However, Perfect Dark is unusual in that the North American and European boxes have different (but thematically similar) designs, whereas the Japanese box opts for a totally unique red-and-black image which is perhaps the best of the lot; it shows Joanna Dark reclining on a sofa, gun in hand and sniper rifle nearby. It's one of the most understated covers you'll see for any home console AAA action title, and it works brilliantly – but why was it used for the Japanese version, and why did the western releases use two different takes on the same design?
Keen to get to the bottom of all of this (because we're sad like that), we got in touch with former Rare Art Director Kev Bayliss. It turns out that Bayliss – who now works at
Yooka-Laylee studio Playtonic Games, along with many other Rare alumni – was involved with the creation of the two western covers.
