DIGITISER
  • MAIN PAGE
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Game Reviews
  • FAQ

A CELEBRATION OF VIDEO GAME PACKAGING

5/6/2018

16 Comments

 
Picture
I'm a bit obsessed with games packaging. Well, old games packaging. And "obsessed" might be pushing it. I suppose I'm more mildly interested, but that seems like a pathetic justification for an entire article on the subject. 

For me, the boxes were always part of the experience - and why I never really bought into pirated games in the way many of my peers did. I wanted games delivered in the way their creators intended - with the manuals, and box artwork, and all the razzmatazz. Even now, holding an old game in its original packaging can send a shiver along my spine. Although, that might just be a herniated disc.

Ha ha - I'm probably going to end up in a wheelchair! 

Anyway, with downloading fast becoming the standard way in which games are delivered, packaging, alas, seems to be dying out. Yes, that's good for the environment, of course (though, frankly, do we really need all those polar bears? I've never even seen one in real life, so it's not like I'm going to miss them), but it also - for me - dilutes the emotions a bit.

With this in mind, let us now celebrate the golden age of games packaging. 
ATARI 2600
Picture
Get a load of this: you can thank Kellogg's for popularising cardboard as a packaging material. And just as well they did start putting their cornflakes in boxes; prior to that, they were just all over the floor, probably.

The cardboard box had been invented in 1817 by the British firm M.Treverton & Son (though there is some argument that it was first created concurrently with a German company, who used it for a strategy board game called The Game of Beseiging).

You can trace the history of cardboard back even further, to China in the first or second century BC, where mulberry tree bark was used to wrap food (note: the Chinese also invented paper and "whispers"). 

Jumping forward a few thousand years, Atari packaged its VCS games in large cardboard boxes, containing a cardboard frame which held the cartridge in place, along with a manual.

​Famously, the fully painted artwork on many 2600 game boxes wouldn't have looked out of place hanging in the art gallery. Paradoxically, the graphics of most Atari 2600 games looked like somebody had attempted art therapy with a box of geometric Fuzzy Felts while in the midst of a full-on psychotic episode.
1980s HOME COMPUTERS
Picture
As consoles fell away - for a while anyway - and home microcomputers became the gaming format of choice for most, games shipped on magnetic cassette tapes.

Invented in Beligium in the early-1960s, the "compact cassette" was originally used for dictation machines. It started to become popular as an audio format when Sony released its iconic Walkman personal cassette player in 1979, thus introducing many youths to this popular parental phrase: "You'll damage your ears".

"Pardon?"


Software for most home computers - prior to those which favoured floppy disks - used the standard cassette tape case; a hinged plastic shell, into which the tape fit snuggly... with just enough room for an inlay card featuring instructions and cover artwork. Some early-to-mid 1980s games were bundled in larger, custom, packaging which helped them stand out on shelves or to include a novel or something, but generally most games used this standardised format. 

When I wasn't using cassette cases to store my games, I'd remove the cassette and fold the case back on itself so that the clear front stood vertically. I would then use them for my Star Wars action figures, as one of those clear glass computer planning screen things the Rebels had on Yavin IV. 

I was the coolest kid in my school. 
MASTER SYSTEM/MEGA DRIVE 
Picture
Sega's Master System and Mega Drive cartridge cases were simple enough plastic design, with a four prongs on the inside to hold the cartridge, space for a manual, and a clear sleeve on the outside into which the artwork could be slipped.

A few publishers used their own variation on this format - notably EA (whose cartridge design also bucked the trend). Sega's cartridge case wasn't hugely removed from the sort of cases which would later become accepted for DVDs, but at the time it was suitably distinct from the packaging of its closest rival. Who dat? Nintendooooo... ooo... oooh nooooo! Nooo! Oh nooooo!
SUPER NES
Picture
Right from the days of the NES, Nintendo favoured cardboard - which continued through to the N64. Whether it was the NES, Game Boy or Super NES, the outer box was cardboard, there was an inner cardboard frame to hold the cartridge, and just enough space to fit a lovely colourful manual.

