Earlier this morning, we were talking about how DOOM was going to give its fans a choice of alternative covers. Covers which look a trillion times better than the current generic box art that copies of the game will be shipped out in. And that’s a lost art, it really is. With PC games having long ago shed their mortal physical form to be more of a digital offering, box art covers have been in decline ever since.
Pick any shooter game these days, and chances are that the cover for said game will feature a lone soldier strolling away from the chaos behind him, with the colours of teal and orange dominating. Art like that, is massively boring. And it shouldn’t be that way at all. This generation has given birth to numerous artists, digital painters who can crank out all manner of beauty on a tablet and use various programs to create visuals that you could never have imagined.
And that’s an influence born from an earlier age of gaming. An age where PC box art was big, bulky and in yo face boyeee. This was an era where demons ruled, blood wasn’t something to avoid and every cover looked like it belonged in the Louvre. So much so, that you probably bought a game or two based on the cover art alone.
So tell us, which games sold you with love at first sight? Which game covers were gorgeous, stunning masterpieces that set your eyeballs ablaze? Do you even have some of them? Let us know below.
Last Updated: March 4, 2016
Pariah
March 4, 2016 at 10:31
Yes. Doom. Obviously.
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 4, 2016 at 10:32
Back when I still bought physical copies I judged a game by it’s cover. These days I judge a game by the quality of the streamers playing it on twitch 😛
Pariah
March 4, 2016 at 10:32
Although to date, Baldur’s Gate cover art always made me interested in the game, and when I got the BG2 collector’s edition I was so chuffed
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 4, 2016 at 10:34
What would you think if you saw a physical copy of “Shower with your dad simulator” in a store?
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:44
Progress
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 4, 2016 at 10:37
It’s not really something memorable for me, but I do notice it when it’s not particularly interesting. Makes me think how much do they really care if they couldn’t be bothered to put much effort into the packaging.
I do have this beauty though…
HvR
March 4, 2016 at 10:39
Not really since these days you get the down low on the game long before it is launched and in the early internet age games took so bloody long to get to SA you also knew if you wanted it or not long before seeing the box art.
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 4, 2016 at 10:41
If you bought a game long ago in a box that could fold open, you just knew it was going to be epic 😛
http://www.diabloii.net/gallery/data/515/art62lrg1.jpg
HouwGobz
March 4, 2016 at 10:44
Look at that beauty. I remember buying the D2 battle chest based on the artwork alone, had absolutely no idea what the game was but I knew I wanted to look at it some more.
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:14
man the awesome is awesome
HairyEwok
March 4, 2016 at 12:17
Blizzard still does that, did it with Diablo 3 for PC.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:43
http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/7939/1973911-starcraft.png
DragonSpirit009
March 4, 2016 at 10:43
Yes! All the time.
Some times I just buy a game for the cover. I love pretty things XD My bank account not so much!
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:43
http://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/303295-duke-nukem-3d-atomic-edition-xbox-360-front-cover.png
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:49
Where the titties?
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:50
Level 2
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:57
She’s fucked…
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 4, 2016 at 10:50
They only shake it after you pay a dollar.
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:43
NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even back in the early 90s when the box art was all we had to go on. I looked for the Nintendo Seal of Quality and the screen grabs at the back. But back then only gamers played videogames. Now its new age kiddie casuals. That is why the female is always removed from the cover, the old school suits seem to think games are for pre-odalesant males, hence the Bioshock Infinite cover.
This DOOM cover shows a Halo type shooter for both genders. Playing it safe.
konfab
March 4, 2016 at 10:44
ICO and Shadow of the Colossus:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6127775202_604d26db21_z.jpg
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:49
Japanese box art FTW
konfab
March 4, 2016 at 10:53
Japanese inspired by western artists :^)
http://www.abcgallery.com/C/chirico/chirico9a.JPG
Umar
March 4, 2016 at 10:44
Generally prefer Japanese box art over their western counterparts. Wish I owned a few of em
http://0519f170a2731643c0a9-ec45ee3cb118921cf5758d3a3db775b7.r83.cf1.rackcdn.com/2e190c7bdeacbb982d98dde64a46c40dfe9a4d8c.jpg__846x0_q80.jpg
http://0519f170a2731643c0a9-ec45ee3cb118921cf5758d3a3db775b7.r83.cf1.rackcdn.com/2d3a409cb0c9afe8567fd4c78be805dd4b6f74e0.jpg__846x0_q80.jpg
http://0519f170a2731643c0a9-ec45ee3cb118921cf5758d3a3db775b7.r83.cf1.rackcdn.com/0d1ccf060d8700520fa9ac85a2f3bf0b811f1758.jpg__846x0_q80.jpg
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/japanboxes/darksiders-jp.jpg
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:48
True, look at the Megaman 2 box art. The Japanese have always done it better than the west for some reason. Look at this shit.
