game Genesis » Sonic The Hedgehog Box Cover
views 22,112   favorites 80 (?)  


hall »

Sonic The Hedgehog box art cover
By avatar TheSlyder 41 on May 2nd, 2010

[ Box updated on May 11th, 2010 ] [ original ]

comments Sonic The Hedgehog Box Cover Comments


Comment on TheSlyder's Sonic The Hedgehog Box Art / Cover.

avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Well, here it is. My big "comeback" box. It's been a while since I last uploaded something decent, so I figure what better way to break the ice than with a franchise that hold very close to my heart. Sonic the Hedgehog. From this point on I plan on creating boxes that are very anti-commercialsim with an emphesis on design, with little to no logos, screenshots, etc. Just a lovely image to represent a game for my personal collection. This is actually the first in what I plan to be a series of covers for the "Big 5" (Sonic 1, 2, CD, 3, and Sonic & Knuckles).

Everything you're looking at has been created by me from scratch (With the exception of the logo and Sonic Team image on the back, which I used a base to trace off of.) I spent a lot of time drawing and redrawing what I felt would be an appropriate cover, and I feel like this is adequate.

I've noticed that a lot of people have been making Sonic boxes lately, whether that's good or bad for me is beyond my knowledge, but I started this project before I started seeing the amount of other boxes, so don't think I'm jumping on a bandwagon.

I hope you enjoy this. As always, comments, critiques, and any opinion is welcome and encouraged. A higher resolution is available as the printable version.

Oh, last thing. I couldn't find the appropriate dimensions of a printable Genesis box, so I just went with the DVD size for simplicity's sake.

[ Reply ]


avatar
woopwoop11 38 [ 1 decade ago ]

Wow, if you created that art on the cover that is amazing. I dont know if I like the rest of the box being so blank but good job

[ Reply ]


avatar
Throavium 1 [ 1 decade ago ]

Some people might feel that the back is plain, but I don't care. I like this cover because it doesn't try to be flashy. All the player needs to know about is Sonic, and Robotnik being the villain, there's not much else to it.

[ Reply ]


avatar
DeathSpawn11 47 [ 1 decade ago ]

Woop.

DUR ET IS.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Drakxxx 46 [ 1 decade ago ]

Terrific artwork sir. I love the composition on the front.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Zac-A-Tac 3 [ 1 decade ago ]

I think you should put something in the back. 4.5/5

[ Reply ]


avatar
mchapra 34 [ 1 decade ago ]

Instant fav.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Karma 33 [ 1 decade ago ]

#7, Just ignore it Slyder, just ignore it...

Amazing work, the artwork is great!

[ Reply ]


avatar
jesse777 35 [ 1 decade ago ]

Love the simplicity +fave

[ Reply ]


avatar
afifan000 44 [ 1 decade ago ]

This is great! I love the flow of it!

[ Reply ]


avatar
Spiderpig24 48 [ 1 decade ago ]

Very creative and well made, I love all of the custom art.

[ Reply ]


avatar
dmshaposv 47 [ 1 decade ago ]

Really good custom art - I like how Sonic has the arms/legs of the newer version and the paunch of the old sonic. A fair compromise on giving it a new yet retro look.

I don't have a problem with anti-establishment in art. In fact I support it. The back being plain is perfectly fine.

What I do have a problem is the overuse of the checkerboard pattern. I get it - it is a main design aesthetic in sonic genesis boxes.On the front you could've made the frame bigger and incorporated other visual elements like trees or the rings. On the back - you could've used an entirely different design aesthetic. If you are going to go against conventional design layout, then I believe you could do the same for your art direction too.

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Thanks everybody. I'm glad you're all digging it so far.

Regarding the back, I wanted to put something more on it, but on one hand I didn't see a need for it. The back is conventionally a place for information regarding the game, and since this is an insert designed for a fan's collection, there's no reason to put information about the game. The only thing I've considered doing for the back is another drawing (But seriously, that drawing took me a week to do, counting multiple versions, and I just didn't have it in me to go through the process again. I really feel like I may end up revisiting this, though, and fix the issue with the future boxes of the series (Which I'm excited to say I already have rough sketches of ready for revision.)

Dmshaposv, I really respect what you said. I kind of feel that the cherkboard, while necessary for "old-school Sonic" was a bit overused in this project. My girlfriend told me so (She's the reason I have the brown border with the glow coming from it.) and I think I have a decent idea on how to fix the issue.

I'm surprised nobody's commented on the lack of title on the spine. I expected to get a little bit of shit about that, but I figured the checker pattern was enough to identify the game, and the ring is a decent indicator of the game number.

