Don't Judge a Sega Genesis Game By Its Cover - Segadrunk

Super Nintendo version: • Don't Judge a Super Ni...
Games covered:
[0:38] Strider
[1:14] Landstalker
[1:57] Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
[2:41] Dynamite Duke
[3:13] Generations Lost
[3:56] Elemental Master
[4:34] Haunting Starring Polterguy
[5:22] Kid Chameleon
New SNES-related video every Tuesday, and something else (Genesis, Game Boy, whatever) on Thursdays
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[@lunaticlemon2997]

Fun fact: the landstalker american box art was done by none other than the late Greg Martin. A former Hanna-Barbera and Disney employee who was in charge of illustrating most of the Hanna-Babera, Disney and Looney Tunes box art covers. He is mostly known for doing the North American box art of the Sonic series and has done so for other games like Time Gal and Pocky & Rocky. He passed away in early 2013.

[@Enchurito]

I actually was looking for strider for years, couldn't ever find it. Then one day I read the spine, saw the cover, had to look it up to see if strider was the game I thought it was. I realized I'd seen like 30 copies in the past and ignored it because it looked so terrible.

[@AdeptScholar]

While I may be in a minority, I actually dig that cover art for "Kid Chameleon". Lots of colors and conveys a lot of options of play.

[@DSan-kl2yc]

The transformations do look good. The kid himself does look like a stereotype, so I agree with drunk about that.

[@stereo_future]

I came to say this too. Maybe its because I grew up in a rural area, but I thought he looked cool. Kind of like a cross between a young Zach Morris and the two kids from the Crossfire commercial. At the very least, it didn't look like his mom bought him his clothes, which to an elementary school kid, was all that was really needed to look cool.

[@mortimermouse]

Exactly my thoughts, I dont think you are in minority here, this cover art it’s actually pretty awesome. The boy in the middle is relaxed, unlike any “tude” era character, he only have “too cool to school” accessories, more like James Dean than New Kids On The Block. Also, technically is way above average, even for today’s standards, there is a kind of a 50’s poster art quality in it. It’s timeless, well made, beautifully composed, wall worthy artwork. The drunk missed the point in this one, that’s ok, I forgive him.

[@BrainSlugs83]

The cover art never bothered me -- but the way the narrator described it felt entirely true for the story (like it's just stupid, you get trapped in a VR arcade game or something -- it's exactly like a bunch of dudes in their 50s were like, "what's cool right now? What stuff do kids like?") XD

[@jaychristianglass]

Yeah I agree. It looks a little cheesy now. But in all honesty, that is exactly what I tried to look like when I was in second or third grade around the time that this game was released.

[@tecianeli]

Now do the oposite. Bad games with great covers.

[@kidv2]

William Tecianeli heck yes great 👍 great idea

[@kenrickeason]

Great Idea!

[@chancepaladin]

ooo!

[@leogarivayv.2907]

A lot of Sega games had those

[@kevinerosa]

I know its not a sega games, but first game that came to my mind was Deadly Towers.

[@RadReviews777]

I always liked the cover for Kid Chameleon. I always remembered it, and it originally intrigued me to play it. It used to be one of my favorite games for the system.

[@13lood13ath]

I completely disagree with Kid Chameleon. When I was 8, I went to the mall with my parents and while we were there, we happened to pass by the electronics section of sears and that's when I saw it. One of the most awesome and coolest looking videos games I'd ever seen. I remember saving up money to get that game and it was amazing when I finally went back to get it.

[@dsr521]

Basically same thing here. Not sure why this video included KC.

[@Luchiop]

The Kid Chameleon cover is a 10... I will someday hang a print on a wall. It´s super well done in every sense.

[@marquesbowden0130]

1:37 I remember (I'm about the same age as you) when I would visit my step dad in San Antonio they had the Sega channel, a machine that allowed you to play their entire catalog. I could not remember the name of this game but I was addicted to it. I think this game is a gem and appreciate you pointing that out.

[@kingboobs20]

I'm sorry but that Kim Chameleon cover is a fucking work of art.

