Summary
- Spider-Man game covers are iconic and feature unique designs and storytelling elements.
- Each cover captures the essence of the game, showcasing Spidey in different scenarios and art styles.
- From vibrant and colorful designs to dark and serious tones, the covers offer a glimpse into what players can expect.
Though Spider-Man has had plenty of amazing movie and comic covers, this also applies to his games. Ever since the first game was released for the Atario 2600 in 1982, the Spider-Man franchise has been dropping games at a steady rate for fans to enjoy, and while each title features its own unique gameplay, story, and cast of characters before players even get into all this, they are greeted by the front cover.
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While not all developers will feel the need to get too creative with their cover art, when it comes to Spider-Man, there's so much potential there to create a genuinely captivating and memorable piece of artwork. It's therefore no surprise that there have been plenty of jaw-dropping game covers featuring Spidey, but when looking at overall design and uniqueness, there are definitely a few that stand out from the rest.
8 Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Simple, Straightforward, But Still So Stylish
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
- Released
- October 20, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure, Superhero
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The cover of the latest Spider-Man game may not be quite as flashy as some others, but its simplicity is what makes it so recognizable. Seeing Peter and Miles working together makes for an awesome visual, but the addition of the Symbiote webs and lightning power provides an insight into the unique abilities that these two heroes will be utilizing for their journeys.
Having a plain red background works to draw players' eyes to the suits, which have been crafted with an incredible level of detail. It's also just a nice way to feed into the Marvel brand as a whole, and more specifically, its red aesthetic.
7 Spider-Man
One Of The Most Recognizable Covers Of The PS1 Era Kicks It Back To Spider-Man's Early Animation Days
Spider-Man
- Released
- September 1, 2000
- Developer(s)
- Neversoft
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Platform(s)
- PS1, N64, Sega Dreamcast, PC, Nintendo Game Boy Color
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
There's something so charming about the 1990s design of Spider-Man. Despite this PS1 game coming out in 2000, the cover harkens back to the legendary animated series, depicting Spider-Man climbing up a skyscraper with an incredible shot of the bustling city streets behind him, creating an amazing sense of scale.
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Another standout feature of this cover is the Spider-Man font, which again references the style seen in the animated series. Clearly, this cover is a special treat for those 90s Spider-Man fans who can't get enough of the striking art style that the period was known for.
6 Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Multiple Spider-Men Show Up On This Cover To Make The Image Extra Colorful And Captivating
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
As the name implies, Shattered Dimensions is a game that features Spider-Men from all kinds of weird and whacky dimensions coming together to stop a common enemy. It therefore only makes sense that the four main Spider-Men would be shown off on the front cover, but thanks to the color contrast between their suits, it looks extremely vibrant and colorful.
Additionally, this cover also manages to subtly say a little about each iteration of the hero, such as how Spider-Man 2099 is deadly serious when looking at the screen to emphasize his no-nonsense persona. It's hard not to love a cover that features four Spider-Men for the price of one.
5 Spider-Man: Web Of Shadows
Web Of Shadows' Creative Cover Contains A Few Cameos That Grants Players A Glimpse Into The Story
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
- Released
- October 21, 2008
- Developer(s)
- Treyarch
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Beat 'Em Up
Web of Shadows features a very creative cover that includes two extra fan-favorite characters, including a surprising cameo from Wolverine. At the center of the cover is Spider-Man with a mean look in his eyes and his two fists raised; both of which show Venom and Wolverine on either side to give players an idea of what sorts of heroes and villains they can expect to run into during a playthrough.
That's not all though, as Peter's forearms depict two sides of Manhattan, one with the sky gleaming down on the city, and the other where it has become a dark and dreary area covered in Symbiote webs. It's a stunning cover that is packed full of small details to help elevate it from a visual perspective.
4 The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Peter Strikes A Quirky Pose In Front Of A Sun-Drenched NYC Bridge
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Released alongside the movie of the same name, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 introduces players to the experience with an eye-catching cover that puts everyone's favorite neighborhood hero on center stage. Having Peter hang upside down is a subtle but clever way to showcase his quirky personality, considering no other Marvel hero would be able to pull this off and manage to look this cool in the process.
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What really helps to elevate the design of this cover, though, is the bright sunlight showering Spider-Man from behind, almost presenting the hero as some kind of messiah who's come to rescue the people of his city from danger. Of course, it's also hard to ignore the giant web that Peter has constructed around himself, which manages to look both eerie and badass at the same time.
3 Spider-Man: Friend Or Foe
Friend Or Foe's Cover Presents A Rare Image Of Peter Working Alongside His Arch Enemies
Spider-Man: Friend Or Foe
- Released
- October 2, 2007
- Developer(s)
- Next Level Games
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Adventure, Beat-Em-Up
Though Spider-Man Friend or Foe takes inspiration from the Sam Raimi films, it is also its own story which is completely unrelated to the narrative of those movies. However, one common theme that is shared between them is the art style, which is perfectly represented on this cover, where Spider-Man's gorgeous suit can be seen up close and personal as he swings across the city.
He's certainly not alone though, as beside him can be seen Venom, Doctor Octopus, and the Green Goblin, making for a rather unusual but epic shot of the longtime enemies all working together as one unit. It feels as though the designers at Artificial Mind tried to cram as much into this cover as possible without it looking too over-the-top, and it's fair to say that they succeeded in this department.
2 Ultimate Spider-Man
One Of Spider-Man's Most Recognizable Covers Features A Dazzling Art Style
Ultimate Spider-Man
- Released
- September 22, 2005
- Developer(s)
- Treyarch
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Platform(s)
- PS2, Xbox (Original), GameCube, PC, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
There's so much to admire about the front cover of Ultimate Spider-Man. Since this image uses a comic-book art style rather than trying to be realistic, it granted the designers the opportunity to get creative with Spider-Man's suit, allowing him to invoke expressions much easier without even needing to show his face.
Behind the dazzling suit design can be seen a menacing depiction of Venom, whose arm is reaching out for Peter around the side of the page. Having this depiction of Venom be so vague and hard to see is intentional since it keeps players in suspense as they wonder what he will truly look like in-game, while also representing the subtle influence he will have over Peter's mind and actions.
1 Spider-Man: Edge Of Time
A Truly Epic Cover Which Is A Real Feast For The Eyes
Spider-Man: Edge of Time
- Released
- October 4, 2011
- Developer(s)
- Beenox, Other Ocean Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS, 3DS, Wii, PS3, Xbox 360
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
When creating a cover for a Spider-Man movie, comic, or game, most designers will either decide to depict Spidey in a hopeful and charismatic pose or will instead make him appear a little more moody and stoic. Edge of Times's cover opts for the latter, and with the incredible attention to detail, darker aesthetic, and the reflection of O'Hara in Spider-Man's eye, it results in a jaw-dropping piece of artwork that is hard to look away from.
It's also a nice touch to include two sides of the city to represent the two timelines that are featured within the story, one belonging to Peter, and the other to Miguel O'Hara. Seeing Spider-Man's suit slightly ripped and torn up also goes a long way in establishing the more mature and serious tone of this specific entry.
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