Top 10 Nintendo Power Covers
Get the power, Nintendo Power! Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we countdown our picks for the Top 10 Nintendo Power Covers.
For this list, we're taking a look at the most memorable covers of this discontinued magazine, which gave gamers news and strategy tips before the Internet took over. Priority has been given to covers with unique artwork, as opposed to stock images provided by the game publishers.
Special Thanks to our user "MikeyP" for suggesting this topic with our Interactive Suggestion Tool at WatchMojo.comsuggest
#10: Scribblenauts Unlimited (Vol. 281)
“Scribblenauts Unlimited” is full of delightful imagery, reminiscent of the doodles you used to make in your school notebook. This cover overflows with whimsy and imagination, which is probably why the developers basically used the same picture for the game’s box art. The background envisions a wonderful world of infinite possibilities where monkeys build snowmen and prehistoric beats run wild. Whether you want to visit Ancient Egypt or Planet Saturn, nothing is out of grasp when you have a pencil or stylus. Looking at this cover, we’re tempted to go play the game right now. Of course every Nintendo Power issue has a similar effect.
#9: Maniac Mansion (Vol. 16)
Since CGI wasn’t really around yet, many early Nintendo Power issues utilized clay models to achieve a three-dimensional effect. This cover for the NES port of “Maniac Mansion” is one of the most stunning examples. With superb attention to detail, the artwork exemplifies the game’s spooky, yet silly, nature. Engulfed by tentacles and draped in atmospheric fog, the mansion itself has never looked better. Five key characters are also present. Speaking of which, are we the only ones that just realized Bernard looks exactly like the Angry Video Game Nerd? Poking fun at B movies while also embracing them, this cover is a graveyard smash.
#8: Game Boy Advance (Vol. 143)
Just when you thought the Game Boy Color was the pinnacle on handheld gaming, the Game Boy Advance hit the cover of Nintendo Power. For many fans, this was their first glimpse at the new console and it was literally out of this world. Seeing the GBA’s slick design and graphics, every gamer want to get their hands on this bad boy. The cover also offered footage of “Super Mario Advance,” which was basically a remake of “Super Mario Bros. 2,” which was basically a conversion of “Doki Doki Panic.” Regardless, the game still made the cover look even cooler!
#7: Mario Kart 64 (Vol. 93)
From the second subscribers saw “Mario Kart 64” advertised on the front of Nintendo Power, they knew the game would run circles around its SNES predecessor. Complete with glorious 3D graphics, the cover finds Mario taking the lead on Toad’s Turnpike. Luigi is a close second, although it appears that a banana peel will soon slip him up. Falling behind in the background is Wario, who can’t seem to get past those stupid trucks. Looking over this colorful cover, you can bet gamers everywhere were sent racing to their local game retailer. Hopefully nobody got hit with a blue shell on the way.
#6: Earthworm Jim (Vol. 67)
An assortment of words could be used to describe a character like Earthworm Jim: ludicrous, over-the-top, groovy. The word, “badass,” doesn’t immediately come to mind, however. Yet, Nintendo Power succeeded in making this wacky hero’s video game look friggin’ epic. Although Earthworm Jim has always been one of the more comedic gaming protagonists, that didn’t stop the artist here from portraying him in a classy, gallant light. At the same time, the artwork somehow manages to convey the game’s Saturday morning cartoon appeal as well. The result is a cover that encompasses the grand scale of “Star Wars” and the absurdity of “Spaceballs.”
#5: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Vol. 4)
Given the 8-bit era’s limitations, video games never looked especially realistic. However, you could always count on Nintendo Power to bring a pixelated world to life. This rousing cover looks like a shot from the live-action “Zelda” movie we’ve always wanted to see. Nintendo Power would do something similar with their issue promoting (xref) “A Link to the Past,” but this cover really makes us want to recue Zelda. Looking over the sleeping beauty’s unconscious body, we’re eager to step into Link’s boots and set off on a daring journey. Link should probably put on his green hat, though, because that 80s mullet is pretty dated.
#4: Mega Man X2 (Vol. 69)
This “Mega Man X2” cover appropriately captures the spirit of an anime with our robotic hero fully armored up for battle. The expertly drawn artwork shows X confronting the Maverick known as Wheel Gator. Their heated fight seemingly takes place in the Volcanic Zone, which is kind of weird since Wheel Gator is the Dinosaur Tank boss. Wouldn’t it have made more sense if Flame Stag were on the cover instead? Oh well, that’s not important. The point is that this is one of the most kickass pieces of work in the Nintendo Power library, featuring eye-popping colors, rich character designs, and a fiery background.
#3: Super Mario Bros. 2 (Vol. 1)
It’s the iconic cover that introduced Nintendo Power to the world! On the front of this debut issue, Mario finds himself being pursued by the dreaded King Wart. The clay replica seen here made Mario’s world look livelier than ever before, immediately hooking gamers in. Granted, we’re not sure why Mario’s hat is blue when everybody knows it’s supposed to be red. That nitpick aside, this cover beams with charm and likability, taking us all back to July 1988. The final issue of Nintendo Power would pay tribute to the cover that started it all, depicting a clay Mario taking one last jump.
#2: Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (Vol. 2)
Considering the company’s family friendly brand, it’s surprising that the second issue of Nintendo Power would be so incredibly graphic. Aside from showing Simon Belmont holding Dracula’s severed head, this cover is littered with other bloody body parts as well. The shadowy figure in the background only makes this image more haunting. Because of it’s rather controversial depiction of violence, numerous angry parents sent numerous complaints to Nintendo of America. Of course the kids mostly thought it was just plain awesome. With gothic atmosphere and a spine-chilling tone, the cover is something of a perfect nightmare. If only “Castlevania II” was actually this good.
Before we turn the page to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Vol. 50)
Super Mario 64 (Vol. 85)
Dr. Mario (Vol. 18)
Shadow the Hedgehog (Vol. 195)
#1: Metroid (Vol. 31)
You can’t judge a magazine by its cover. You can judge the cover itself, however, and this one stands out as Nintendo Power’s crowning achievement. The imagery portrays Samus Aran in all of her triumphant glory. With splendorous lighting, breathtaking colors, and an attentive level of detail packed into every corner, the intergalactic bounty hunter practically flies off the page. While the “Super Metroid” cover was also pretty legendary, this issue reached a whole new frontier of artistry. It went above and beyond to make an 8-bit video game look cinematic, demonstrating the true power of Nintendo Power.
Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Nintendo Power cover? For more powerful Top 10s powered everyday, be sure to power on over to WatchMojo.com. … power!