Oh, one last thing: The style I drew Sonic in wasn't a compromise of old and new school, but rather a combination of the Japanese Genesis Sonic style, and Spaz's Sonic (From the Archie comic series, around issue 50).

Thanks for all the comments, everyone, and especially the in-depth critiques.

[ Reply ]


avatar
niososonic 19 [ 1 decade ago ]

#7, You're giving this box a 4.5/5, while you give bad boxes a 5/5?
eh?
Anyways, its great!

[ Reply ]


avatar
Grand 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

As much as I hate Sonic, I'm obligated to fave just for the effort that went into custom artwork. And author fave 'cause effort kicks ass.

[ Reply ]


avatar
YoshiStar 46 [ 1 decade ago ]

Sweeeeet

Edited at 1 decade ago

[ Reply ]


avatar
Cerium 43 [ 1 decade ago ]

What? This is amazing and truely outstanding. One of my favourite Sonic boxes on the website FOR SURE!
The only thing that could possibly make it any better is some classic Green Hill Palm Trees in the background behind Sonic.

The back and spine are just perfect to be honest. Almost brings a tear to my eye.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Apollo 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

#9, I actually agree. While it's absolutely great you've drawn all the stuff on the front, and you might have gone for simplicity on the back... To me it just seems like you were either out of ideas or didn't want to draw anymore. It just feels so empty, if you get me, and it would be great to see that empty space filled.

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

#19, My logic was "Better to leave it empty than to force something and it come out awkward." But I have an idea now for something on the back that I might be working on here soon to update it with.

You know what? This is a perfect example of why there shouldn't be a limitation on edit-time. I completely forgot to thank Qwerty for his Gamecube template (Which I used for the DVD border on this.) Of course, I can't edit the original post now, so this'll have to do.

Edited at 1 decade ago

[ Reply ]


avatar
Lestat_the_vampire 26 [ 1 decade ago ]

Why the hell did I almost miss this?! Excellent design here, man.

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Glad you like it, Lestat.

It made it into the HoF! Thanks a lot to everyone who favorited the box.

[ Reply ]


avatar
soniciscool 11 [ 1 decade ago ]

I knew it get HOF!

[ Reply ]


avatar
sd1833 48 [ 1 decade ago ]

Really cool drawings, Slyder. This is wonderful.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Hawt Es 39 [ 1 decade ago ]

It's alright, not really blown away by it. I know what you are going for and for what it is its a nice graphic, keep it up.

[ Reply ]


avatar
KoopaDasher 30 [ 1 decade ago ]

My apologies for missing this one. Finals have been on my back and I haven't been on the site. This... it's beautiful, man. Truly beautiful, unique, stunning work. You've really captured the essence of Sonic. It's simple, it's concise, it's to-the-point, and yet you capture so much in so few images. And your custom work is amazing as well, I love the design of the art. One of a kind, Slyder. In a sea of Sonic boxes, yours' is the one that evolved legs and decided to walk on land.

[ Reply ]


avatar
ELCrazy 50 [ 1 decade ago ]

I really like this. The simplicity is greatly inspired, however, I do share the same sentiments as dmshaposv. Ladykiller taught me quite a long time ago that presentation is important, and here, I think the background blends in with the box too well, regardless of the difference in colour. The pattern is quite overbearing too. I'll still fave this though, great job!

[ Reply ]


avatar
Moogle 37 [ 1 decade ago ]

Can I just say that I really appreciate this back, and your other simplistic back, with Portal. I sometimes think that backs should be like that, it gets the point across and it looks lovely. But then I just think the point is going to be missed and I'll get "hurr the back is empty." So im glad you posted this.
I faved it already but yeah.

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Koop, I'm very glad you like it. I didn't know I had the work ethic in me to keep at it like I did with this one, and it's certainly payed off.

ELCrazy, I agree with you. I didn't realize how much negative space was on the presentation until you guys pointed it out, and I'm going to experiment with making the background less "attention-stealing."

Moogle, thanks a lot. I've always liked the simple background with an emblem in the center. Almost like a sealed envelope.

I've done some major retouches on this, and I've polished the edges a lot. I'm pretty much down to one thing: Deciding if I should add to the back or not. On the one hand, I like the back. On the other hand, I kind of feel like it needs something. I'm working on a simple illustration to put on the back, just a small 2x3 image, I guess I'll see when it's done if it looks good or not.

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. Very much appreciated.

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Bumping this due to an update, my apologies for the double-post. Please ignore version 2. I just messed up with the background color and redid it.