Umar
March 4, 2016 at 10:52
That’s the western audience for you. A lot of the covers need to up front and direct. Whether it be something flashy or the main dudebro on the cover, they hardly ever indulge in the abstract covers, or covers that’s supposed to mean something. Look at the Dark Souls Japanese cover, it perfectly sums up what the game feels like much more than the western one.
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:55
Westerners are stupid.
Pariah
March 4, 2016 at 10:55
Your face is stupid
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:56
Never judge a book by its cover 😛
Pariah
March 4, 2016 at 11:04
… WP good sir, WP.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 11:34
LOOOL
Jonah Cash
March 4, 2016 at 10:51
That Darksiders one is awesome!!
Umar
March 4, 2016 at 10:53
Yeah, Japan gets some seriously mad box arts.
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:52
I prefer this one
Umar
March 4, 2016 at 10:55
This is a really good one!
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 4, 2016 at 11:57
Is it minecraft with rain effects!? 😛
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:44
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71c6zb-97gL._SL256_.jpg
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:46
The trailer sold that game. Everybody knew about the fus ro da trailer. SOLD
konfab
March 4, 2016 at 10:45
Republic Commando:
http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/nohud/images/d/d6/Republic_Commando_cover.jpg
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:45
Fist think that caught my eye, the Lucas Arts logo. SOLD
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:17
So true hahahahahahaha
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:46
So very much agreed!!!!
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:17
HHHHHGGGGGGGNNNNNNNNNN
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:45
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/7c/69/ce/7c69ceae3e9bb896d912cbe99e413ac3.jpg
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:45
https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/Eo1Eu6TXZmyEbVNTW0R03A–/aD02NTg7dz01MDA7c209MTthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg–/http://magazines.zenfs.com/resizer/FIT_TO_WIDTH-w500/7400fc7db43c08508f4a4c867cb3e08003b06591.jpg
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:46
KotOR 1 and KotOR 2
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:47
I like box art where the front opens to show some of the game features etc
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:48
http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/square_medium/28/284162/2761846-tfu_cover_art.jpg
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:49
http://img07.deviantart.net/4f88/i/2010/155/b/a/starwars_the_force_unleashed_2_by_kraytos.jpg
Pity the game was not as good
konfab
March 4, 2016 at 10:50
The first one was soooo much better.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:51
Second one had a little better gameplay, but the first had the superior story
Jan Prins
March 4, 2016 at 10:57
Personally? No. That is such an average looking hero on a very average looking cover design. Also it was a below average game.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:59
I was super excited, and I enjoyed it. My love for the genre (and throwing things around with the Force) outweighed the meh-ish nature of the game (combo mashing, console type game)
Jan Prins
March 4, 2016 at 11:01
What killed this game for me: First level they got you playing as Darth Vader. Then as the Apprentice. The most two dimensional character ever (and yes, I am including Pac-Man here as well.)
Jonah Cash
March 4, 2016 at 10:51
Bought this game base solely on the box art. Had no idea what it was when I bought it. Wasn’t that bad of a game as well.
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 10:51
http://cdn.wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/xcom2.jpg
Sageville
March 4, 2016 at 11:14
The hologram cover was amazing, I’ve kept it.
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:51
I want the old EA back
konfab
March 4, 2016 at 10:52
http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/images/g/n1EAAOSwFMZWr7PK/s-l225.jpg
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:54
again, bottom right corner. SOLD
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 4, 2016 at 10:54
I still have the original cartridge for this on my Nintendo 64. So much nostalgia xD
Pariah
March 4, 2016 at 10:55
I lost so many hours to this game. Loved it so damn much
konfab
March 4, 2016 at 11:01
Lost? That implies that they were wasted.