[@SonofSethoitae]

I'm so glad Landstalker is getting talked about more in discussions of good Sega Genesis games. I've put a ton of time into that one.

[@Dj.D25]

I really enjoyed that game and it seems to be a underrated classic.

[@allenharper2928]

Haunting starring Polterguy was AWESOME! It was a hilarious make your own haunted house game. Loved seeing what all the different spook-ums did when activated.

[@IamJdTrent]

I think Kid Chameleon is one of the most overlooked, underappreciated games I've ever played. It has everything...challenging levels,cool costumes/powerups with unique abilities. Hidden secrets. And alot of replay value. Definitely a game where when I saw it in action for the first time,I was like "What is this? It looks cool".

[@permafrost2064]

Love the Stevie Y reference! Also, Elemental Master is a majorly underrated game. The sound track rules!

[@anthonybernero9720]

When I was a kid I clipped out a picture of bitter beer face and framed it. I still keep it displayed with the family photos. I'll never forget Grandma's face when she saw it. She did a double take and then was completely stunned with confusion. Finally, she says, "I don't believe I've ever met this fella before." "Is this guy on your side of the family, Leslie?", she asked my mother. Mom turns and says, "Oh, that?! Goodness no. Your grandson is just a friggin' weirdo!" -Precious Moments-

[@TheGreenMeanie]

"Worthless Associates Graphic Design Degree" - I feel for you bro, same here.

[@TFOOS]

Started watching your channel a few weeks ago and I really like your videos. Brings back some great memories growing up with the SNES & MD

[@Sinn0100]

"When we were young no one had the internet, at least not my family. "There weren't any KZbin channels featuring smug dorks who aren't even drunk" -Subscribed.

[@Randhrick]

That's what happens when a stupid marketing department wants to Americanized everything. For some reason, they seemed to want to get rid of everything that looks Japanese back in the days ..... Box art from Japan was so much better for pretty much every game (Super Metroid being a perfect example)

[@chrispacheco8590]

Most of the Super Nintendo art looked like Cereal box art...sugary and sweet

[@likeanuuk6612]

im sure it was just a culture thing. 2d animation was more respected in japan than other places back then. but sonic's american box art looked so good so im happy for that

[@johnnynorrisjr.39]

That would be because their contracts allowed for them to receive a share of the money from sales, the more original work the localization team had to do on the game. It wasn't outright racism (though I'll bet that figured into it more than enough times), just money grubbing assholery of the sort we've become all to accustomed to.

[@snichelsticks8653]

I think the perfect example is actually mega man. it went from looking like astro boy turned blue into middle aged overweight cosplaying dad

[@bbutters2]

The Strider box art guy looks like a hybrid of James Van der Beek and Craig Scheffer.

[@chrispacheco8590]

He looks like an 80s game show host

[@RobimusPrime]

Glad I subscribed to magazines.. If I didn’t read the reviews, I wouldn’t have bought it

[@johnnynorrisjr.39]

James Van der Beek lol omg

[@dariohc6898]

Kid Chameleon rulez

[@supersexysega]

Kid Chameleon is very underrated and every bit as fun as Super Mario World.

[@craigcotter7476]

are you mad? Kid Chameleon is dog turd compared to Mario World and that isn't even an opinion, it's fact.

[@DanielRiossuper1rios]

I made two complete level hacks for kid chameleon. If you guys want to try them visit rom hacking dot net and you can download the patches for the game.

[@lilwyvern4]

It's probably my favorite Genesis game. It's brutally difficult, even unfair at times (looking at you, inescapable dead end!), and has no save function, but it has great music, tons of content, and plenty of room for replays. Great for speedrunners and challenge seekers.

[@supersexysega]

@Benjamin Jagun So much American 🇺🇸 swag in Kid Chameleon it's actually better

[@sweetpataterz8738]

Kid Chameleon is a pretty okay game but is absolutely nowhere near Super Mario World’s level, and I’m not even that huge a fan of SMW.

[@dtdimeflicks6708]

This so far this is my favorite video you've done.

