The Gamer's Quarter

seryogin · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 8:27 am Post subject: Konami SNES box art discussion

I see a stylistic pattern here. Does anyone know exactly who this artist is? Really, that’s some impressive box art, probably the best I’ve seen years.

We don't produce box art with as much energy anymore. This is really the Rembrandt of box art, whoever this guy (or girl, gotta be gender conscious) may be.

Post pictures of any other Konami SNES box-art that you like. I know the same artist also did the box for Sunset Riders though I can't find a suitable image of it online.
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friedchicken · . Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 496 Location: Port Land, OR

I clicked on this topic thinking that you'd have the Gradius III box art-- shock! You didn't! It's right up there with these three though.

I'm not sure how easy it would be to find out artist info. I'm betting that a lot of the American box art was farmed out to no-names who got minimal pay and no credit. You're right that it's excellent-- much better than the heinous American Capcom box art of the same era.

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

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seryogin · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 9:02 am Post subject:

You mean this?

The only reason I didn't include it was because it doesn't have the same stylistic traits. I'm really just trying to figure who did those particular boxes, as I'm certain it's the same person.

I've always liked the box art on Darius Twin, myself.

Edit: Thanks, Shapes! Now I want to buy an SNES more than ever.
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Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

seryogin · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:29 am Post subject:

sawtooth · . Joined: 02 Nov 2005 Posts: 419

There was a book from the mid-90's about video game/board game package design at the library in Appleton. It has tons of SNES covers, and probably 3/4 of them are attributed to the steady airbrushing hand of Stephen Peringer.

I just found out that was his name. Until now, I thought it was Steve/Steven (googling "Steve Peringer" turns up a post I made in IC before I left for college). Some of his box art is at peringer.com, in the "advertising" section of "illustration."

Also: Mystic quest: http://www.illustrationonline.com/default.asp?cy=129674&ParentCategory=4&DontRedirect=2&CategorySearch=

R-Type: http://www.illustrationonline.com/default.asp?cy=129428&ParentCategory=1&DontRedirect=2&CategorySearch=

Either Logical journey of the Zoombinis or from that "Thinkin' Things" edutainment series: http://www.illustrationonline.com/default.asp?cy=129380&ParentCategory=4&DontRedirect=2&CategorySearch=

Something totally badass that I can't remember, but I know is from a video game of some sort: http://www.illustrationonline.com/default.asp?cy=128330&ParentCategory=1&DontRedirect=2&CategorySearch=

SuperWes · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:28 pm Post subject:

Looks like he's got a website. It's pretty much all standard commercial art, but it's nice. It looks like he did some Mario Kart art too.

Those Konami covers above are pretty awesome. I've got to admit that I miss the time when game box art was totally In your face! The Konami SNES stuff kinda reminds me of those awesome images on the back of Transformer boxes that show every possible character fighting in front of a night sky for some reason.

Here's a site with a bunch of those.

-Wes
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friedchicken · . Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 496 Location: Port Land, OR

seryogin · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:59 pm Post subject:

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

sawtooth · . Joined: 02 Nov 2005 Posts: 419

I really don't like any of the R-Type cover art. Except Peringer's airbrushed art is competently executed, unlike most of the other covers. He did pretty well given the poorly-designed monstrosity they all had to depict.

edit: I found it! I might buy it after I replace my debit card.

Mister Toups · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:27 pm Post subject:

Shit, sergei, I have an extra SNES!

You'll have to see about getting a power adapter and AV cables yourself, and I'm not sure if it works, but I can send it to you if you want!
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seryogin · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:04 pm Post subject:

TheRumblefish · . Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 258 Location: Florida

Metal Warriors had a very cool but also bland cover. However the artwork for the Nitro mech on the front of it is pretty decent, I'm pretty sure it's an American take on the original Japanese Manual perhaps.Cybernator had a goofy cover though. However, looking at it brings back fond memories.
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Mr. Apol · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject:

I always really dug the Contra III box art. As goofy as they were, I sorely miss old Konami instruction manuals.

Jimbo and Sully indeed.
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sawtooth · . Joined: 02 Nov 2005 Posts: 419

haha, your avatar is punching the forum tables out. uh, welcome!

If I get a copy of this game art book I'm going to scan and share it. Even if it's not Konami-related, there's cool stuff in it!

Mr. Apol · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:55 am Post subject: