous Mask
Layton Miracle Mask - BAB
Image: Nintendo Life

Hello folks and welcome back to another edition of Box Art Brawl!

Last week we checked out the Game Boy Advance version of Donkey Kong Country. It was a classic 3-way battle in which Japan managed to emerge as the winner with 42% of the votes. Europe followed very closely at 39%, while North America stumbled slightly at 19%.

This time we are back with the Layton series featuring Professor Layton and the amazing mask. Released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011 in Japan before a western release followed in 2012, it was the debut title for the 3DS and was followed by Azran Legacy in 2013. Like the rest of the series, it was relatively well received and enjoyed decent publicity success.

There’s another three-way brawl this week, so buckle up and let’s get playing.

Be sure to cast your votes in the poll below; but first, let’s look at the box designs themselves.

North America

Layton - NA
Picture: Level-5 / Launch Box

Overall, both Western designs for the Miracle Mask share some obvious similarities in terms of composition. Featuring a North American design, Layton’s adorable face is front and center, with smaller images surrounding him in circular windows. It’s a nice design!

Europe

Donkey Kong Country - JP
Picture: Level-5 / Launch Box

The European design is similar, as we mentioned, but it is certainly much more busy. There are multiple windows showing images from the game, while Layton himself is joined by supporting characters at the heart of the piece. Overall, the background color is also slightly darker, which helps the images stand out.

Japan

Country Donkey Kong - EU
Picture: Level-5 / Launch Box

The Japanese design is decidedly more abstract, showing Layton pointing at the viewer, with afterimages of models of his character spliced ​​across the background. White background too, mind you. It’s an odd choice, but… somehow it works? We like it.


Thanks for voting! See you next time for another round of Box Art Brawl.

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