[@kaimcdragonfist4803]

Whoa whoa whoa, you're not even drunk? I feel lied to, next think you know you'll be saying you're not even a SNES

[@SevenCompleted]

I think that strider album artwork is supposed to be like flash gordon didnt stop me from buying it though thankfully

[@MrDeedsly]

Playing it in arcade made me buy it. I was throw off with it's terrible artwork and still bought. I played the hell out of the cartridge.

[@JONNYSORENSEN_AU]

Flash gordon mixed with early trek Shatner

[@jngx80]

That’s the thing. Most games at that time used other media as influence or maybe the only artists willing to do box art were those who did stuff for other media. So anything sci-fi related looked like Flash Gordon, buck Rogers, Star Trek, etc. anything fantasy would be generic d&d, Conan the barbarian, Fabio stuff. Japanese box art probably wouldn’t work because it’s too foreign - both figuratively and literally. Art style is very different, US didn’t like darker themes, the strider character was too Asian.

[@Privatex112]

Great Vid! I have never heard of most of these games, and they all seem very interesting!

[@BotzaBrand]

Dynamite Duke’s cover always reminded me of the one arm man from Arrested Development. Strider’s cover always reminded me of Craig Sheffer, circa his nightlife after walking off the set of Some Kind of Wonderful

[@chrispacheco8590]

Man awesome piece, you had me cracking the f up most of the time, thank you! 😂😂😂

[@the_chris]

There's so many more, I feel like this just scratches the surface! Shining Force I & II for example...

[@Dj.D25]

Agree. I love both Shining Force games, but the cover artwork for both looks really generic. Even Shining Force CD. I feel back then there was some unwritten rule where games with anime style characters couldn't be used on western box cover art since anime wasn't mainstream or appealing to western audiences yet.

[@jujux4116]

Never really was a Genesis Megadrive fan in my childhood (more then 35 years ago) except for Gunstar Heroes (a master hit !!!), i'm glad you do Sega videos ! keep on going man love your work !

[@chrisfordeditor]

This was one of your funnier videos. Keep up the good work, SNESDRUNK!

[@glowingunknown5625]

OMG. You helped me remember the name of a game I was trying to find again! Landstalker. It was pretty good, puzzles and such.

[@lucaslease4571]

Thoroughly impressed by the Mike Hampton and Stevie Y comments! Nicely done!

[@Incubusnut]

I love the humor in this channel!

[@lesterrr12312]

omigosh, dat Alexx Kidd reaction, LOL!! great video, it's nice to know someone knows about Generations Lost at all! i think there's a "boss battle" at the very end, but it's like fighting a machine, mostly avoiding projectiles, so yeah, that doesn't really count..

[@chaospoet]

I always thought the guy on the Stryder cover looked like a blonde hair, middle age version of Craig Sheefer from Clive Barker's Nightbreed.

[@strumdynastygaming7217]

Great job! I might need to check these out.

[@charlesgoudreau5732]

Great video. One of your best I might say. Love the extra humor and your content is excellent, as always. Keep it up, non-drunk SNES drunk.

[@vinnyvox7173]

I loved kid chameleon. It was my all time favorite game growing up

[@FnRenner]

Kid Chameleon was THE SHIT! We would rent it on Friday and spend the weekend almost beating it. When we finally did it felt epic, like Hogan at WM3 or Buster Douglas beating Tyson in '90!

[@adamsturtevant1938]

How dare those other people not be drunk when reviewing obnoxiously.

[@JohnAGalvanArt]

Great video by the way, lots of good gems here and i REALLY can relate to your Graphic Design comment, keeping it real.

[@GregBrant]

The Yzerman reference for elmental master made me snort - nice pull. Another great video, thank you sir.

[@DSan-kl2yc]

I like the cartoony look of the enemies in the cover of landstalker. And the elemental master cover looks decent enough. Reminds me of the commercials for phantasy star from Japan. Worst one is definitely Alex Kidd tho. Wow. Haunting cover is ok too.

[@camtron]

I never thought Kid Chameleon was boring. Once you realize there are tons of secret paths through the 100+ levels and bonuses for finishing the level a certain way, it kept my attention. The cover art was awesome. It really got your attention on the shelves and I must have rented it 10 times before actually owning it myself.

[@andyappleton3353]

Kid Chameleon was a ton of fun. Just very light-hearted and simplistic.

[@SmashTom]

Great video! I loved the way you burned those covers to the ground, haha. Especially the Alex Kidd one; sheesh that's disturbing to look at (and not worth renting back then based on just the cover)

[@AUGBAR454]

I remember beyond oasis. That game had a really bland cover art but when i played it i fell in love. Has breakable weapons and lots of cool magic and puzzles.

[@ryancork7555]

DUUUUUUDE for nearly 20yrs I have looked for "Haunting starring Polterguy" but could NOT remember the name of this game. I have googled every. variation of this game I could think of and I NEVER found it ... played it once, got freaked out when you could posses people and gave it back to my friend. I love your channel!!!

[@tximinoman]

Am I the only one who thinks Elemental Master's cover is pretty good? Sure, it's not the best ever, but compared to some of the shit in this list it looks great

[@jameswalt1]

Yes, it's awesome!

[@danmakuman]

Yep I like it even more than the Japanese cover. the artwork is much better

[@l30S3UX]

looks pretty cool to me as well

[@thebasketballhistorian3291]

Me too! I think Snesdrunk was just bothered by the guy's resemblance to random celebs, lol.

[@kekeke8988]

You're all out of your goddamn minds. That's among the worst cover art I've ever seen.

[@michaeljohnston5890]

Nice video! lol the box art for Alex Kidd kinda reminds me of the logo for old Mad Magazine / Mad TV

[@Oni_Dino]

Man, you should do a sub series of box art critiques, ranging from the awful to the amazing. This was a great video!

[@JohnAGalvanArt]

"There were no smug abnoxious dorks that weren't drunk" Beautiful!

[@Hate_wagon]

Even drunk.............. God I suck.

[@JohnAGalvanArt]

@@Hate_wagon Thanks ;)

[@m1astra-channel]

Cool video, very interesting👍👍

[@searchbar83]

With all the power up options, a kid chameleon maker type game would be awesome.

[@JamieBainbridge]

I'm only having a great rest of my day cos you told me to. Thanks for always having our backs bro 👍

[@yellowcard425]

Generations Lost looks like it has Danzig on the cover with his face covered by clouds

[@ThePartySourceReviews]

I remember seeing a commercial for Kid Chameleon and thinking "That looks RAD!". But finding the game at the video store had me passing it up due to the artwork.

[@IamJdTrent]

You missed out,it's awesome and unique. He didn't give it enough credit in this vid.

[@Wykesidefruitmachine]

This is great, so funny 😂

[@Cracknationn]

Kid chameleon cover art isnt bad

[@thebigsquig]

I love the clearly warhammer space marines in the background on the stride box art. Like strait out of 80s warhammer. Clearly the artist was a fan

[@louyork553]

Keystone Light Bitter Beer Face. Wow. That shit took me back to early adolescence. Well played

[@misternobodysixtynine]

thank you for showing some of these hidden gems...

[@ExtremeWreck]

1:34 LMAO reminds me of those Goodtimes Home Video & UAV movies that were more or less knockoffs of Disney movies alongside Dingo Pictures. Also reminds me of bootleg & pirated video game cover art.

[@thehumbleone1983]

Great Video 👍👍👍👍👍

[@chancepaladin]

OMfg I love Landstalker so muuuuuuuuuuch! So many good memories.

[@jasoncrews2]

2:01 Nightmare fuel 😜 Awesome video though gotta check some of these out!!!

[@gilbertacosta7434]

The cover art for Strider looks like a 90's actor who played the QB in "The Program". He was also the lead role in "Night Breed".

[@SoZ1646]

Oh man; that graphic design joke got me good!!!

[@catshavergaming3593]

LandStalker is one of the best games I played. Really fun and cool animation.

[@n0isyturtle]

idk how old SNES Drunk is, but for a child in the '90s that Kid Chameleon art was epic as hell. Literally why I begged my mom to get it in the shop was because of the cover.

