History Main / DetailHoggingCover

* In general, a lot of old video game covers using original artwork succumb to this, as the games were incapable of such visuals. A few (notably early UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem games) ''did'' use art which closely imitated the games' graphics, or even use images taken directly from the game itself, but most chose this approach instead. It wouldn't be until the [[UsefulNotes/TheSeventhGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames seventh generation of consoles]] that they started truly looking like the box art if they were using a realistic art style.

* Averting this was Sergio Pablos's intention with ''WesternAnimation/Klaus2019''. The characters are given the same amount of shading, texturing, and detail you would see in concept or promotional art, which is much easier with today's technology than it was with older animated films.

* ''Animation/TheAutobots'' has posters that, for a Chinese knockoff of ''WesternAnimation/{{Cars}}'', have genuinely impressive amounts of detail and look like actual Creator/{{Pixar}} movie posters. The film itself is ''not'' of the same quality, looking more like something Creator/VideoBrinquedo would produce.

* In general, a lot of old video game covers using original artwork succumb to this, as the games were incapable of such visuals. A few (notably early UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem games) ''did'' use art which closely imitated the games' graphics, or even use images taken directly from the game itself, but most chose this approach instead. It wouldn't be until the [[UsefulNotes/TheSeventhGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames seventh generation of consoles]] that they started truly looking like the boxart if they were using a realistic art style.
* The ''VideoGame/MegaMan1'' box art for the NES and the cover of the PC version of ''VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland'', both of which feature far more advanced graphics than the actual games do. Interestingly as both series developed and graphics improved, Mega Man was made to look more like the in game graphics and the ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland'' characters were made to look more like the cover art.

It is very common and hilariously noticeable amongst mockbuster covers to trick buyers thinking that the product is much more professorial and legit than it actually are if they didn't want their covers to be honest with showing screenshots of their awful products like many mockbusters also do. It's like all the budget went to the quality of the covers rather than the product itself which is actually their main point of marketing to scam consumers for easy cash.

* The ''Literature/WarriorCats'' manga covers, especially the Sasha and Scourge ones, tend to have much more fine details and shading (not to mention actual color) compared to the art inside.

[[caption-width-right:240:[-Guess which one is actual footage.-] ]]

* In general, a lot of old video game covers using original artwork succumb to this, as the games were incapable of such visuals. A few ''did'' use art which closely imitated the games' graphics, or even use images taken directly from the game itself, but most chose this approach instead. It wouldn't be until the [[UsefulNotes/TheSeventhGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames seventh generation of consoles]] that they started truly looking like the boxart if they were using a realistic art style.

* The cover of anime film ''Animation/SpaceThunderKids'' DVD contains rather high quality drawings of things that have nothing to do with the very sub-standard animation.

* In general, a lot of old video game covers using original artwork succumb to this, as the games were incapable of such visuals. It wouldn't be until the [[UsefulNotes/TheSeventhGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames seventh generation of consoles]] that they started truly looking like the boxart if they were using a realistic art style.

* Promotional art for ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyPonyLife'' invariably adds detailed shading not seen in the series itself and subtly tweaks the colors of the characters to be less intensely saturated.

* Basically all Disney works, including the page image provider of ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'' have this, but it especially applies with their low budget DirectToVideo films.

* ''WesternAnimation/AliceInWonderland'' did this with the opening credits, showing art that showed a lot of detail not apparent in the film proper. One included the [[PimpedOutDress overskirt on the queen's dress]] being [[PrettyInMink trimmed with ermine]] (which is reflected in some of the merchandise and mascot costumes), when it looks like white piping in the movie.

[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
* Basically all Disney works have this, but it especially applies with their low budget DirectToVideo films.

[[quoteright:240:[[Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/belle_and_beast_stylized.jpg]]]]

* ''Disney/AliceInWonderland'' did this with the opening credits, showing art that showed a lot of detail not apparent in the film proper. One included the [[PimpedOutDress overskirt on the queen's dress]] being [[PrettyInMink trimmed with ermine]] (which is reflected in some of the merchandise and mascot costumes), when it looks like white piping in the movie.

Remember TropesAreNotBad. This is simply a result of limitations with even the best animation.

[[folder:Video Games]]
* In general, a lot of old video game covers using original artwork succumb to this, as the games were incapable of such visuals. It wouldn't be until the [[UsefulNotes/TheSeventhGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames seventh generation of consoles]] that they started truly looking like the boxart if they were using a realistic art style.
* The ''VideoGame/MegaMan1'' box art for the NES and the cover of the PC version of ''VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland'', both of which feature far more advanced graphics than the actual games do. Interestingly as both series developed and graphics improved, Mega Man was made to look more like the in game graphics and the ''VideoGame/MonkeyIsland'' characters were made to look more like the cover art.

[[folder:Webcomic]]
* Noted regarding print comic-books In-Universe in [[http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=557 this installment of]] ''Webcomic/SequentialArt''. Although this may be more CoversAlwaysLie. The collected edition of the earlier strips could also be an example of this, due to the ArtEvolution between the original strips and the more recent cover image.

* Basically all Disney works have this, but it especially applies with their low budget DirectToVideo films.
* The Franchise/DisneyPrincess merchandise combines this with outright CostumePorn.

* ''WesternAnimation/HappilyNeverAfter'' and ''WesternAnimation/SpaceChimps'' have covers that are designed exactly as the films are. However, the sequels' covers have the exact same design style as the first film while the animation of the film itself is on par with Creator/VideoBrinquedo.

* The 1994 VHS cases of ''WesternAnimation/{{Doug}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}''
* ''Disney/AliceInWonderland'' did this with the opening credits, showing art that showed a lot of detail not apparent in the film proper. One included the [[PimpedOutDress overskirt on the queen's dress]] being [[PrettyInMink trimmed with ermine]] (which is reflected in some of the merchandise and mascot costumes), when it looks like white piping in the movie.

* ''WesternAnimation/HappilyNeverAfter'' and ''WesternAnimation/SpaceChimps'' have covers that are designed exactly as the films are. However, the sequels' covers have the exact same design style as the first film while the animation of the film itself is on par with VideoBrinquedo.