DOOM 3
11. Super Mario Galaxy
The slick and vibrant graphics of this cover are true to the ‘galaxy’ setting while also updating Super Mario for a new console and a new era in gaming.
10. Tomb Raider
Every Tomb Raider game, from 1996 to 2008, has featured Lara Croft on the cover. The iconic Lara Croft image has always featured the protagonist in shorts, a singlet, gloves, and wielding two pistols — so recognizable that the designers behind 2008’s ‘Tomb Raider: Legend’ were confident you’d be able to recognize Lara even with her face obscured. The only deviation? 2000s ‘Tomb Raider: Chronicles’, where Lara is wearingsome kind of freaky black body-suit. Nine years on that cover sticks out like a sore thumb, but the others have helped keep the iconic Lara image alive.
Tomb Raider (1996)
Tomb Raider: Legend (2008)
9. Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy is one of the most successful game franchises in history. Its covers hinge around a Final Fantasy logo backed by a chromatic illustration of key themes/characters from the game. The logo is simple, yet the chromatic element provides enough interest for the game cover to feature nothing else but a white background. While there are many variations on this theme, the Final Fantasy X cover demonstrates the power of this simple logo to its best effect.
8. Ultima VII: The Black Gate
Once you’ve reached the 7th game in a franchise, people know what ‘Ultima’ means. That’s why when your game is called ‘The Black Gate’, you can afford to have a black cover with nothing but your logo on it. This brilliantly under-stated design allowed the Ultima brand to speak for itself: a clear statement of self-confidence. The game is widely regarded to be the best in the Ultima franchise and one of the best RPGs of all time.
7. Mortal Kombat
The encircled dragon logo has featured on the cover of every single Mortal Kombat franchise game ever released. It’s a brilliant icon that captures the spirit of the game. Of all the covers featuring this logo, the first is arguably the best: featuring the dragon logo, the game title and its distinctive red, yellow and black color scheme, the cover is an example of powerful graphic design that simplifies the subject down to its essential elements.
6. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
In a large franchise like MGS, it’s essential that each game cover ties together with other installments in the series. Except for the original Metal Gear Solid for PlayStation (1998), each cover has featured key characters illustrated in manga style, emphasizing the game’s Japanese roots.
5. Grim Fandango
The imagery of Grim Fandango, with its art deco style and skull-headed characters, was always going to make for a striking cover. The game’s warm colors, mysterious characters and old-school intrigues are brilliantly portrayed in this movie-poster style game cover.
4. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The sword, shield and red ‘ZELDA’ logo have become pop-culture icons. In the limited size environment of an SNES game cover, it’s best to stick to what matters. That’s what the designers have done here. Even the background color choice — gold –helps to communicate that the game is a fantasy journey.
3. Super Mario Bros.
The first in a franchise of dozens, this cover marks the beginning of the iconic ‘Super Mario’ image. While Mario has been depicted in many different ways since this game’s release in 1985, Mario in all his pixelated glory has remained the most recognizable.
2. Half-Life 2: The Orange Box
The Orange Box cover design doesn’t feature complex Photoshop techniques and over-complicated imagery, and that’s what makes it great. It stands out on game store shelves and in your own collection due to the bright ’safety’ orange of the plastic and cover and iconic imagery representing the content in the package: Gordan Freeman’s face representing Half Life 2, the portal symbol, and one of the distinctly recognizable characters from Team Fortress. The unique branding has also allowed Valve to tie this in with Half-Life 2’s web presence atorange.half-life2.com.
1. Grand Theft Auto IV
The legendary Grand Theft Auto games utilize a design theme that is recognizable from across the room. Covers feature split section artwork capturing the characters and scenes you’ll find inside the game, all illustrated in a distinct style by Ian McQue, lead concept artist at Rockstar North. The GTA logo with its iconic type-face has been consistent since Grand Theft Auto III. What’s special about the cover design is that it focuses on what makes the Grand Theft Auto games great: the characters.
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