Ikari Warriors (1986, SNK)

They sent him on a mission and set him up to fail. But they made one mistake.

They forgot they were dealing with Rambo Ikari Warriors.

Atomic Punk (1991, Irem America Corp via Hudson Soft)

For whatever reason that anime didn't get mainstream attention in the 1980s, there seemed to be an associated fear that youth wouldn't purchase a foreign product unless an American artist was instructed to Americanize a Japanese design. Sometimes that tactic works, and sometimes it doesn't.

I would consider the flyer for Atomic Punk to be a success art-wise, but a failure in gameplay instructability.

It's like the artist saw nothing except for a few screenshots while composing this image. The grid on the floor, a multi-coloured rogues gallery, a laughing demon sun, and an evil-looking wizard. Yet all of these pale in comparison to one key element of this design.

The children.

Rolling Thunder 2 (1990, Namco)

I don't know if there's much I can say about this which could add to its awesomeness. The artwork is exquisite, while the text is shameful.

MISSION

DESTROY NEOGELDRA

THE EVIL ORGANIZATION !!

"ROLLING THUNDER" IS THE SECRET

AGENT OF WCPO

SUPER ACTION GAME

CODE NAME: LEILA ALBATROSS

I think if an evil conglomerate were to name themselves "Neogeldra", they'd automatically be assumed as Japanese. The main bad guy's name would be Parn (he looks like a businessman, but is actually an alien with two additional boss forms including one that is just floating eyeballs), and his associate/henchmen would be Vrad (Vampiric football star), Syliur (effeminate whip-wielding cyborg), Davis (the token black guy), and Laura (half-mermaid with a trident and half-Japanese).

Mind you, our hero's code name is "Rolling Thunder" which sounds like a dietary aid, and the code name of his mission is "Leila Albatross".

I really can't add to the awesomeness of this image.

Aliens (1990, Konami)

Ripley's looking a bit less harrowed in this one. Lighter in hair colour as well. And not as Sigourney Weaver-ish, either. Nice eye candy, though.

Also, it seems like Newt's weeks of scavenging through air ducts didn't take any toll on that immaculate pink sweater of hers, nor the high-top pink-laced basketball shoes she's sporting.

Devastators (1988, Konami)

For the GLORY, the MONEY......
and to feed the BEAST
inside their body !!!!!
DEVASTATORS

1989.
Fanatic Middle East dictator state has invaded
small underdeveloped country.
In desperation, this tiny land enlists the services of the
"DEVASTATORS".
Who are these guys? .... the best, most efficient, ruthless,
disciplined .... and most expensive 2-man team of
freedom fighters in the world.

There used to be a video store back in my hometown that sold the scummiest videos around. No one knew where these gems were procured, but it was always a fun and amazing time when they were discovered.