You should never judge a book by its cover. The same principle goes for video games, as cover art is only a simple way of conveying what the game is to the players. However, a good cover is always appreciated, especially when it represents the vibe and style of the game within.
Game covers are a whole other art form in and of themselves, working with a very limited area and trying to fit as much of the game into it. Platformers are no different, having to advertise what the aesthetic and gameplay will be like to the player. Some platformers have cover art so iconic that the games are synonymous with them. Here are the platformer games with the best cover art.
10 Super Mario Bros.
Mario is the granddad of all platformers. This single game grew so big that even Mario golf game covers deserve a list of their own. The franchise has had great cover art throughout the years, including Mario Galaxy, Mario Odyssey, and Mario 3.
However, few games can claim to have cover art as iconic as the original Super Mario Bros. This NES game cover is incredibly recognizable, even by non-gamers all around the world. It is simple for sure, with Mario seen jumping in front of some bricks with the fire flower powerup. However, despite its simplicity, this box has changed gaming forever.
9 OlliOlli World
OlliOlli World, while not as influential as Super Mario Bros, is a great platformer in its own right. The game itself is great fun, with an Adventure Time-esque visual style and a very responsive and satisfying gameplay loop.
The cover art is intricate and may feel a bit crowded for some. However, the colors pop beautifully, and the look at the city from above includes tons of details. The blue track pops out of the box, immediately catching your attention. This is one of those covers that makes you want to buy a physical copy.
8 Castlevania
Castlevania is yet another classic with iconic cover art and rich history. This one, however, is anything but simplistic. We see Simon Belmont wielding his signature whip, looking at an imposing night sky with Dracula's evil grin above his castle.
This game is from a time when the pixels were limited, and the imagination of the player had to carry a lot of the game. Thus, having detailed cover art such as this gave players a feel of what the game world looks like. This is yet another timeless cover that's worthy of being framed and hung up on a wall.
7 Little Big Planet
Little Big Planet is a wacky, hilarious, and magical game that became immensely popular once it was released for the PS3 back in 2008. The game was great for couch co-op and provided players with enough content to capture the hearts of many.
While each entry in the series had cover art that features the iconic Sack Boy, Little Big Planet 3 takes the cake. We see Sack Boy and his friends on a felt world shooting some sort of energy gun and having a blast. The mood here is very accurate, perfectly capturing how you'll be feeling throughout your playthrough.
6 It Takes Two
Speaking of co-op games, It Takes Two is a surprise hit that had many players and their partners cry their eyes out with how emotional the story is. You play as Cody and May, a couple on the brink of divorce but got turned into small dolls. The game is extremely fun to play and is full of amazing details.
The cover art depicts the two main characters hanging from a dandelion that's flying away. The lighting, colors, and scenery are gorgeous, just like they are in-game.
5 Celeste
Celeste is, quite possibly, the most popular modern 2D platformer. Despite coming out in 2018, Celeste has been the topic of many discussions about what the best platformer of all time is. It has won many awards and for good reason.
We see Madeline reaching up, with several other characters behind her. The line work feels like it was stripped right out of a comic book, and the vibrant colors bring the characters to life perfectly.
4 Ori Series
Ori and the Blind Forest, as well as its sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, are both games that have incredible visuals. The scenery, lighting, character design, and animation in these games are among the best by far.
The cover art of both games manages to capture that incredible visual flair and lighting as well. They are distinct, yet both have that signature spiritual awe of the franchise, with gorgeous scenery and moody lighting.
3 Speedrunners
Speedrunners is an interesting platformer, in that it's a competitive racing game. It doesn't have the historic significance of Super Mario Bros. or the amazing visuals of Ori, but it is an infinitely fun time sink with the right group.
The characters and the gameplay are both deliciously wacky, random, and distinct. Which is all captured beautifully in the game's cover art as well. Sometimes, simply being fun to look at is good enough to be a great cover.
2 Limbo
Speaking of simplicity, Limbo has one of the least complicated cover art of all time. You could realistically sketch a copy of this yourself in a few minutes. However, despite the simplicity and the negative space, this one just works.
Limbo is not that complicated a game itself. You control a little boy in search of his sister and make your way through a spooky forest. All in black and white. The cover is just spooky enough with the moody lighting and the creepy giant spider silhouette. It absolutely stands out on a shelf full of colorful game boxes too, which is a huge plus.
1 Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
Crash Bandicoot is the definition of 90s rad. This anthropomorphic bandicoot acted as Sony's response to Mario and Sonic for years. The N. Sane Trilogy was a great way of revisiting the character's past, as it compiled remasters of the first three games of the series.
With a character so iconic, the cover puts him front and center, with a grin that feels absolutely true to his character. We also see glimpses of stages and characters that hit your nostalgia directly. This is simply how you do an awesome remaster cover.