Best Game Informer Magazine Covers of All Time

Highlights

Game Informer‘s sudden closure brings about a wave of nostalgia and mourning for the beloved gaming magazine on social media.
Efforts made to archive magazine content show dedication to preserving the video game medium’s heritage despite cover hype and unfulfilled announcements.
Each unique cover design, from handcrafted homages to minimalist themes, has left a lasting impact on the magazine’s readers throughout the years.

As a seasoned gamer with memories of playing on my Atari 2600, I have to say that I am truly amazed by the evolution of video game covers showcased through Game Informer magazine. From the cautious promotion of the Dreamcast in 1999 to declaring 2016 as ‘The Year of VR’, each cover tells a story about the gaming industry’s development, and I find myself reminiscing about the games I played during those times.

Following a 33-year run with 367 issues, GameStop has discontinued its cherished gaming magazine, Game Informer. The unexpected termination of subscriptions sparked grief among gamers, developers, and past contributors on social platforms.

Since both the physical version and digital library of the Game Informer magazine have ceased operation, dedicated fans have taken it upon themselves to preserve these issues as a means to protect valuable gaming content that might otherwise be lost. While some magazine covers may have exaggerated the quality of certain controversial titles, and not all software announcements ultimately materialized, each issue holds a significant piece of video game history.

20 Issue 320 (December 2019)

A Handcrafted Homage To Blizzard’s IPs

Best Game Informer Magazine Covers of All Time

In December 2019, Game Informer’s cover was designed to celebrate the unique reveal of fresh games and updates that came from BlizzCon’s annual showcase. The captivating artwork featured in the cover showcased various Blizzard properties like Diablo, Hearthstone, and Overwatch. Four additional collectible covers were also released, each focusing on these franchises individually.

19 Issue 117 (January 2003)

Moody, Washed-Out Tones Depict A New Xbox IP

In issue 117 of Game Informer, I was thrilled to find a captivating cover image that harkened back to the unveiling of Fable, once known as ‘Project Ego’. This magazine offered me exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into this title, and the eerie, mystical vibe of the cover art truly stood out compared to some other issues’ more straightforward designs.

18 Issue 200 (December 2009)

An Extremely Minimalist Design Celebrating 200 Issues

Back in December 2009, I was thrilled when Game Informer marked its 200th issue with a set of eight collectible covers. These covers showcased their top picks for the 200 greatest games ever made, each one featuring a striking minimalist design on a white background and a central sprite or model that grabs your attention instantly. It was like having a piece of gaming history right in my hands, reminding me just how much I love this medium.

17 Issue 344 (March 2022)

Fluid Motion and Intricate Details Promote A New Square Enix RPG

The March 2022 issue of Gamer Informer showcases Forspoken, Square Enix’s latest IP, on its cover, accompanied by a 14-page feature story. The cover art, skillfully created by Forspoken’s art director Yuuki Matsuzawa, presents an engaging and powerful preview of the game, visually speaking.

16 Issue 181 (May 2008)

Alternate Covers Promote Epic Games’ Returning Third-Person Franchise

Highlighting Game Informer’s unique insights into Gears of War 2, the sequel from Microsoft’s in-house studio, for its May 2008 issue, the cover design is a straightforward two-tone scheme. Featuring a monochrome palette with alternating grayscale and deep red-black covers, series hero Marcus Fenix is depicted as a silhouette against a backdrop tainted with bloodstains.

15 Issue 290 (June 2017)

A Dynamic Collage Showcases The Magazine’s JRPG Rankings

The June 2017 issue of Game Informer highlighted their ‘Top 100 Role-Playing Games of All Time’ list, with the cover featuring a miniature scene showcasing main characters from renowned role-playing games. Characters such as Geralt of Rivia, Pikachu, and Cloud Strife were part of this esteemed collection, joining other iconic figures in the realm of role-playing games.

14 Issue 104 (December 2001)

A Comic-Book Style Provides An Alternative Look For Metal Gear Solid 2

To set up readers for a six-page feature about Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty in their December 2001 issue, Game Informer opted for a comic book-style illustration featuring Solid Snake instead. Since there was apparently an embargo preventing any discussion of the game’s main character Raiden, the cover design differed slightly from its typical layout.

13 Issue 212 (December 2010)

Ten Years Of Protagonists Depicted In A Handcrafted Mural

In the start of a fresh decade, Game Informer chose artist Sam Spratt to paint a mural featuring their top 30 characters who significantly shaped the 2000s. Characters like Master Chief, Glados, and John Marston were included in this series. The designs are so intricate that if placed together, they form an engaging and interactive scene, similar to a dynamic diorama.

12 Issue 20 (December 1994)

DOOM’s Chaotic Cover Lends Itself To Game Informer

Back in December 1994, I proudly displayed Game Informer’s cover on my stand as a testament to the timeless creativity and adaptability of Don Ivan Punchatz’s iconic DOOM artwork. Even though this particular piece was promoting the game’s Sega 32X port, it still carried the same powerful impact that it had when first unveiled.

