In this day and age determining what a game is about is as easy as hopping on the internet. It wasn’t always like that, though. I remember as a kid many of my game purchases were done blindly, purely based on what was available at the store, what I had heard from friends, and, interestingly enough, how the box looked. In regards to the latter, it wasn’t the best way to choose which games to play, but I did end up playing a lot of games I otherwise wouldn’t have.
You could say that the box art of a game is an important factor for inquisitive minds. A nice image on the box can get a customer to pick up and look at the game, while a great one can sway a purchasing decision.
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With so many games on the market, there’s a lot to choose from when looking at what cover art has stood out during the length of eight gaming generations. Some are emotionally grabbing, many try to project the premise of the game with the single image, while others simply aim to stand out from the crowd. Ultimately, everyone likes have a cool box art in their home library.
Below you’ll find 25 of our favorite video game box arts of all time.
25 of the Best and Coolest Video Game Box Arts of All-Time
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BioShock (2007)
Part of BioShock's brilliance was its atmosphere, and it's leaking out of its ears in this cover image. An iconic Big Daddy and Little Sister pose within the halls of Rapture, shortly before the game's wealth of Game of the Year nominations.
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Borderlands 2 (2012)
In the first Borderlands' box art the guy with a gas mask was only pointing one hand to the bottom of his head. On Borderlands 2's box art he's using two hands. It's as if Gearbox Software knew it would make a sequel. How clever.
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Civilization V (2010)
Civilization V was about as epic of a game as you'll ever see, and its cover art didn't let that reputation down. I mean, just look at it. There's an aircraft carrier, Egyptian pyramids, tank, flak cannon, Statue of Liberty, and spaceship all within one image. I'm willing to bet you won't see that anywhere else.
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Dark Souls (2011)
Dark Souls was a gruelingly difficult game, but you couldn't say that its developers didn't warn you. Why else would the knight on the cover be meditating in front of a bonfire? He needs it as much as you do.
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Doom (1993)
Back in 1993 Doom's cover was considered provocative with its portrayal of a space marine battling an army of demons in hell. It made for quite the discussion topic in my religious household. Come to think of it, I have no idea how I was allowed to play it at the age of eight.
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Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (2003)
I'm a sucker for Final Fantasy Tactics art, and the simplicity of FFT: Advance's cover makes it a winner in my book.
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Final Fantasy VII (1997)
I remember seeing the buster sword for my first time. Instead of asking an appropriate question like, "How is a guy with a female physique able to carry a 300 pound sword?", all I wanted to do was swing it at enemies. Soon I would infiltrate the Shinra Headquarters as depicted in the box art, and it would be glorious.
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Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (2013)
One of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn's greatest assets is its job system which allows you to play as any role on a single character. That's featured front and center on this beautiful piece.
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Gradius (1985)
There aren't many great looking box arts from the 80's, but Gradius represents the era with confidence. Its cover is so cool that back in the day once you saw it you just had to play it.
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Gravity Rush (2012)
This beautiful cover art is a visual representation of a warning for people with vertigo not to play the game.
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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)
Grand Theft Auto has always had great box arts, but San Andreas is routinely regarded as having the best. Its West Coast gang-based plot is featured heavily on the cover, with a drive-by, gambling, prostitute, and police helicopter all represented. Whatever you do, don't make fun of the gangster on the bike. He has a car, but he can't drive because he has a DUI.
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Halo 4 (2012)
Halo 4 was considered disappointing by fans for a few reasons, none of which was due to its box art. As a matter of fact, you could argue that it's the best cover art of the franchise, making the somewhat odd Master Chief look like a badass to the power of 10.
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Heavy Rain (2010)
Heavy Rain has a box art that makes absolutely no sense until you play the game. That's both cool and rude, depending on who is buying the game. To be clear, it is not a guide to origami.
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Ico (2001)
Ico was a soft-spoken, artistic game. Its cover art did an excellent job of representing that.
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Katamari Damacy (2004)
Katamari Damacy wins a spot on this list for depicting something outrageous in a cool way.I'm unsure why the cows don't seem to care that there's a massive ball of buildings, a jet, cruise ship, and a squid rolling around.
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Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Old Snake might not have been as vigorous as his younger self, but he sure looked cooler on the game box. This art by KojiPro is one of many fine examples of its stellar graphic design.
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Okami (2006)
There are many variations of Okami's box art, all of which are downright spectacular. I can't think of another game that can say the same.
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Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (2007)
Capcom's job is to sell as many copies of its games as possible. This nightmarish cover art for the Wii Edition of Resident Evil 4 didn't do it any favors.
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Secret of Mana (1993)
If you want to talk about epic classic RPGs, you better not forget about Secret of Mana. This was Square Soft at its best, and it showed on the cover which was one of the SNES' finest.
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Silent Hill 2 (2001)
I still can't get over how captivating Silent Hill 2's story was. Searching for James Sunderland's wife was an unforgettable affair. This cover art both reminds me of its brilliance and horror.
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Super Mario 64 (1996)
Mario looks particularly happy in this image, probably because he knew how good Super Mario 64 was. This game was responsible for a lot of kids not doing their homework. Thanks, Mario.
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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is undoubtedly the most mature of the franchise, and it shows on the cover art. A stressed out Link is shown both in his human and wolf form on the cover, hinting at the game's daring new direction.
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The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Not only was The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past a fantastic game, it had a great cover. It was simple, adorned with gold paint that made it stand out at retailers.
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Time Soldiers (1989)
At first glance I thought this was one of the worst cover arts of all time, and then I saw the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Never has my perspective been swayed in such little time.
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Twisted Metal: Black (2001)
Twisted Metal: Black was a psychotic game. Its portrayal of a clinically insane Sweet Tooth on the cover to the right of a Mature ESRB rating tried to emphasize that.
