Summary
TheSonicfranchise is packed with memorable iconography, and that’s a testament to the style and flashy design of the world and its characters. Nowhere can the beautiful designs and aesthetic of theSoniccharacter and universe stand out more though than on the game covers. While each cover depicts the Blue Blur striking a pose, this is largely where the similarities end. Each of them is experimental and unique in its own ways.
Sonichas always been known for its vibrancy, color, and fun, and more than a fewSoniccovers have managed to convey these core components to onlookers. But which one stands as the most creative and eye-catching of the bunch? It’s time to look back and analyze theSoniccovers that stand out most for their designs and memorability.
Simplistic, but effective, the cover ofSonic Unleasheddepicts the two sides of Sonic that players assume control of throughout the game. While the Werehog has become a well-known and admittedlydivisive figurein the years since the game’s release, seeing a seemingly ‘evil’ side of Sonic corrupting his body still makes for a striking visual.
For many people, this cover is also symbolic of a time when theSonicfranchise was breaking new ground, incorporating fun and fluid 3D fast-paced gameplay through its modernized Day stages. This cover conveys that sense of freedom and speed found in the core gameplay, while also providing an enticing glimpse into Sonic’s alter-ego.
In terms of gaming protagonist designs, Sonic has one of the most creative and stylish of all time. Cover art can feature only him, and still be a feast for the eyes. Every part of Sonic’s attire is blown up for this cover, with his giant red shoes and white gloves popping out of the screen as he wraps around in a circle, as if gearing up for a Spin Dash.
Sonic was seen as acool, slightly rebellious characterat this time in the franchise’s history. This resulted in some of the most iconic visual depictions of the character, with this cover being a prime example.
In all honesty, this cover is pretty absurd in more than a few ways. Whether it’s Shadow standing in front of an oncoming explosion, or the fact he’s also carrying around a rocket launcher, this is a very unusual cover. Yet, it still possesses plenty of unique elements to represent the edgy aesthetic the game was going for.
It’s a loud and unapologetically radical way to kick off one of the series’ most divisive games. Despite the differing opinions, though, many fans can still admire the risks the game was willing to take, and the many layers of development Shadow would receive throughout his adventure.
TheSonic Frontierscover does an incredible job at conveying theimmense speedand sense of scale that the game incorporates into its open areas. Grind rails are an easy way to pick up some speed in aSonicgame, so getting a close-up of Sonic cruising at full speed, with a large alien base floating in the background, results in a stunner of a cover.
While it took a while to perfect the design of Sonic in the 3D world, the recent games have nailed it.Frontiershits the perfect balance of still looking cool without coming across as goofy. All in all, while this is a more recent game cover, it’s already shaping up to be an all-time classic.
4Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut
This Vibrant Cover Leaned Into The Early 2000’s Aesthetic
In stark contrast to the games that came before it, the director’s cut ofSonic Adventure DXdecided to go full 2000’s with its cover. It embraces the wavyY2K aesthetic, which looks like a strange, intriguing hybrid between 2D and 3D. This is also the cover debut of Chaos, who adds an aura of mystery to the image, intriguing players to dive into the adventure to learn more.
It’s a retro cover that takes a more experimental angle compared to other entries in the series, but it was a risk that paid off considering how vibrant and unique it would end up being.
It’s hard to know where to look when gazing upon the cover ofSonic CD, which is a testament to how action-packed and eccentric it is. At the core of the cover is Sonic launching himself into a dark sky while a mysteriousnew robotic lookalikechases him from underneath, reaching out for the powerful Chaos Emerald.
The tone is a little darker and more unorthodox, which helps this cover stand out. It would also be one of the final covers featuring the classic Sonic design, which had been refined over time, reaching its peak with this illustration.
A classic cover which has become a key piece of iconography for the series,Sonic the Hedgehog 2demands the player’s attention from the get-go. While the introduction of Tails already adds a bit of intrigue,the giant Robotnikgrabbing him from the back is an eerie visual which makes this cover a marvel to look at.
This cover has everything, from the heroic qualities of Sonic and Tails, to the horrifying image of Robotnik, which might be his most evil-looking portrait to date in the series. This cover would become so iconic that it was even referenced in the promotional material for theSonic the Hedgehog 2movie as a love letter for longtime fans.
The design of theSoniccast has changed drastically over time. Back in the early 2000s, it was known for having a sharp, slick aesthetic which is on full display withSonic Adventure 2’siconic cover. Sonic’s exaggerated features allow him to pop out from the cover, especially with the color clash of his bright blue paired with the pitch black and fiery red of his newly introduced rival,Shadow the Hedgehog.
Shadow’s brooding expression and evil side-eye result in him looking like a truly dangerous villain who was more than mysterious enough to get players intrigued. Despite being a minimalistic cover, the lack of a background helps to highlight the incredible artistry that the series had become synonymous with at the time.