[@BigHairyMarty314]

I kinda like the Alex Kidd and Kid Chameleon covers. It also helps that Kid Chameleon was adapted in Sonic the Comic back then. As for Alex Kidd, the brief description that featured on a promotional Mega Drive poster was enough to intrigue me.

[@Hate_wagon]

Thanks bud ....another good video..

[@natejoe9924]

Yeah those magazines would have been coming out around about this time yeah but I remember those magazines

[@neversleepagain4854]

I actually thought the Kid Chameleon cover was really cool when I was a kid.

[@krisc1684]

You finessed that opening. That coulda easily been terrible and out of place, but you nailed it. Kudos.

[@titmaus7732]

I love the Haunting boxart

[@saturngamer1997]

STRIDER was, is and will be one of my TOP 5 games ever.... I play the game every year to the end... And thanks to you.......... I remembered ELEMENTAL MASTER, I wanted the game back in the 90´s, totally forgot about it until today.

[@sidequestjk9713]

I always liked the Kid Chameleon cover. Your other picks are spot-on, but the illustration on Kid Chameleon is fantastic. It trying to be "Cool" is part of the charm. An actual problem with this game is that it is endlessly long with no saving or password feature.

[@marcoschioli2532]

I like Kid Chameleon cover :(

[@marcocoelho4258]

I am reminded of the Boris Vallejo game covers for Sega Genesis. Not that they were bad at all, but they all had that unique, 'Conan The Barbarian'-esque style to it.

[@rjfahey]

Gotta love the Mike Hampton reference :D

[@CyberattackWorld]

SNES Drunk, I love ya, but the Kid Chameleon box art rules!

[@anthonyreynoza8535]

I know right thats a cool cover

[@guyfromsouth1976]

Thank you , few memories . . . .

[@nonplussed7181]

Lmao some great lines from you in this one

[@1dyingwish]

*Diiid you ever know that you're my Herooo, because you are the wind beneath my wingssss.* Thank you, thank you.

[@TvValenti]

Land Stalker absolutely best game of that style in forever!! Actually I see many people would never finish it, or end up Breaking there systems over it!!

[@Kanovich_]

OMG I was looking for "Generation Lost" for years, I couldn't remember the name. I used to play it as a child!

[@DeathMetalHero]

"My useless associates degree in design...." .....well now MY useless associates degree in design feels personally attacked..... so true though

[@ArtDocHound]

Sweet vid

[@essdoug]

You know what ... I WILL have a great ready of my day ...

[@alainsoucysergerie9879]

That Stevie Y reference really caught me off guard...! 🤣

[@villain5873]

Alex Kidd’s face makes me think of cookies 🍪

[@shane1489]

Side note Hampton pitched for the Braves too although he spent more time on the DL than the field...

[@stormwater6580]

Haunting was a great idea. I’d love an update of this.

[@thecorrectoification]

I've always wanted to be that cool 90's kid chameleon cover art. Either that or the powerglove kid from The Wizard

[@chaseedwards7024]

The Steve Yzerman reference warms my heart.

[@silentfanatic]

Haunting! Yes! Always loved this one. It's kind of repetitive, but pretty unique.

[@robl9767]

Now you are talking my favorite console before I fell in love with the Playstation but yet I am a subscriber to your channel hmmm maybe it's your calm voice I mean not a good as LGR's but man I love your videos on games I could care less about and will never play due to having no interest in a SNES like back then I was all about Sega after not really liking many games on the NES. Dude you need more subs just for shits and giggles ya know? Great video keep up the awesome work!

[@onkelnb]

The Tank Thing of the Kid Chameleon cover is kind of cool. I once drew a tank with a turret designed like a prussian spiked helmet. And I named it "Wilhelm" which is not only an emperors Name but also sounds like "will (einen) Helm" and that is "wants a helmet". After your video, I will always link this Story to the cover art of a game I don't even know. Weird enough?

[@FXNRVN]

I bought Shining Force II based on its box art. Was on sale at Blockbuster for $9. Became one of my all time favorite games