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Before the days of the internet providing you with a constant info-stream on any video game you could imagine, choosing your next purchase could be as simple as picking the game that looked the best on the shelf at the store. Of course, the very first thing you’d see would be the box art, making it crucial that it conveyed excitement and stood out from the pack. Many games failed to do this effectively, but there were also a whole bunch that did–and we still think about them years later.
The best video game box art doesn’t have to be flashy. It can be, but it’s oftentimes a simple design that can draw players in. Look at Super Mario Bros. 3, the Pokemon games, or Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for great examples of this. When flashy is in order, Rockstar Games remains one of the absolute best, especially with its multi-panel Grand Theft Auto covers. And when it comes to games where you’re punching someone in the face, a certain lesser-known Capcom gem has you “covered.” Sorry.
These are our picks for the best video game box art ever, dating back all the way to the NES era. Let us know in the comment what your favorite video game box art of all time is!