Best Reversible Cover Art In Games

Key Takeaways

Reversible cover art often goes unnoticed by many fans, except the most dedicated.
RPG titles, like Cyberpunk 2077, implement player-customizable gender options on cover art.
Alternate cover art designs, such as Bioshock: Infinite, can please fans more than the original.

As a longtime enthusiast of video games and their captivating cover arts, I find myself continually intrigued by the creative processes that bring these visual masterpieces to life. Each game cover tells a unique story, transporting us to different worlds or enticing us with enigmatic imagery that hints at the adventure within.

Despite the fact that numerous top-selling video games feature reversible cover art, it’s typically only the most attentive fans or artists who will spot and truly value these details beyond a casual acknowledgment.

Instead of drawing solely from prior inspirations, unique and thought-provoking concept art is frequently utilized to enhance the appeal of a game among its enthusiasts. This artwork, concealed within manuals, CDs, and pamphlets, is often praised for its creativity and connection to the title itself.

8 Cyberpunk 2077

A Minimalist Interpretation Of The Variety Afforded In RPG Titles

In the array of personalized features available to players when they start playing role-playing games like CD Projekt Red’s 2020 title, Cyberpunk 2077, one significant aspect is the choice of character gender. Due to the player-driven narratives and customization found in RPG titles, many developers have adopted dual-sex representation on their game covers. While V, the protagonist in Cyberpunk 2077, can be portrayed as either male or female, CD Projekt Red is not the pioneer in offering such a choice. This option can be altered both in promotional artwork and within the game itself.

Moving from Bioware’s Mass Effect 3, where players could choose a female Commander Shephard on the opposite cover, to Ubisoft’s more recent Assassin’s Creed games offering similar customization options. Although it is not a revolutionary change and the choice of playing as either a female or male protagonist usually doesn’t affect gameplay, the fact that both versions are represented on the game box art adds a significant touch of inclusivity by giving players more freedom in character selection.

7 Metroid: Samus Returns

Samus Aran’s Reinterpreted Combat Armor Is Shown Beside Its Inspiration

Although Metroid: Samus Returns is essentially a 2017 remake of the original Game Boy game from 1991, Metroid 2: Return of Samus, its comprehensive development for Nintendo’s eighth-generation handheld system implies that Samus Returns is more of a reboot for the series rather than just an enhanced remaster.

As a gamer, if I were to flip open the case of Metroid: Samus Returns, I’d instantly spot the nods to its legacy roots. Despite MercurySteam and Nintendo EPD giving Samus the same pose as the original Game Boy game, her iconic bulky orange power armor from 1991 gleams back at me when I flip the cover over.

6 The Evil Within

A Monochromatic Vision Of This Horror Title In Line With Its Creator’s Roots

Prior to Microsoft’s acquisition and subsequent liquidation of the studio in 2021 and 2024 respectively, Tango Gameworks’ 2014 survival horror game “The Evil Within,” directed by the creator of Resident Evil, Shinji Mikami, was their first and arguably most famous intellectual property. This title, which saw a sequel in 2017, was both critically and commercially successful.

On one side, the game’s cover art captivates players with a chilling and alluring image. However, if you flip it over, you’ll find another piece of art that is more artistically focused. This design seems to draw influence from minimalist styles seen in games like the PAL and Japanese versions of Resident Evil 4. The contrast between buildings and shadowy figures is both gripping and thought-provoking, reflecting the game’s heritage while also hinting at its future direction.

5 Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

A Tongue-In-Cheek April Fool’s Joke Taken To Its Logical Extreme

When a game’s title gets a secondary, interchangeable cover design, it’s often done to highlight a notable concept artwork, illustrate multiple main characters, or honor the heritage of previous titles. For instance, the amusing, crayon-style art for the game “Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One” in 2011 was initially created as an April Fool’s Day post on PlayStation.Blog, but later found a place on store shelves, showcasing its unique origin.

The design of the reversible cover art for the spin-off game “All 4 One” aligns with the humorous tone and the self-centered imaginings of the character Captain Qwark, a recurring element in the Ratchet & Clank series, while maintaining its emphasis on cooperative multiplayer.

4 Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes

An Illustrated Reminder Of The Metal Gear Series’ Legacy Titles

In an unusual spot within the wide-reaching Metal Gear Solid series by Hideo Kojima due to its prologue status, Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes is unquestionably a true Metal Gear game in essence.

Although the main cover of the game “Ground Zeroes” follows the traditional pattern seen in action titles with the protagonist on the front, its reverse side displays the iconic artwork of Yoji Shinkawa. This unique cover art is featured on Japanese, North American, and South American versions of the game, giving “Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes” a cover style reminiscent of the series’ earlier titles.

3 Bioshock: Infinite

A Fan-Picked Alternative To A Widely-Lambasted Initial Cover

Infinite was released in 2013, several critics argued that the depiction of the game’s main character on the cover didn’t live up to the series’ history of captivating cover art.

Defying criticism of “the most disappointing box art of the decade”, the dual-sided design of Infinite‘s cover, featuring the captivating combination of red and black, was favored by fans in an online vote. This striking illustration showcases Bioshock: Infinite‘s character The Songbird soaring amidst Columbia’s cloud-kissed skyline and architectural wonders. Initially praised by critics at its release, the alternative cover has since remained a favorite among fans, standing the test of time.

2 Sonic Mania Plus

A Continuation Of Sonic Mania‘s 16-Bit Inspiration Onto The Game’s Artwork

Although Sonic Mania was released in 2017 to widespread commercial and critical acclaim, this return to 2D pixel art style was only available through digital storefronts for a full year. However, with the physical release of the enhanced Sonic Mania Plus, fans of Sonic could now add the anniversary platformer to their collections and display both its main cover and alternate versions on their shelves.

Despite being absent from the physical reissue of “Sonic Mania,” and exclusive to the physical edition of “Plus,” the 16-bit origins of “Sonic Mania’s” gameplay and design are prominently showcased. This is demonstrated by a recreation of Sega Mega Drive / Genesis cover art, as “Sonic Mania Plus” not only honors the roots of the “Sonic” series but also heightens its visual appeal through such vintage artwork.

1 DOOM (2016)

A Legacy-Inspired Alternative That Became Front-Facing Over Time

While many casual video game enthusiasts might display poster versions of game covers on their walls, it’s not common to find famous artists contributing to this process. However, in 1993, science fiction artist Don Ivan Punchatz, known for his work on numerous metal album and sci-fi cover art, was brought on board by id Software to create the cover art for their newly released first-person shooter game, DOOM.

In the future, as the 2016 revival of the DOOM series is being crafted, Alex Palma draws inspiration from Punchatz’s initial artwork. This significant return of the genre-defining series to mainstream gaming is highlighted by Palma’s artwork, which becomes prominent when players select the game on Nintendo Switch in 2017. The unique aspect for many is that DOOM (2016) features reversible cover art, but those who choose the game on Switch encounter Palma’s artwork as the primary focus.

2024-11-07 02:35