Welcome to a brand new episode of Defunct Games Decides, the show that isn't afraid to get to the bottom of classic video game arguments. Today we're jumping from one mascot to another. While the Review Crew tackles the likes of Knuckles' Chaotix and Sonic Spinball, we thought it would be fun to go back to the game that started it all -- Sonic the Hedgehog. With his bright red running shoes and snarky attitude, it didn't take long for gamers the world over to fall in love with Sega's blue mascot. But did you know that Sonic's cover art changed dramatically depending on where you grew up? Today we're going to decide who had the best Sonic the Hedgehog cover art -- North America or Europe.

Sonic: North America vs. Europe

AMERICA: Set against Sega's familiar grid design, this is the Sonic the Hedgehog cover I grew up with in the 1990s. With only a smirk and his finger held high in the air, we get a good sense at Sonic's attitude. He's confident in his blue fur and commands the world around him, which happens to be a gorgeous mix of loops, spiked logs and water as far as the eye can see. This is a tropical playground for the fastest hedgehog on the planet. Not that you get a sense of Sonic's speed by looking at this attractive cover.

EUROPE: Across the pond, European gamers got a taste of this much different design. While Sonic's pose remains unchanged, the artwork is slightly different. For one thing, Sonic's head appears taller in the Mega Drive design, while U.S. gamers got a 'hog with a perfectly round noggin. Beyond Sonic's design, this European box opts for pastel drawings of the game's friends and foes instead of the lush scenery of the Green Hill Zone. Sega's grid design also makes a cameo, but only in the bottom quarter of the design.

VERDICT: I'm sure our European readers will claim I'm biased, but I prefer the original American box art. For what it's worth, I think Sonic the Hedgehog looks better (i.e. slimmer) on the UK box. However, even with the fatter Sonic and boring grid design, I prefer seeing the tropical island setting over pastel artwork of Dr. Robotnik. What I find curious is how neither cover makes an attempt to highlight Sonic's speed, one of the game's biggest selling points. Hell, you can't even see Sonic's running shoes in the American cover. How odd.

Do you agree? Let me know in the comments section. And don't forget to follow Defunct Games on Twitter and recommend future debates to be resolved on Defunct Games Decides!
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