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The SNES holds a certain allure that has only gotten stronger with age. Kids and teens of the '90s look upon this proclaimed "Golden Age" of gaming with fond memories. Meanwhile, younger gamers have kept its legacy alive, thanks to its many appealing titles and charming pixel art. It certainly helps that the 16-bit era has seen something of a renaissance, through retro-style indies and releases like the SNES Classic.
Bolstering SNES' timeless charm is the equally gripping, imaginative cover art that many games have. A number of classic titles are decorated with similarly great box art, bringing added value for collectors who favor showing off their displays. But there are also some obscure, underwhelming SNES games that ironically boast some of the most compelling, creative cover art — perhaps even overshadowing the content in the carts themselves.
10 Wild Guns
Wild Guns hits the mark as a thrilling scrolling shooter; one that was tempered by showing rather late to the SNES party. Laced with a fusion of steampunk, sci-fi, and Wild West motifs, Natsume's shooting gallery romp from '95 is the ultimate blend of testosterone-driven themes.
This is superbly portrayed by the box art, which goes out of its way to illustrate the awesome, campy motifs and action-packed vibe. The image shows a western shootout on the one end, though things are kicked into high gear with a large mechanized monster blasting the outgunned cowpoke.
9 Demon's Crest
Take a Castlevania-esque scroller, turn the heat up on the diabolic motif, and Capcom's obscure Demon's Crest will be the result. The experience involves fairly straightforward A-to-B navigation, but sprinkles in light RPG gameplay and a slew of sinister foes to slay.
Designed by artist Julie Bell, this cover makes no bones about the game's darkly-tinged themes; putting the creepy star demon front and center. From the intricate font to the beast himself, there's much fiery detail to be had with this demonic design. It lives up to, and perhaps even surpasses, the lavish in-game graphics.
8 Michael Jordan: Chaos In The Windy City
Not even one of the NBA's greatest of all time could save this obscure gaming relic on the SNES. While one would expect a sporting romp with this one, EA instead gives gamers a bizarre, clunky side-scroller starring Michael Jordan, as he looks to rescue kidnaped players for an All-Star charity game. Yes, seriously.
The cover properly reflects the game's off-the-wall, charmingly campy nature. Unlike much of the gameplay, the artwork is a slam dunk, highlighting a pumped-up MJ wielding basketballs laced with fire and ice. And somehow, even that curved, bold text manages to be over the top.
7 Mystic Ark
Back in the ancient times of gaming, predating the Square-Enix merger, the Japanese studio crafted many RPGs that were memorable in their own right. But while this rather obscure effort has its own cult following, it didn't resonate with as wide an audience, as, say Dragon Quest. It hasn't aged too well with its awkward pseudo-3D battles, slow pacing, and cryptic elements throughout.
Mystic Ark's distinct cover art reflects this game's retro feel. Its rich high fantasy visual presents a vibe of 8-bit and personal computer RPGs of yesteryear, or perhaps even an old classic fantasy book. But it avoids feeling too antiquated by showing the leg of the game's hero stepping beyond the graphic. This certainly goes "outside the box" as it were, but it's also a subtly effective way to convey the game's sense of adventure; of stepping into the great unknown.
6 E.V.O.: Search For Eden
The vast story of human evolution would seemingly be a great concept for an RPG, and yet few developers have run with it. Almanic and Enix do capitalize on this, however, with 1992's E.V.O.: The Search for Eden. Players dive into a tale as old as time, starting out as a small and meek organism and — quite literally — fighting their way up the food chain. While this inventive idea succeeds in many avenues, the basic brawling and side-scrolling navigation can grow a tad dull for some.
There is, however, nothing bland or shallow about the cover art, which encapsulates the epic premise of the game. The art showcases a slew of ancient creatures intertwined with the bold title text. This is rounded out with a sleek backdrop that borders on the surreal.
5 The Simpson's Bart's Nightmare
As is the case with many film and TV series, the animated hit, The Simpsons, has seen a few lukewarm efforts on the gaming front. 1993's Bart's Nightmare continued this trend, at least when it came to spotty mechanics and punishingly tough gameplay.
But on a thematic level, this trippy journey into the head of Bart Simpson brings amusement through its zany, imaginative themes. The vibrant, vertigo-invoking cover does well in summing up the wild, unpredictable vibe of this Simpsons ride.
4 The Legend Of The Mystical Ninja
Artist Tom Dubois goes above and beyond in conveying the unique style, intense action, and distinctly Japanese flavor of this SNES game, which remains a Western obscurity. The cover features colorful, dynamic character illustrations and lush backgrounds. It highlights a rather intense-looking Goemon riding a ravenous tiger. Who wouldn't want to give this one a look after beholding such imagery?
While its odd, comical tone may throw off some gamers, Legend of the Mystical Ninja entices with its tight, fast-paced gameplay, charming pixel art, and a range of Judo moves to fight with.
3 Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts
While getting a small resurgence for its SNES Classic release, this Capcom title largely remains overlooked and forgotten by many. Being an early SNES release, this ghoulish action-scroller injects some of that NES-feel, with its stiff controls and grueling gameplay throughout.
The box art nicely displays the game's fun, imaginative motifs that meld dark fantasy with action and horror. Like the gameplay itself, the cover art feels like a carryover from the late-'80s, with ample color, hand-drawn detail, and exaggerated visuals.
2 Paladin's Quest
Like the majestic RPG it represents, this cover art is atmospheric and larger than life, feeling akin to an epic sci-fi fantasy book. The presentation and world-building are similarly vibrant, enhanced by a lush musical score from composer Kohei Tanaka.
The gameplay of Paladin's Quest itself is a bit less compelling for most, with dated visuals and gameplay that shifts from archaic and simple to convoluted. The already clunky experience is further bogged down by the unpopular magic system, which shares resources with hit points. There are some innovative concepts though, balanced by familiar, appealing mechanics comparable to Dragon Quest.
1 Secret Of Evermore
Not unjustifiably, this obscure ARPG draws comparisons to the similar Mana series; which itself began as a lesser Final Fantasy spinoff. Still, this Square sleeper is compelling in its own right, as players and their shape-shifting dog battle through fun fantasy settings. Rewarding combat and imaginative locales from different times in history give this overlooked game staying power.
Even if Secret of Evermore has been overlooked and forgotten by many, it's hard to forget this emphatic cover. Centered around a huge, ominous beast with razor-sharp claws, the artwork invokes both wonder and uneasiness.