NES · 1986 · Japan · Art: Nintendo R&D1 (Japan) / Unknown (US)
Metroid's packaging differed by region: the Japanese Famicom Disk System release had its own illustrated artwork, while the US NES box used pixel-art imagery of the armoured Samus modelled on the game's own graphics.
The Japanese Famicom Disk System release of Metroid and the 1987 North American NES release were packaged differently. The US box, like other early NES releases, leaned on pixel-art imagery drawn in the style of the game's own graphics, showing Samus Aran in her power suit. Neither region's packaging revealed that Samus was a woman — a surprise the game saved for its ending — so the armoured figure on the box played its part in one of gaming's most famous reveals.