Admittedly, there was a degree of faff involved when removing a Nintendo game from its packaging - and even more faff when returning it and trying to keep the inner frame intact - but somehow the unique printed sleeve made SNES games feel special in a way that the Mega Drive's mass-produced plastic cases didn't.

Admittedly though, the cardboard hasn't held up to the ravages of time as well as plastic cartridge boxes. Much like YOUR MOTHER'S FACE. 
PC BIG BOXES
Picture
When the PC started to become a proper contender as a games format, PC games publishers went all-out to make their products stand out on shelves. Often, the more rubbish the game was, the bigger the packaging. Did Putt Putt Travels Through Time really need to come in a box the size of a family car?

There was no standard PC games packaging for much of the late-80s to mid-90s - and the size and dimensions of the boxes tended to vary quite a bit. Sometimes they'd be absolutely huge, occasionally to house multiple diskettes and a big, thick, manual.

​Other times, a single disk would be rattling around inside - making it pretty clear that the size of the packaging was solely an attempt to draw attention to itself. You know: like a peacock does when it "fans" its "plume". 

Certainly, it made storing PC games a right pain in the brownsie.
PLAYSTATION
Picture
A sort of bulked-up version of audio CD packaging, the standard Sony PlayStation case also felt a bit like an audio cassette box given a make-over. There was a satisfying click when you opened or closed a PlayStation case, but the prongs used to hold the CD-ROM in place were prone to snapping off, or scratching up your disc were you less than careful with putting the game back in place.
DREAMCAST
Picture
Basically the same as the PS2 cases, but a bit sturdier, and bluer. Blue-er, missus! 
PLAYSTATION 2
Picture
And this was the end. Basically, video game packaging has stayed the same ever since the PlayStation 2. Even PC games migrated away from big boxes to standard sort of DVD packaging.

​There have been variations of course - Nintendo, obviously, didn't need an off-the-shelf DVD case for the Switch, but even that design is effectively a slimmed-down version of such packaging. On the one hand... this is good when it comes to displaying your games on a shelf. On the other hand, it's ever so slightly disappointing that the basic packaging for games rarely surprises - regardless of the publisher or format. The homogenisation of gaming is complete.

Yes, yes - before you whinge, we do, of course, get variations on the theme; steel cases, cardboard sleeves, and other custom special edition packagings - full of tat which, frankly, you really need to have a word with yourself about if you're ever tempted by. And!
SEND AN EMAIL TO THE DIGITISER FRIDAY LETTERS PAGE
digitiser2000@gmail.com
16 Comments
Alastair
6/6/2018 11:23:53 am

I remember being surprised when the Doom collection was delivered to my door, three CDs, a bundle of leaflets no thicker all in a box the size of those American cereals Sainsbury now sells.

Reply
RG
6/6/2018 11:45:22 am

I started this article thinking "I bet he forgets about PC big boxes", by the time I was halfway through I had started planning a comment to draw your attention to the omission. But then, there it was, bold as brass, making me look like a premature snarky pants.

I'd argue that the big boxes survived well into the early 2000s though.

Reply
MENTALIST
6/6/2018 12:07:09 pm

The first PC game that I specifically remember getting in a DVD case was Black and White, which came out in 2001.

Reply
RG
6/6/2018 01:00:09 pm

I think the DVD style started around 2000, but it took a while for everybody to catch on.

Neptunium
6/6/2018 11:51:03 am

If you're interested in cassettes, this interview by one of the people responsible is inspiring and I re-read it when I feel depressed about work: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/09/02/compact_cassette_supremo_lou_ottens_talks_to_el_reg/

My favourite packaging was always the Japanese Game Boy games - small but still able to cram in wonderful artwork, manuals with lovely pictures as well as the carts.

Worst is definitely PC and "premium" releases on the 8-bits where you'd get massive boxes which you knew your mum would be begging you to throw away.

I think I miss manuals more than the packaging. The NES days where you really had to use your imagination to visualise the worlds, the artwork in those manuals and the background stories were things I'd frequently re-read in bed before going to sleep.

Reply
Craig Anderson link
6/6/2018 01:12:23 pm

Aaaah, the Dreamcast.

