7. Mega Man (NES)
The Box Art: Mega Man is one of video game's best-known characters, though looking at this attempt to "art" the original game box, somebody was seriously trying to sabotage the little guy's chances at success. And they genuinely did: it's presumed that this mind-boggling depiction of the in-game action was the cause of
Mega Man's relatively low sales in North America. What you've got, then, is a wrinkled, decrepit old man squeezed into a suit that looks like it's left over from a low-rent lazer tag tournament. Look how he's holding that gun.
Actually look at it. And I won't even go into those background aesethics, for the sake of our sanities.
The Pitch:Capcom Artist: "Any thoughts on the box art, boss?" Capcom President: "Yeah... just make it... just make it, you know, Mega Man." Capcom Artist: "Mega Man?" Capcom President: "Yeah, just, like... 'Mega Man,' you know? You've played the game, right?" Capcom Artist: "No, sir. Have you?" Capcom President: "Duh, of course. I mean, not physically, no, but... spiritually. Aren't we all Mega Men, really, deep down?" Capcom Artist: "Uh..." Capcom President: "I think he's probably about sixty. Base it around the fact that he's sixty years old. And then, like, draw some space castles and explosions in the background. Americans will buy anything with an explosion in the background." Capcom Artist: "What about palm trees?" Capcom President: "Oh, William, so naive. Of course palm trees."