11 Issue 321 (January 2020)

A PlayStation Anniversary Promoted Through Minimalist Design

To mark PlayStation’s 25th anniversary, Game Informer adorned their cover with simplistic, partially black-and-white portrayals of some of its top first-party characters. From Crash Bandicoot and LittleBigPlanet’s Sackboy to Kratos and Ratchet, a variety of intellectual properties from the last 25 years are showcased in their January 2020 issue.

10 Issue 155 (March 2006)

Bioshock’s Dire And Damp Aesthetic Are Promoted With Shades Of Blue

Sharing an exclusive sneak peek at Bioshock from Game Informer’s March 2006 edition, the magazine presents captivating artwork that highlights the game’s Big Daddy characters. The artwork also carries a somber atmosphere with its dark tones, while the cover story offers a glimpse into the underwater city of Rapture through a single striking image.

9 Issue 33 (January 1996)

A Close-Up Of 3D Mario Is All Gamers Needed in 1996

The January 1996 issue of Game Informer showcased the significant change from two-dimensional to three-dimensional games within the video game industry. A basic 3D model of Mario, with a Nintendo Ultra 64 in his gaze, was all that was needed for an innovative cover design.

8 Issue 168 (April 2007)

Naughty Dog’s Uncharted Series Debuted With A Handpainted Cover

Highlighting an extensive 10-page exploration of Naughty Dog’s “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” in our latest issue, the captivating cover art features a sketch of the main character, Nathan Drake, in a precarious predicament. Although it showcases early footage where Elena Fisher, the companion and love interest, appears differently than in the final version sold in stores, this sneak peek effectively grabs the attention of our readers and makes it our cover story.

7 Issue 253 (May 2014)

Before It Established A Genre, Fornite Was Promoted In Colorful Chaos

Initially, Epic Games’ third-person shooter was just a basic building-centric horde game, but it later evolved into the blueprint for Battle Royale video games. To promote their cover story on Fortnite, the magazine used an eye-catching and captivating artwork for its May 2014 issue cover.

6 Issue 311 (March 2019)

An Art-Deco Illustration Details The Outer World’s Aesthetic

The March 2019 cover of Game Informer showcases their extensive exploration of Obsidian’s role-playing game, The Outer Worlds. They delve into aspects such as combat, role-playing elements, and the game’s setting. The cover art employs a style reminiscent of art deco, which is reflected in the magazine’s pastel orange color scheme.

5 Issue 148 (August 2005)

A Watercolor Ape And Transparent Logo Promote A Movie Tie-In

The August 2005 issue of Game Informer is adorned to highlight its unique content, featuring an exclusive look at the collaboration between Peter Jackson and Ubisoft Montpelier on a video game based on King Kong. Their interviews are presented in a style reminiscent of watercolor art, with images of the towering Kong prominently displayed. Additionally, this issue marks the first time Game Informer used a translucent logo.

4 Issue 312 (April 2019)

The Abstract Design of Control Pairs With Game Informer’s Minimalist Ethos

The April 2019 issue of Game Informer showcases a striking partnership between Control, a Remedy title, and the popular gaming magazine. The cover artfully blends Control’s geometric, abstract style with Game Informer’s classic minimalist design, creating an impactful visual that effectively uses the game’s prominent red and black colors. Consequently, the cover image is a captivating example of creative ingenuity.

3 Issue 334 (March 2021)

Deathloop’s In-Universe Design Envelops The Magazine’s Aesthetic

The March 2021 issue of Game Informer isn’t the first to receive a cover makeover due to a partnership with a specific game launch. But, this time, in honor of our cover story on Arkane Lyon’s exclusive FPS title, Deathloop, Issue 334 has undergone a total transformation, emulating the game’s aesthetic and featuring playable characters Julianna and Colt.

2 Issue 78 (October 1999)

Cautiously Promoting the Ill-Fated Dreamcast

For Game Informer’s October 1999 cover art, they opted for an unusual presentation, depicting the Sega Dreamcast in a live-action setting amidst dynamite. While expressing a measured sense of hope, the magazine discusses how the Dreamcast might represent Sega’s most significant triumph or serve as a poignant farewell for the creators of Sonic.

1 Issue 273 (January 2016)

2016 Is The ‘Year Of VR’

In January 2016, Game Informer magazine labeled that year as the ‘Year of Virtual Reality’. Delving into VR development with Oculus, Valve, and PlayStation, the magazine’s distinctive, yet powerful cover design stands out. As the main article delves into the platforms, games, potential, and difficulties associated with this emerging technology, its futuristic, slightly rebellious vibe distinguishes it from numerous other covers.

2024-08-11 17:34