Throughout the history of gaming the box art of a title has been an important part of its overall package. As a developer you need great looking box art because the casual gamer who walks into a shop that doesn’t know how a game has been scored will easily make a decision based on how great the box cover looks.
So here are my top 5 game covers that would make me want to buy a game based on looks alone.
5. Mortal Kombat
This cover has a really simple design and gives nothing away about the game but it really doesn’t have to, the art has a perfect colour scheme with its blood red background and cool kick-arse black dragon, it makes you want to pick the game up and find out more.
4. Doom
This cover just screams action and if you buy it you’re going on the ride of your life, and that’s exactly what an action game cover should get across to you. Couple that with the iconic Doom logo that largely hasn’t changed over the years. But this very first Doom cover makes you drool with excitement about how many aliens you’re going to be taking down.
3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
There have been many Zelda covers over the years but I believe this is the best of them all, the gold background with the big logo really gets across how epic the game actually is and makes it look like something special.
2. Grim Fandango
This is an amazing cover, it looks like an old 1940′s or 50′s movie poster, even having a quote from a games magazine In the corner just like a movie review. The cover also shows all of the characters involved, clearly showing what their relationship with Grim Fandango will be whether it be friend, foe or love interest. Also Fandango looks like a cool dude in that suit.
1. GTA IV
The entire GTA series from version three all the way to five has unmistakeable and instantly recognisable box art. Seeing a cover with that classic window design theme featuring various vagrants from the game give you little doubt what title you’re looking at.
I think you’ll agree that all this box art is totally kick-arse, and while there are so many more great pieces out their that didn’t make the list I’ll save them for another time.
