The greatest videogame covers known to man

[Gemini-Phoenix]

What would you consider as being the best ever videogame covers of all time?

Also, which variations are better for certain games - PAL, NTSC U, or NTSC J?


Many games are knocked out in double quick time, and as a result, the companies don't really put much effort into their covers (Fifa games, for instance, are never going to ever be considered as all time great covers)

Other games have really awe-inspiring covers - Covers which knock you away and would make great full length posters! They scream "Buy this game just for the cover"

I often find I buy certain games simply because the cover artwork is amazing - I have also been known to buy multiple regional variants of certain games just so that I can have all the artwork (Final Fantasy games are a good example)


I'd like to nominate the PAL cover for Vandal Hearts II (PSone) first as being one of the best covers created. I love games with artwork instead of renders, and this is no exception. The cover is simply amazing!


Secondly, i'd nominate the American cover of Final Fantasy X (PS2) - This cover has served me well as a wallpaper on my PC for many years, and although I flirt with many others, I always find myself going back to this after a short period of time.


Lastly, i'll nominate the PAL cover of Space Channel 5 (DC) - I just can't get enough of Ulala, and this cover is just perfect as a phone wallpaper!


So what other covers, past or present, knock you away? What covers are exceptional, and not plain average? What covers should belong in an art gallery for eternity?

[McBacon]

http://www.retrogames.co.uk/stock/assets/images/205_-_N64_-_FZero_Jap.jpg

I'm loving that one. For me, its mostly japanese Nintendo titles.

[AlexKidd]

I liked the cover of the saturn version of symphony of the night, much cooler than the psx version. A lot of 2600 games had cool covers that had very little to do with the actual game. I remember seeing the first Final Fantasy and thinking it looked good before I ever knew what it was. I also remember liking a lot of the covers on the original genesis games(in the hard plastic cases) though I can't think of one specific title.

[Slimedog]

Alien Syndrome for the NES. Followed closely by Rolling Thunder for the NES. Liscensed or not, Tengen made some niffty boxes.

[Pantechnicon]

I really like the artwork on the Mythicon carts for the Atari 2600. Those images seem to be actual paintings and not just some design work for the game itself. Personally I've always had a thing for sci-fi/fantasy art of this style and from this era and the Mythicon carts really exemplify the type.

[yok-dfa]

I nominate all Jopac game covers (except Flipper, Golf and Grand Prix). If you don't know what i'm talking about see:

http://www.dieterkoenig.at/ccc/po/s_po_gamesthirdparty.htm

Some highlights:

http://www.dieterkoenig.at/ccc/po/bilder/s_po_games_jopac_legion_box1s.jpg http://www.dieterkoenig.at/ccc/po/bilder/s_po_games_jopac_letresorenglouti+_box1s.jpg http://www.dieterkoenig.at/ccc/po/bilder/s_po_games_jopac_cosmos+_box1s.jpg http://www.dieterkoenig.at/ccc/po/bilder/s_po_games_jopac_catapult+_box1s.jpg

[MarHel78]

Elemental Gimmick Gear is one of my favorites:

The Japanese cover anyway
http://www.sega.co.jp/dc/db/photos/manual/990205_l.jpg

Here's the US version for reference:
http://www.megalong.com/games/ig/1923.jpg

And of course:

http://archive.gamespy.com/top10/january03/covers/7.jpg

http://archive.gamespy.com/top10/january03/covers/6.jpg

ok, ok, forget the last two @_@

[robotriot]

We've had this before, see here http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22832

[digitalpress]

Please see robotriot's link above - this conversation has already started and is always ready to continue.