I want to thank everyone that gave me notes on things that could use improvement. I put a ton of work into this revised version. I really wanted to know that I put forth the maximum amount of effort before moving on to Sonic 2.

So this should be the final version: Polished artwork, a back that's been added (Granted, it's somewhat half-assed, I have better ideas for the sequels.) and I've fixed the presentation to do a better job, and I've corrected the proportions to be a Genesis insert, rather than a DVD case insert. I've also resized the spine-ring and moved the Sonic Team emblem there as well (See printable.)

I strongly advise anyone looking at the new version to open it in a tab next to version 1 and really look at both of them to take in all the differences.

Thanks again for all of the praise and support. I genuinely feel like this is the best I possibly have to offer right now.

So here's to my childhood, and one of the greatest video games ever created!

[ Reply ]


avatar
stevencho 44 [ 1 decade ago ]

Alright I'll fave. You put a lot of time and effort into this.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Nerdysimmer 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Awesome work dude. It's simplistic, organized, and well designed throughout. You've captured the aesthetics of the game without using much detail, which takes a lot of passion for one to do so. Congrats on the positive recognition, you deserved it.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Silent Oblivion 45 [ 1 decade ago ]

I love the new back, really neat artwork here.

And of course, the front is staggering. My favourite from you!

[ Reply ]


avatar
Karma 33 [ 1 decade ago ]

:D

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

#31, not that I don't appreciate the favorite, but you should favorite because you think it looks great, not because I put a lot of work into it.

Thanks, everyone. I'm really hoping more people will acknowledge the differences, because I changed a lot, and in my opinion made it significantly better.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Moogle 37 [ 1 decade ago ]

Oh wow, that new back is spiffy.
Ace job.

[ Reply ]


avatar
coolguy753 27 [ 1 decade ago ]

The front contains a near perfect mixture of clean, new artwork with a classic early 90s type layout. Each and every subtle detail (which, by the way, makes full view definitely worth a look) is important.

The back is just as superb. The screenshot is neither too plain nor too cluttered. And that goes for the rest of the back. Some people make no effort with their boxes and try to pass them off as minamilistic when they are in fact, just plain. Your back shows effort and IS minamilistic, not plain.

In short, I love this box. Well done Slyder, you've outdone yourself and if I see more work like this I may consider an author fav.

[ Reply ]


avatar
stevencho 44 [ 1 decade ago ]

#35, I think it looks great. The fact that it looks great only because you put a lot of work into it and not just because you found nice wallpapers makes it even that much better.

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Thanks. I'm still feeling a bit iffy about how the back went, but considering the other games actually have events in them, I can actually draw a second image that portrays an important storyline event in the game for the others.

I'm glad you like it so much, Coolguy, I really appreciate the elaborate comment. Hopefully I'll stay motivated enough to do the other games as well. I'm already sketching out thumbnails, trying to figure out the composition for Sonic 2.

Thanks, Steven. That makes me feel better about your fav.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Cerium 43 [ 1 decade ago ]

#39 For Sonic 3, will be the back event be Knuckles springing out the ground and whacking the Chaos Emeralds out of Sonic? I loved that moment...

[ Reply ]


avatar
KoopaDasher 30 [ 1 decade ago ]

Well-deserved MasterWorks, sir.

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Thanks, Koop. Dream come true here, and to be honest, I'm so glad that Sonic could be the box that got me into the MW category. I've always avoided Sonic since I love the series to much until I knew for sure I could do it justice, and I finally feel like I did.

Thanks for all the favorites, everybody. This was a wonderful piece to make, and I'm thrilled that you all enjoy it.

Cerium, I might just do that. Especially since Knuckles is portrayed as an antagonist in Sonic 3.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Unknown Flames 33 [ 1 decade ago ]

Congrats on the MasterWorks! It deserved it.

[ Reply ]


avatar
soniciscool 11 [ 1 decade ago ]

Masterbox!

[ Reply ]


avatar
TwistedTinkerToy 43 [ 1 decade ago ]

Nice art. The front is very well made. The back is nice too; I like the simplistic style of it. Congratulations on MasterWorks.

[ Reply ]


avatar
YoshiStar 46 [ 1 decade ago ]

Congrats on Masterworks! :)

Not sure when you updated it, but I really like the updated version. Line art looks a lot better.

Greaat job

[ Reply ]


avatar
Drakxxx 46 [ 1 decade ago ]

Congrats sir, very well deserved!

[ Reply ]


avatar
del337er 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Congratulations on your first MW, this is really well deserved! I can honestly say this is one of my favorite boxes on the site.

