This 1998 Columbia/Tristar release is widely considered among the darkest installations in Godzilla's Heisei series. A universal error occurs on the entire box, for wherever they are showcased, two Super X-III's can be seen flying side-by-side with one another when in fact there was only one in the film. The cover features Godzilla centerstage (in his super-powered meltdown form), the crab-like Aggregate Destoroyah, the two Super X-III's, a burning Tokyo at the bottom, and a dark cloud unleashing lightning in the background. The back has an extremely wealthy compilation of in-film stills: Godzilla (after being attacked by the Super X-III), Destoroyah in his final form, a still of the Aggregate Destoroyah in flying form destroying a building, the two Super X-III's from the cover, and a still of Godzilla preparing to battle Destoroyah. The description's first line is incorrect when it states "Godzilla emerges from his own ashes", it's never been confrimed whether or not Godzilla died and resurrected when Birth Island was destroyed. Both sides of the box stick to a common theme of having pictures of the star monsters at the top and bottom and having the title in the center. One side has the cover Godzilla's head at the top and the flying form Aggregate Destoroyah at the bottom, while the other side has the final form of Destoroyah's head at the top and the two Super X-III's at the bottom. With it's dark theme, this release is an impressive addition to any collection.

On the back cover there are eight captures from the film, most of them very small and highlighting the naval combat sequences. A small shot of disguised Subterranean Annette can be seen winking from the bottom right. The background for the text is a watery design coupled with multiple "gravitonic rings." The synopsis text is not very descriptive, failing to name any of the characters and never mentioning the American super vehicle, the Liberty. Worst of all, nowhere on the video is it mentioned that this is only the first half of the two-part story. I was one of the schmucks who bought the video thinking I was getting the entire film, and getting stuck with the insubstantial initial chapter instead. The video itself, much like many of ADV's releases, is white.