With all the titles out this season, a game's box art could be the deciding factor on whether it goes home with the consumer. That's why in our weekly box art reviews, we offer our swift judgment to help publishers with their designs. On deck...
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"Mirror's Edge" (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
What the Box Tells Us: A woman with a trendy haircut stands above a city full of skyscrapers.
Cons: Trendy or not, this lady looks like she put on her mascara without looking into any "mirror's edge."
Pros: Featuring neither men or guns (or men holding guns), this box is not like the others.
Love It or Leave It: Love it.
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"Smackdown vs. RAW 2009" (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS)
What the Box Tells Us: Two large, bare-chested men stand menacingly against a bright light.
Pros: Whoever thought wrestling was laughingly fake, well, they didn't talk to this pair.
Cons: The light behind them makes it look like they're hanging out on the surface of the sun. It also accentuates the flyaways of their unkempt and unconditioned locks.
Love It or Leave It: Leave it.
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"Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Lightsaber Duels" (Wii)
What the Box Tells Us: Play as characters from the "Star Wars" universe and wield a lightsaber... or two.
Cons: Overkill? In case you couldn't tell from the title, this game has lightsabers in it.
Pros: This cover represents the multicultural-ness of the "Star Wars" universe -- white, black, cyborg, Togruta.
Love It or Leave It: Love it.
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"World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King" (PC)
What the Box Tells Us: An icy, shadowy monarch wields his mighty sword while wearing pointy metal armor.
Pros: It's just so medieval and... metal.
Cons: But as Joystiq so astutely pointed out, this looks very similar to another expansion's box art: "The Lord of the Rings: Rise of the Witch King." Seriously.
Love It or Leave It: Leave it.
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"Call of Duty: World At War" (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, PC)
What the Box Tells Us: A man in a soldier's uniform runs and guns his way through the jungle while it's set aflame.
Pros: It wouldn't be a "Call of Duty" game if there wasn't a soldier holding his gun amidst a firefight.
Cons: It doesn't fall far from the "Call of Duty" tree; I could easily confuse this with "Call of Duty 4." Also, which war is this? Vietnam? Korea?
Love It or Leave it: Leave it.