I consider all the hours I spent crashing on the zero-g maps as well spent 🙂
Pariah
March 4, 2016 at 11:02
This is valid. “I fucking loved the shit out of this game for so many hours”
Better? It’s accurate, so it’ll still work. 😀
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 11:33
xD
Sageville
March 4, 2016 at 11:14
One of my favorite games of yore…
Dane
March 4, 2016 at 10:53
No.
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:53
Insanity
Umar
March 4, 2016 at 10:58
Most misleading cover ever lol
Jan Prins
March 4, 2016 at 10:57
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/26/The_Curse_of_Monkey_Island_artwork.jpg
oVg
March 4, 2016 at 10:58
Looking at all these posts Ive come to realise that the first thing I look at are the company logos lol
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 4, 2016 at 10:59
http://img.gamefaqs.net/box/1/7/7/4177_front.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/22/Monster_Truck_Madness_2_Coverart.png
Umar
March 4, 2016 at 10:59
Man, I loved this game on PS1. Holy crap, dat wind up punch :O
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 4, 2016 at 11:02
I wonder if I can start a speed run category in this game xD
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 11:33
Do it!
Jac7
March 4, 2016 at 11:00
Still playing this
Ottokie vs the forces of Evil
March 4, 2016 at 11:01
http://gamefabrique.com/storage/screenshots/snes/timon-and-pumbaas-jungle-games-03.png
VampyreSquirrel
March 4, 2016 at 11:03
Not really.
Pariah
March 4, 2016 at 11:04
Way to commit.
VampyreSquirrel
March 4, 2016 at 11:07
Shot.
Pariah
March 4, 2016 at 11:09
Through the heart.
VampyreSquirrel
March 4, 2016 at 11:09
And Trev’s to blame.
Pariah
March 4, 2016 at 11:11
He gives MP a bad name.
Jan Prins
March 4, 2016 at 11:09
This cover… https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5b/Heavymetalfakk2box.jpg
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:14
Yes. Every single time. Boring covers make me lose interest in a game almost instantly
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 4, 2016 at 11:14
I remember when I came across the first Half Life. I didn’t know anything about it, but that flip-open cover with the headcrabs jumping at people just made it look like such a seriously cool game, so I bought it.
Needless to say, it was worth it.
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:16
I remember this cover made me all sorts of happy back in the day
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/11/Cncra2-win-cover.jpg
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 4, 2016 at 11:16
Since I buy nearly all my games digitally now it has changed a lot though, there aren’t really “covers” to judge them by anymore, you have so much info available from the get go.
That said, when I see an interesting looking picture of a “newly released” game pop up on Steam I will always click on it to investigate.
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:16
Who can forget the awesome that was this:
https://recollectionsofplay.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/morrowind-cover.jpg
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 4, 2016 at 11:17
You’re blowing my mind!
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:18
Check my anthology post 😉
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 4, 2016 at 11:19
I saw, I tried humour to hide my excitement 😀
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:19
I shall bar the doors of my place tonight shall I?
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 4, 2016 at 11:20
Yes, I would advise so.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 4, 2016 at 11:25
Clever, make him focus on the doors when you’re actually coming in through the roof. Oh… oops.
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 4, 2016 at 11:57
Shhhhh
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:31
got it
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:18
Currently this is my most prized gaming possession:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81yxenO47ZL._SL1500_.jpg
Captain JJ the "saviour"
March 4, 2016 at 11:19
I would say mostly because it excludes TESO 😛
Raptor Rants
March 4, 2016 at 11:19
hahahahahahahaha
Commander Admiral Chief
March 4, 2016 at 11:34
Oh you!
konfab
March 4, 2016 at 11:22
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/49/Dino_Crisis_2.jpg
Dresden
March 4, 2016 at 11:28
…
miaau
March 4, 2016 at 11:45
This one. Full of promise that delivered
Sageville
March 4, 2016 at 12:20
Awesome nostalgia…
miaau
March 4, 2016 at 12:52
yeah, ok, the WC3 hit me
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 4, 2016 at 14:30
I used to judge games by the hefty gaming manual they came with… 🙂 Those were the days. You even got some cool reading material for while you waited for the game to install.
I miss those days…
Guava_Eater
March 7, 2016 at 09:26
Yep definitely. We just don’t see stuff like this anymore: https://www.mobygames.com/game/four-crystals-of-trazere/cover-art/gameCoverId,149423/