Elite - Packaging

All versions of Elite published by Telecomsoft in Europe were released under the Firebird label. By the time "Elite Plus" on the PC was ready, Microprose had bought both Rainbird and Firebird labels from British Telecom. Microprose released "Elite Plus" on the Rainbird label in the UK, and with slightly amended artwork for the US release via MicroStyle.

The back of the Telecomsoft Elite boxes said:

Command your Cobra space ship in a fantastic voyage of discovery and adventure, a supreme test of your combat, navigational and entrepreunerial skills.

Trade between countless planets, using the proceeds to equip your ship with heat-seeking missiles, beam lasers and other weapons - corporate states can be approached without risk, but unruly anarchies may be swarming with space pirates.

Black market trading can be lucrative but could result in skirmishes with local police and a price on your head!

However you make your money, by fair means or foul, you must blast onwards through space annihilating pirate ships and hostile aliens as you strive to earn your reputation as one of the Elite!

Each of the Telecomsoft Elite boxes had a single screenshot on the back from the relevant version.

(Thanks to Exotica for the US Elite box image).