What is your box preference?

[cybermuton]

There's no motive here, I'm just curious...
When there are box variations, do you have an overriding preference?
So, for example, would you rather have a godaikin-boxed Voltes, or a Popy Volt In Box version?
Assuming that the content is equal on the figures, I guess most people would go for the latter, but then how important is condition for you...would you prefer a mint godaikin box over a rough Japanese box?
Then taking it further, what about Art boxes vs 'standard' boxes on Clover toys?
Further still - international variations - say a German Ark box over an American...or an Italian transformer over say, a French one?
And then having decided on your preference, would you go for a rough preferred box over a good non-prefered?
In my case, I go for the box design over the box condition, but I just wondered what other RJers think...

[Mr. Ginrai]

For me, condition of the toy is the most important, but box must be c6-7 or better. I don't expect to find flawless boxes on large size toys, they are just susceptible to wear.

For box variants I mainly go after the better looking ones (design/artwork wise) but depends on the price and availability - my clovers ended up all being art box which I love, but my Voltes for example is godaikin, as is my golion - but my godmars and godsigma are popy.

Another thing is the production timeframe of any potential buys - I was much more comfortable buying a mint matchbox DX dairugger than the popy one because it's slightly a newer piece by a few years production wise, same with DX Voltes.

If you are DX Voltes shopping, there are minor differences in stickers from popy to godaikin and the earliest popy had yellow elbows.

As for the arks, the Japanese boxes are the best looking and most expensive whereas the American and other country boxes will save you $$$ when buying.

But yes it all comes down to personal preference, usually due to design like you said.

Unless you are dead set on a particular box version, my recommendation is to weigh the decision on the toy overall first, then your budget, then which box you want.

[glane21]

It's even more fun to collect all the box variants!

[godaiking]

I used to be really picky about having mostly japanese popy boxed stuff compared to Godaikin due to keeping most of my collection in boxes, but since getting a nice display case, it no longer matters. I'll even take a loose, excellent shape piece to a boxed toy.

[cybermuton]

My preferences vary - and not always to the 'rarer' versions... I prefer my Shogun Combattra U-Combine to either godaikin box, and I would sacrifice a c9 box to get a c5 of the variant I like.

[mecha-mania]

While i prefer popy over godaikin versions, condition (box and toy) means just as much to me as well and i would gladly sacrifice a c5 popy set for a c9 godaikin set.

[KingboyD]

I typically prefer the original Japanese versions over others. And I am one of the rare few who prefer the normal toy version boxes over the art boxes (e.g., Clover Zambots and Gundams). But sometimes it just depends on the particular box. Or like glane21 says, its sometimes nice to have variations, if you have the space for it!

[cybermuton]

I prefer the Clover 'toy' boxes over the Art boxes too. In fact, it was the Zambot DX and Jr boxes that prompted the question...

[KingboyD]

That purple Zambot box for the super large one is one of my favorites of all time! (But the Japanese deluxe Combattler one is still A-1 in my book!)

[cybermuton]

I'm with you - the Combine box combattra is awesome. When you say 'purple box' for the Zambot - which do you mean? The 'regular' Combination Program one with the red flash across the front? If so, I'm with you on that too.