Okay, this might seem a tad shallow, but has anyone on these boards ever bought a soundtrack CD online, opened it up and marveled at the beauty of the packaging? Maybe it came with a bunch of stuff with it, like an embossed slipcase, or maybe it had a poster with it. Maybe the art on the cover and discs is really nice. Or conversely, have you ever received an OST in the mail with packaging so bad that your dog will bite you, you so much as let it in the door?

Presentation can make or break any consumer good, and soundtrack CDs are no exception. With this in mind, I ask you: What is the best packaging job you've ever seen for a CD? The worst?

In my experience, I have three that I'd like to list as my favorites. Okami had a sweet OST release, with the slipcase that had the really detailed artwork all over, the discs emblazoned with little pictures of all the characters. A work of art through and through, and to top it off, excellent music contained therein! Or what about the Persona 3 Arrange album? That slipcase with the translucent artwork, and the poster it comes with is sweet like nothing else. Odin Sphere is high on my list, too. That art on both the slipcase and the actual CD case is truly something to behold (I am hoping that if we get a Muramasa OST release, it follows suit), so much so that I do not want to remove it from it's clear plastic restraints! In my mind, these are as gorgeous to look at as they are to listen to, and I've never looked back of purchasing them.

As for bad packaging? I only have one I was truly disappointed with, and that's Ridge Racer Type 4. I purchased it recently, and when it arrived, I found within the package a blank jewel case with the disc and linear notes. At first I was more than a little irritated, I felt like the seller stiffed me. But before I sent an email to him, I did a little research on the disc and found out that is how Media Factory produced the damn thing. Just the disc, obi, and linear notes inside a blank CD case. I understand and appreciate that it shouldn't affect my enjoyment of the music (and it doesn't, I love R4's music to death), but I view this as cheap and lazy, so it at least affects the physical purchase in a small way. Through no fault of the seller was I disappointed! f--- you, Media Factory.

how about Tales of Destiny,, plain-ass newspaper quality inserts...

The SHADOW HEARTS ost with the mini photo-book was kinda cool.

The R4 soundtrack was the first VGM album I ever bought. I was disappointed for awhile, as you are now. I look at my copy now, with its extra thick case, and realize how freakin' sexy it is! I don't even mind having to put the disc in upside down. I just wish I would've had the sense to keep the obi.

I've always thought the Rockman X Arrange album was very well done; artwork in the booklet reflecting each song/remix. A very nice package. The MM and MMX boxes are also nice as well.

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest is a really nice item... all nice and shinny like a children's book with a cool OBI. The Rockman Zero Remastered albums come to mind. They're pricey but you (usually) get your money's worth.

As for soundtrack packaging I dislike, I can think of a few. FF9's special edition casing can go to hell. I just hate the way it clashes with everything else you're trying to store. This doesn't just apply w/FF9, there are several items where I've said screw the special edition because of annoying dimensions and the nagging questions of how to store it. Parasite Eve's clear slip case is among those kind of things; I can see how it's cool but the amount of care it requires over other things is kind of annoying and it's a major concern when you're trying to land a copy.

Also, Team Entertainment's release of the Rockman 7 and 8 soundtracks stand out as bad. Well, not bad, just a meger effort. Talk about a slap dash job at dressing up what is essentially a game rip to make a buck. What idiot decided to use blue on blue for the Rockman 8 disc? I know I only went to school for graphic design for eighteen months but the concept of contrast isn't that difficult to grasp. For $23 a pop I simply expected more (see IntiCreates Rockman 9) and this is not even getting into the warts and omissions in the recordings (which is the more imprortant issue) but I like it when a product is nice and full of thought from all dimensions.

The blue on blue color scheme was used on the Rockman 7 disc, not the Rockman 8 one; my bad.

While the Okami Original Soundtrack is still king when it comes to classy-looking packaging, the handsomely pretty eight-disc set up that is the Sakura Wars Complete Song Box comes a close second.  The Final Fantasy X OST Limited Edition is a looker, too; the glossy fold-out case, the hi-res pieces of art that adorn each fold-out, the multi-colors of each of the four discs, and the handy tracklisting that's embossed right on the slipcase all add up to one sexy-hot piece of packaging.

FFXII LE OST <3

Other top packaging:

- Biohazard 4 Soundrack Book
- Biohazard 5 OST
- Devil May Cry 4 OST
- Hako no Niwa
- KiRite
- Final Fantasy Tactics OST, SSCX Print
- Piano Pieces SF2
- SaGa Frontier II OST, SSCX 1st Print
- Shadow Hearts OST, 1st Edition
- Soulcalibur II OST
- Xenosaga OST, SSCX 1st Print

Crappy packaging:

Anything that does not have a rear label (Abandoner OST, R4 OST, F-Zero X Guitar Arrange) or has no packaging at all (Nanosweep 1-7, Trash 001-006).