It's almost time for Capcom to unleash Mega Man 9 for the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Xbox 360, so that must mean that the review copies of the game have been sent out to the world of gaming journalism.  What better way to make a game created in the spirit of 1987 ooze that authentic Nintendo Entertainment System flair than to send out old fashioned game paks complete with box? 

When we came up with the concept of a "box art" for Mega Man 9, we thought it was kinda funny, since there would be no real retail box for a dowloadable title.  The premise of our marketing concept for the game was to promote this title like it was 1987, complete with cheesy art and game descriptions (read the back of the box) that had little to do with the actual game.

We then started to think, well why not?  Why don't we recreate an old NES package complete with a real NES cartridge?  So, here it is.  What do you think?

Unfortunately, we weren't able to put the full game on these cartridges (the licensing and legal issues were a headache and not worth the trouble), but I agree, it would've been cool.  Instead, these carts contain a small CD with artwork, game information and screenshots.

This is the most fantastic thing I've seen from a press kit in a very long time.  Capcom is apparently planning to make a very few of these nostalgia-in-a-box kits for sale to the general public in the future.  I bet there are superfans out there who would pay a lot to own one of these faux game paks.  As much as I'd like to own one, somehow being able to just buy it doesn't seem quite as special as getting a review copy surprise in the morning FedEx delivery.  There's a certain specialness to this press kit that seems diminished if it's available to anyone who wants one.

That reminds me, I really do need to reach out to Capcom's media relations department...