The transparent plastic section of their casing was clipped on using the most brittle of all material. I bet they made the cases easy to snap on purpose, so that they could also set up a Dreamcast Case shop to supply replacement cases.

Shame that the Dreamcast didn't last anywhere near as long as it should have done. Imagine how many cases the replacement case shop I've invented in my mind would have sold if the console had been given a proper lifespan.

Reply
superfog
6/6/2018 02:02:11 pm

That Horizons speccy keyboard inlay is one of the best things I have seen in ages (and I have seen ships burning off the shoulder of Orion)...

Reply
Bingo Rose
6/6/2018 02:57:48 pm

The image used for the PlayStation entry is not of game packaging at all, but rather a novelty set of drinks coasters available from GAME, Amazon, and my mate Eggy Jones.

I swear it's true. PlayStation game cases were much thicker.

Reply
Eemus
6/6/2018 04:00:56 pm

SNES boxes... my twelve year old self... teasing, fluttering, inserting a chewed fingernail beneath the cellophane tab that read 'Nintendo Nintendo Nintendo' ad infinitum... catching that tab and peeling slowly and exploratory around the full length of the box itself, plastic wrapping smudged with excitable sweaty hand prints, the plastic tab unfurling, the slick shiny as-yet-unsullied box inside, finally opening itself up to my deftly nimble fingers...

Reply
Tony Noverham
6/6/2018 04:19:16 pm

I've got a top tip for easy N64 game storage, the cardboard inner bit fits perfectly in a retail style VHS case for easy access.
Er,m, am I too late?

Reply
Tony Noverham
6/6/2018 04:20:23 pm

I'm definitely an idiot, I meant SNES games

Reply
Raybies
6/6/2018 04:41:01 pm

Dreamcast cases were sturdy?

Those fuckers cracked if you gave them a hard look!

Has Biffo got a gentle gaze then? Does his loving looks protect things? He better get round my house, I've a guitar I want to last forever.

And some bleeding fragile Dreamcast cases!

Reply
Chris
6/6/2018 04:47:08 pm

"I wanted games delivered in the way their creators intended - with the manuals, and box artwork, and all the razzmatazz."

"custom special edition packagings - full of tat which, frankly, you really need to have a word with yourself about if you're ever tempted by."

Christ Biffs, that was a quicker U-Turn than that time Theresa May said there definitely wouldn't be a general election.

Reply
Robobob
6/6/2018 07:57:28 pm

Two things.

(1) Yay for super-sized PC boxes and manuals. Civ 2's manual would've shattered a glass table if you'd dropped it from more than a couple of metres. Probably. I didn't test that theory, or anything.

(2) The ratio of Switch box to cartridge is STUPID. I mean, why?

Reply
floop
6/6/2018 08:46:12 pm

the big box super metroid was my pride and joy until i saw how much it sells for on ebay and decided i'd quite like some new bits for my bike
pretend theres a reveal button and click this link
https://i.imgur.com/KfDdC0K.jpg

Reply
Dave
7/6/2018 12:49:29 am

I remember borrowing a friend's copy of Strider on the Megadrive, but then falling over and damaging the box and the (lovely) sleeve.

Rather than doing the sensible thing and saying sorry, my brother and I tried to literally patch up the damage using an old Super Monaco GP poster, choosing the colours carefully to cut out and stick on with sellatape. It took a long time.

It looked woeful, and we got found out straight away.

:(

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    This section will not be visible in live published website. Below are your current settings:


    Current Number Of Columns are = 2

    Expand Posts Area =

    Gap/Space Between Posts = 12px

    Blog Post Style = card

    Use of custom card colors instead of default colors = 1

    Blog Post Card Background Color = current color

    Blog Post Card Shadow Color = current color

    Blog Post Card Border Color = current color

    Publish the website and visit your blog page to see the results

    Picture
    Support Me on Ko-fi
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    RSS Feed Widget
    Picture

    Picture
    Tweets by @mrbiffo
    Picture
    Follow us on The Facebook

    Picture

    Archives

    December 2022
    May 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014


    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • MAIN PAGE
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Game Reviews
  • FAQ