There was a time when a magazine cover could spark the imagination like nothing else. Long before trailers dropped instantly on the internet or social media was flooded with gameplay leaks, we waited for the mail, or stood impatiently in the magazine aisle, for the latest issue of Nintendo Power. It wasn’t just a source of news. It was an event. And more often than not, what pulled me in wasn’t just the content, it was that glorious, vibrant, sometimes bizarre cover art.
Looking back at Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time is more than just a nostalgic trip through retro gaming history. It’s a deep dive into how art, branding, and fan excitement collided during a defining era. The magazine didn’t just reflect the culture, it helped build it. Whether it was through clay models, hand-drawn illustrations, or early computer graphics, each cover told a story before a single page was turned.
And while picking the absolute best is no easy task, there are some covers so iconic, so burned into the memories of longtime fans, that they demand to be revisited. Here’s my take on Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time and why they mattered so much to an entire generation of gamers.
The Legend Begins – Issue #1 (July/August 1988)
There’s no better place to start than the beginning. The debut issue featured Super Mario Bros. 2 on the cover, but not just in a typical screenshot or painting. Instead, it was a photograph of sculpted clay models, Mario hoisting a turnip with wart looming in the background. It was odd, chunky, and delightfully weird.
This wasn’t the sleek, digital kind of art we’d expect now. It was handmade. Tangible. Physical. And it set the tone that Nintendo Power wasn’t just another magazine, it was a playful, hands-on celebration of gaming. That mix of creativity and charm is why this issue still tops lists when discussing Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time.
The Dark Side Emerges – Issue #16 (September 1990)
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse brought a much darker, gothic energy to the cover lineup. Featuring an intense, almost horror-movie-style painting of Trevor Belmont mid-action, this cover was a sharp departure from the more cartoonish or toy-like art of earlier issues.
The color palette was moody, the expression was serious, and the vibe was pure old-school horror adventure. It captured the feeling of danger and drama in a way few covers had before. For fans of action and horror games, this issue was a standout and remains a fan favorite in the conversation about Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time.
The Hype of the Ages – Issue #61 (June 1994)
There are very few moments in gaming more pivotal than the buildup to Super Metroid. And Issue #61 nailed it with a powerful, dramatic cover showing Samus Aran standing defiantly before the monstrous Mother Brain. The deep reds and alien purples in the background set an eerie, high-stakes tone.
What made this cover exceptional was its ability to capture the loneliness and grandeur of the Metroid universe. It told a story in a single image. For fans who had waited years for a Metroid sequel, this cover announced that the legend had returned, and it looked better than ever.
In the ongoing legacy of Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time, this one delivers on both aesthetics and emotion.
The Iconic Warrior – Issue #85 (June 1996)
Super Mario 64 changed everything. So when Nintendo Power featured the game on its cover ahead of the Nintendo 64 launch, the excitement was almost overwhelming. Mario’s 3D model was brand-new to our eyes, looking more dynamic and alive than ever before.
There was a sense of pure possibility in that cover. A new system, a new way to play, and a new visual language for Mario and his world. The image of Mario soaring through the sky wasn’t just marketing, it was a promise that gaming was about to evolve.
It’s no surprise this issue is considered one of Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time. It marked the end of the pixel era and the beginning of something truly revolutionary.
Enter the Darkness – Issue #89 (October 1996)
Shadows of the Empire, part of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, got a major push from Nintendo, and the corresponding cover was a stunner. It featured original artwork of Dash Rendar battling it out with familiar foes like Boba Fett in an icy Hoth setting.
It had that perfect mix of cinematic flair and sci-fi adrenaline. For Star Wars fans, it was a dream come true. And for gamers, it showed how Nintendo could handle large-scale franchises with their own flair. This crossover appeal helped push the magazine beyond just Nintendo die-hards and straight into the pop culture conversation.
That ability to blend gaming with broader fandom is one reason this ranks among Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time.
Cartoon Chaos – Issue #117 (February 1999)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time had just released, and the follow-up issue went all-in with a gorgeous, close-up rendering of Link, sword and shield at the ready. There was a glow in his eyes, a golden shimmer in the background, and a feeling of timeless heroism that only Zelda could deliver.
What made this cover special wasn’t just the art, it was the moment. Ocarina of Time had redefined what an adventure game could be, and the magazine’s cover captured that weight. It didn’t need to show Hyrule or a big boss fight. It simply presented Link as a legendary figure.
In the realm of Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time, this one gets extra points for tone and timing.
The Unexpected Hit – Issue #125 (October 1999)
This cover might not make every top 10 list, but for me, the issue highlighting Donkey Kong 64 was pure excitement. With its deep jungle greens, flashy character models, and explosive logo, it practically jumped off the newsstand.
It symbolized how far the Donkey Kong franchise had come, from its 8-bit origins to a 3D collect-a-thon filled with humor and personality. The cover’s energy matched the chaotic, colorful nature of the game itself.
While not the most elegant, this one earns its place in Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time simply for capturing that late-’90s vibe of over-the-top ambition and tech-powered spectacle.
Covering Pokémon Mania – Issue #110 (July 1998)
When Pokémon exploded in the U.S., Nintendo Power was right there to capture the frenzy. Issue #110 featured Pikachu front and center, grinning with uncontainable energy. The design was bright, bold, and impossible to ignore.
This was more than a game cover, it was a cultural marker. Kids were trading cards, watching the show, and playing Pokémon Red and Blue non-stop. Seeing Pikachu on the cover felt like validation. Our obsession had gone mainstream.
This cover is essential to any list of Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time because it represents a moment when Nintendo didn’t just dominate gaming, it took over youth culture itself.
A Final Farewell – Issue #285 (December 2012)
Though well beyond the magazine’s golden age, the final issue of Nintendo Power deserves recognition. The cover showed Mario and friends waving goodbye in a direct nod to the very first issue. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
After nearly 25 years, the magazine that helped define an entire generation of gamers was saying farewell. But it did so with class, reverence, and a deep connection to its history.
This cover is more than one of Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time, it’s the closing chapter to a beloved saga. It encapsulated the nostalgia, the joy, and the legacy of the magazine in one final image.
What Made These Covers Special
It wasn’t just the art that made these covers memorable. It was the context. Each one marked a moment, whether it was the launch of a new console, the debut of a beloved franchise, or a cultural tipping point. The covers reflected the passion of the fans, the ambitions of developers, and the magic of gaming as a shared experience.
They were crafted with care and often with physical materials, models, paintings, mixed media. This gave them a texture and warmth missing from most modern game advertising. You could feel the effort in every detail.
Most importantly, these covers helped define what it meant to be a Nintendo fan. They weren’t just flashy posters for upcoming games. They were badges of identity, of belonging. You saw them in bedrooms, laminated in binders, or pinned to walls. They were trophies of anticipation and imagination.
A Lasting Legacy
Even now, years after the last issue, the influence of Nintendo Power and its legendary covers is still felt. Artists continue to recreate them. Collectors hunt down mint-condition issues. And digital archives preserve them so that new generations can see what made them so special.
More than marketing, more than hype, these covers told stories. They captured moments. They brought games to life before they were even played.
So when thinking about Nintendo Power’s greatest covers of all time, I’m not just remembering which ones looked cool. I’m remembering how they made me feel. Excited. Inspired. Connected. Like I was part of something bigger.
And really, that’s the greatest cover of all, the one that lives in your memory, the one you saw on a shelf or in your mailbox and thought, “I can’t wait to play this.”
That feeling never left me. It probably never will.