[ Reply ]


avatar
wasa-bi 7 [ 1 decade ago ]

It would be perfect with ratings, etc.

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

Thanks for all the support and kind words, gang.

Wasa-bi, I'm not sure what you mean.

[ Reply ]


avatar
sd1833 48 [ 1 decade ago ]

#50, I think he means it'd look better with an ESRB rating and developer logos. I disagree though, and congrats on MasterWorks, Slyder.

[ Reply ]


avatar
wasa-bi 7 [ 1 decade ago ]

#50, it is good (even though I am no fan of that sonic), but you should add the ratings (ESRB CERO, ...) and the logos from the studios (Sega, ...) to it, since they kinda belong to a box and they do participate in the design. they are part of it and can change the look of a box very much. Was this clear enough? (that's no attack, just wanna be sure)

#51, no, not talking about "looking better", just saying these are part of a box and of its design. You can have a very good looking image for the box, but such logos could destroy everything. That's why you should always consider such elements when doing a boxart and be sure it still looks cood with it. Without 'em it is no real box too, but that's just me and I would like to see a BOXart, not two images.
You could also say this is a very easy way of making a boxart without much "problems" (and such logos can be a problem), but this would sound a bit too much like some kind of insult.

Edited at 1 decade ago

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

#52, I understand, now. I see what you're saying, though I disagree. While you may think of it as BOXart, I think of it as boxART.

Specifically, this box is a personal project made to be printed out and used for display, I wanted it solely to be a piece of decorative art to wrap the game in, and I felt that things like ratings and logos not only make the box feel overly commercial, I also feel like it degrades the art itself.

Not to equate myself to any kind of real artist, but it's like placing a price tag or a stamp of ownership on the Mona Lisa.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Cerium 43 [ 1 decade ago ]

#53 I sorta agree with you yet at the same time, I don't.
I mean would putting a SEGA logo on a Sonic-related product, item or piece of art be degrading or overly commercial? Considering SEGA did create the whole franchise and own the rights to Sonic? I can understand about other logos, age ratings, barcode, terms & conditions...etc and other stuff you find on boxarts though.

Oh and I find your Mona Lisa example totally irrelevant! A better example would be, it would be like the author of the Mona Lisa putting his signiture in the bottom corner.

Edited at 1 decade ago

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

"A better example would be, it would be like the author of the Mona Lisa putting his signiture in the bottom corner."

Not at all, since I'm the artist that painted this picture. The Mona Lisa is kind of hard to use since she isn't an intellectual property that a company owns, but the closest thing would be, in addition to having Leo's signature on the painting, Mona Lisa also stamps her name in the corner, and (Let's just pretend this is how it happened for relevancy's sake.) the owner of the building the painting was done in also stamped his name, and the manufacturer of his paints also put a stamp on the painting.

[ Reply ]


avatar
wasa-bi 7 [ 1 decade ago ]

than you should post this on some art-board, because ratings etc. are part of BOXarts and boxARTS. Without it's just artwork ;)

[ Reply ]


avatar
coolguy753 27 [ 1 decade ago ]

#56, If he were to implement that (although I'm not sure it is the best idea), I think they would fit better on the back.

Also, I hope you're not going to copy the exact same layout with different art on your next entry in this series, because if so, I think that would ruin the whole point of this. I believe each one should be unique, not just from other Sonic boxes but from each other as well.

[ Reply ]


avatar
mariones212 1 [ 1 decade ago ]

great job really retro

[ Reply ]


avatar
tleeart 45 [ 1 decade ago ]

I don't personally dig the back, simply because there is such a large amount of the checker pattern in it, but the idea behind this and not the effort necessarilly (though the effort is apparent), but the skill that went into this makes it such an amazing piece.

It makes me want to do an artistic take for every game I own. But that would be 100+ covers. But I may do this for a couple of franchises such as Kingdom Hearts and Devil May Cry, if you don't mind. I don't know if I would do it from scratch, though...

[ Reply ]


avatar
Eggboy'13 48 [ 1 decade ago ]

God I love this box..


ps. Robotnik is fantasizing about your mom.

[ Reply ]


avatar
Dario 23 [ 1 decade ago ]

The front is amazing but what about the back?

[ Reply ]


avatar
TheSlyder 41 [ 1 decade ago ]

#61, The back was intentionally left mostly blank. I like it like that, and I think it's classy. (See also: My Portal box.)

[ Reply ]


avatar
E-FlowGFX 29 [ 1 decade ago ]

On the printable the logo is choppy

Everything else is amazing, I just wanted to point that out

[ Reply ]