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With an industry as competitive and fast-paced as video games, branding is crucial. Companies know that a well designed logo goes a long way to help ensure recognition. It’s often the first thing that enters one’s mind when a company is mentioned, and in gaming it’s one of the first things players see as they sit down to start a new title. Today we’re paying respect to ten of our favorite video game logos.
Nintendo 64
With clear emphasis on the polygons that set the console apart from its predecessors, the Nintendo 64 logo is comprised of four ‘N’s connected to form a cube-like shape. The color scheme is as eye-catching as they come, displaying a vibrant selection of green, blue, red, and yellow. A quick shout-out to the pre-launch ‘Ultra 64’ logo as well, representing one of the console’s working names that was seen on a test model.
Capcom (1989 – Present)
Something about the color scheme and simplicity of the serif style font featured in the Capcom logo really appeals to me. It may have something to do with the overall quality of the Japanese developer’s output – when I see that logo pop up on screen, I’m probably in for something good! The font has been in use since at least 1988, but in 1990 the now iconic yellow and blue combination was put to use.
Doom (1993)
A game as gory and visceral as 1993’s Doom deserves a logo with the same boldness that made the series famous. There’s nothing about it that screams guns or demons, but it’s sharp, angular, and down-to-business. It displays extremely well within the context of the game’s cover art, standing out strong while still fitting in perfectly.
PlayStation (1994 – 2009)
I can almost hear startup sound just looking at it! The original PlayStation logo features the initials PS in a way that tastefully employs both depth and color. A red ‘P’ stands vertically, while a vibrantly colored ‘S’ lays behind horizontally. It served as a loud declaration that 3D graphics had fully arrived on home video game consoles. The logo’s more recent variant drops the color scheme, which admittedly gives it a more modern appeal – even if it does lack that classic luster.
Kojima Productions (2015 – Present)
After his split with Konami, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima relaunched the Kojima Productions name as an independent company. Not unlike his style of games, the new logo is stylish, mysterious, and a bit dark. It’s a stark emblem of a skull character (named Ludens) who is wearing a protective helmet. Not a whole lot is known about the mascot other than the logo clip of him claiming stake on the moon with a company branded flag.
Sierra Entertainment (1983 – 1993)
Yes, it’s dated, but that’s part of its charm. Known for their vast line of computer games and software, one look at the Sierra logo is sure to send 80s kids back in time. It depicts a mountain enclosed in a circle, but the appeal largely comes from its use of horizontal lines for depth, not dissimilar from the AT&T logo. With a number of classics under its belt including King’s Quest, Space Quest, and Leisure Suit Larry, the logo has seen a number of revisions over the years, at one point dropping the famous encircled mountain icon in favor of a more subtle marking. It was later revamped and brought back, gracing the emblem to this day.
Sega Dreamcast
A whimsical swirl, almost at risk of being too on-the-nose for a system called the Dreamcast, Sega’s 2001 console that turned out to be its last. The logo paired perfectly with Sega’s marketing campaign with an allure that matches the public’s intrigue that has grown in the years since it was discontinued. One of the cooler aspects of this logo is that different regions received different colors. The European/Australian version is blue, the Japanese is orange, while North America and Brazil received it in red (shown above). Some believe the variants are a nod to the colors of Sega’s flagship characters: Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles.
Castlevania (2003-2020)
This one was a tough call. A Castlevania logo on this list seemed like a must, but it wasn’t easy deciding which one. I have a lot of love for the classic logo, and honestly the newest one’s not bad either. But the logo used from 2003 to 2020 just hits all the right notes. It’s crisp, gothic, and just damn cool! Not unlike the games themselves.
Mortal Kombat
The Mortal Kombat symbol is an emblem that has remained largely untouched since the series’ inception in 1992. It carries a certain mystique that has kept its edge for decades, and I don’t see it going away any time soon. A circle enclosing a dragon bust with its forked tongue out in a threatening manner, it manages to capture the aura of the franchise without being overt. It was recently revealed that the logo was almost scrapped before the original game’s release after it was mistaken for seahorse, something I’m very glad did not happen!
Grand Theft Auto (2001 – Present)
Boldness and simplicity seem to be a running theme on this list, but that’s just how some of the best logos are described. Little more than a basic typeface, the Grand Theft Auto used from the 3rd entry on somehow incorporates both strength and elegance. It sports broad lines and sleek curvature that effectively embody the series’ urban environments, becoming a label sure to be recognized by gamers around the world.
What are some of your favorite video game logos? We’d love to hear in the comments.
