Mick McGinty, the man behind the iconic SNES Street Fighter II cover artwork, has died.
McGinty was an immensely talented artist, as is evidenced by the impressive collection of work on his personal site, but for gamers of the '90s, his output will be almost synonymous with video game covers.
He is perhaps most famous with Nintendo fans for creating the western cover artwork for the SNES version of Street Fighter II. While many people took issue with the 'westernisation' of the artwork at the time, it was very common practice for companies like Nintendo to commission entirely new artwork which was better suited to a particular region.
McGinty's cover – which features Chun-Li fighting Blanka over the prone body of Ryu – has gone down as one of the most recognisable video game covers of all time. McGinty's association with Street Fighter would continue with Street Fighter II: Champion Edition on the Mega Drive / Genesis, Street Fighter II Turbo on the SNES and Super Street Fighter II.
As well as producing work for Capcom's famous series, McGinty also created the covers for Streets of Rage 2 and Streets of Rage 3, as well as Kid Chameleon and Shining Force. Twitter account VGDensetsu has put together an excellent thread that shows off some of McGinty's work in the realm of video games:
Speaking about this father's commitment to his craft, his son Jobey McGinty shared the following message:
My Dad was an incredible artist, as everyone knows. And in true artist fashion, he was also never satisfied with his final work. Just a couple weeks ago, he said he needed "just one more hour on a few pieces" in order to "really finish them." We all knew that just wasn't true, though. Dad would always come visit our house, see some of the paintings he did for us over the years, and would put his nose about an inch from it and say, "y'know, Jobe, I wish I would have made those blues a little deeper," or "you know I'd love to just splash a little more shadows on that tree," or "that really needs a fresh coat of varnish on it."
McGinty was interviewed for the upcoming Street Fighter II documentary Here Comes A New Challenger, which is currently in the last stages of its funding drive on Indiegogo. It will therefore represent McGinty's final interview. You can catch a part of it in the trailer below, around the 1:15 mark.
Everyone at Nintendo Life would like to pass on our regards and thoughts to the McGinty family at this difficult time.
[source caringbridge.org]
Comments 17
Oh nice I had no idea there was a documentary coming up!
RIP to a cover art legend. So many of his works inspire instant nostalgia in me and I have his SoR2 cover framed on a wall at home, near my Mega Drive.
Thank you. So many great cover arts.
His SFII drawings are absolutely beautiful.
His artwork had a massive impact for me personally and no doubt on the wider world.
Street Fighter II
Streets of Rage II
Shining Force
Kid Chameleon
Four massive games that shaped a generation and that I (like many others) played for hours on end and have fond memories of.
I remember studying these artworks on countless occasions. Either in stores as I repeatedly looked at the same games over and over until I could afford to buy them or when they were finally on my shelf.
I also remember trying to draw the Kid Chameleon cover a few times because I loved it so much.
I don’t think these artists know how much they helped shape gaming for our generation or the impact they had on us individually.
Thanks for memories Mick.
I never knew, incredible artwork!! RIP to this talented guy. Very sad news to hear.
Man, Street Fighter and Streets of Rage are some of my favorite series. I appreciate the artwork, may he Rest In Peace.
Absolute legend. Gazing at box art in the 90's was huge part of ones buying decision for new video games. I ended up with my fair share of stinkers that way.
RIP, sir. Thank you for all the great artwork! That SF II artwork started a lifelong love for both the series and the genre.
That's sad. He will be remembered though, those Street Fighter covers are incredibly iconic.
I grew up watching his SFII artwork, and loving it to this very day. May he rest in peace and his family find solace in all the fans around the world who appreciate his art.
Rest in peace, Mick-san.
@Poodlestargenerica
Yeah I always preferred the Japanese artwork.
I remember seeing these cover artworks. So many memories too. Each game, he brought to life in his own unique way. Those titles were treasures because of his fantastic work. Will never forget
Thanks for the wonderful artwork!
I always loved his artwork. He will be missed 😢
This might sound weird, but with Charlie Watts’ recent, ummmmm….. you know what ☠️, I almost thought it said Mick Jagger….
But hey, RIP!
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