For many, the experience of personal computing extends far beyond modern Windows machines. Throughout history, a multitude of developers have produced home computers, a legacy reflected in the diverse range of systems available. Looking back, a nostalgic dive into the artwork adorning those classic game boxes reveals a vibrant and memorable era of PC gaming.
10. SimCity 2000
The SimCity franchise, centered around building the city of your dreams, has seen numerous iterations, all of which are highly regarded. However, the cover art for SimCity 2000 stands out for its playful representation of the series’ core concept. The game blends serious city-building simulation with a touch of whimsy, exemplified by the inclusion of a UFO hovering over a quaint town. This design choice perfectly encapsulates the game’s spirit.
9. Simon the Sorcerer
Even as I never personally played this title, the box art for Simon the Sorcerer immediately caught my eye and sparked a desire to attempt it. It evoked the same feeling I had when imagining games like Zork. In the 1990s, the cover art was a crucial factor when purchasing physical games; finding the most visually appealing box often led to discovering the best titles. Unfortunately, this method relied solely on aesthetic quality rather than the game itself. Alternatives included accessing the game via modem or seeking opinions from those who had already played it, but the cover’s striking design was undeniably influential.
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8. Diablo II
Diablo isn’t just an excellent action role-playing game series; it’s a foundational title for the entire genre. Diablo II was a superb sequel, and its large physical box cover was equally impressive. I appreciate its dark and sinister aesthetic. It ranks eighth on my personal list, and while I enjoy other covers in the series, this one particularly stands out.
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7. Flight Simulator 98
I have always enjoyed the Flight Simulator series, and their covers were consistently fitting. However, I believe the 1997 edition’s artwork is the best in the series. I appreciate the low position of the sun, the runway, and the aircraft positioned at the center of the image. Interestingly, we haven’t seen a similar depiction in the title art of the series’ more recent installments. The series has always appealed to me, and I feel the cover accurately reflects its essence.
6. Monkey Island 2
Monkey Island is a classic series with a large and dedicated fanbase. Personally, I uncover the cover art for the second installment the most appealing, as it exudes a sense of pirate life, with the antagonist taking center stage and a slightly darker color palette. It has a hint of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back to it. It genuinely makes you want to pick up the game and give it a try, whereas I’d be more inclined to play some of the earlier titles on this list, it’s a well-executed cover for an excellent adventure game.
5. Magic: The Gathering
The first game in the Magic: The Gathering series can be described by its box art. It looks like an illustrated book cover that will take you on a journey. Many game covers were better and more captivating in the past than they are today, but this is too because digital games don’t need cover images. In the past, if you didn’t have an appealing cover on the game shelf in the store, there was less chance someone would try your product. Magic: The Gathering demonstrates the importance of an exciting cover.
4. Rome: Total War
The cover alone gives you a sense of what the product is about. In Rome: Total War, Creative Assembly moved into the 3D realm and presented the ancient world in a way that was unparalleled in the early 2000s. Nothing could compare to the massive battles, beautifully rendered troop formations, and cities in this genre. I like the contrast between the red and orange colors, and the photo perfectly captures the legionary soldiers and siege towers you’ll spend a lot of time managing in the game.
3. Command & Conquer
The Command & Conquer series consistently featured excellent game covers, often playing with layered imagery. You could often judge the game by the reflections in the glasses of the characters or what you saw as a general. The basic idea was that you could control the battlefield as a general from your computer, and I think The Tiberian Sun best captures that in the series. While I enjoy other covers in the series, this one stands out in particular. The game’s design is incredibly striking.
2. Age of Empires
There are more visually striking artworks out there, but Age of Empires, for me, represents the joy of gaming because I’ve always been fascinated by humanity and its history. The first game’s setting, spanning from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, is clearly conveyed in the image. Seeing heavily armored infantry, Roman legionaries, or Egyptian chariots piqued my interest. The cover highlights the various facets of the gameplay, and for that reason, I believe it’s better than the second, third, and fourth installments. Even today, it remains fully playable, boasting a lengthy campaign and engaging level design.
1. Civilization
I spent a long time considering which installment in the series to choose here. Almost all of the boxes have beautiful covers, with the second having the little green figurines and the third featuring Bruegel the Elder’s famous painting of the Tower of Babel being good examples. I finally decided the first one should be the focus. Most readers probably haven’t played the first two in the series, but I think the cover, even as a prototype for future works, is excellent. With its simple font and a two-dimensional city set against historical ruins, I think it perfectly captures its essence. I really love the artwork and what it represents, especially as it’s the starting point for everything, even if the first game isn’t as playable today. I think the illustration is a perfect example of image and artwork coming together.
What are your favorite PC game covers? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
