Earlier on this week we enjoyed getting a look at the original 'Black Box' designs for some classic NES titles, and now we can do the same for the Nintendo 64 and the Sega Mega Drive.

The designs in question can be found on an old video game voucher for Sears, offering money off a select number of titles. In the image, shared by @VGArtAndTidbits, we can see pictures of both Super Mario 64 and Sonic Blast (the Mega Drive version of which was to be later named Sonic 3D Blast) with decidedly different cover art than we have come to know.

There's a lotta changes going on for Mario in this alternative cover. Rather than flying around the globe with his teeny tiny wings, this Mario is a man of action, leaping out of a pit to escape a pursuing Bowser. Clearly liking the image, Nintendo ended up sticking with something similar for the game's cartridge art in the end, though we like the hardcore scorched earth vibe of this other design. You can grab a peep at the finished cartridge art below (featuring the signature of one Mr. Charles Martinet - sorry, flex over) to compare to the alternative cover.

The game entitled 'Sonic Blast' (a title which would later be used on a Game Gear release) on the other hand takes a finished design that we assumed couldn't get any creepier and turns it up to a whole new level of uncanny. In a similar pose to the final Sonic 3D Blast case, this alternate Sonic is rounder, plumper and with eyes that appear to be staring right into our very soul. Yeah, we're pleased they changed that one.

While these covers are a good ol' blast from the past, we wouldn't bet on the voucher still working today. This being said, do you see a use by date...?

What do you make of this different box art? Let us know your memories of the games down below!

What a nostalgic memory you guys triggered. . .

I miss when Mario 64 was groundbreaking and fresh.

“Use before all Sears in your area have closed down completely and are replaced by a seasonal spirit halloween store”

RIP Sears Canada. Many of their old big department store spaces out here still haven't been replaced even now.

I always thought Sears only sell house utilities, furniture, and clothes, I did not found out that they also sell videogames until 2000.

@Serpenterror I always thought they only sold tires/auto parts. Idk why, guess I'm just too young

I remember buying Rogue Leader at Sears for $20. Other than that purchase, Sears was only for buying clothes and getting the car fixed.

No expiration date. I wonder if I could still use this coupon...

@montrayjak imagine buying Sonic frontiers with that coupon

Flying mario I'd iconic, couldn't imagine anything else

Sears huh.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=031vKBPk5eA&ab_channel=reactionvids

On-topic, nice find with those box arts.

I remember seeing those. Electronics Boutique also sometimes had placeholder box art of games.

Hope the art is not alternate - that would be pretty hard on the eyes.

Interesting article though! Nice bit of uncovered history

Sonic is only looking at the Super Mario Bros. Movie cast list.

I feel like I’ve seen that Mario 64 box art before, don’t know why though

I actually remember seeing that particular Sonic artwork being used as the boxart for Sonic X-Treme as well!!

The Nights into Dreams box art makes the rest of what's there look cut rate. Good lord.

The Tomb Raider series had some alternate covers in these store ads as well.

That’s also not the USA cover for Nights into Dreams.

I think I got my n64 from Sears.

“Sonic is rounder, plumper and with eyes that appear to be staring right into our very soul. Yeah, we're pleased they changed that one.“

What? So does Mario and Crash Bandicoot with the “eyes staring to our souls”. ?

That Mario picture looks familiar, but I have never seen Sonic like that. I know it's an unpopular opinion, but I actually really like Sonic 3D Blast. Both soundtracks are actually really good, and although the controls are a little bit slippery nowadays it's still a cool concept I haven't seen another game like it.

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