What games do you think had some stunning art behind it?

[NintendoLegend]

For the 8-bit generation, I always thought the cutscenes of Ninja Gaiden raised the era to another level, while the actual gameplay of Kirby’s Adventure showed a whole new gorgeous world of gaming in its generational twilight. But “artistically,” though, I did not regard games until the two Zelda titles on Nintendo 64. In modern gaming, I agree with the Colossus and Okami mentions, of course. Good times.

[MrPopo]

No mention of Eternal Sonata? That game is one giant fest of scenery porn and uses colors this generation has tried very hard to make you forget ever existed.

[swiftzx]

I think Knights in the Nightmare looked amazing on ds.

[Croooow!]

For some reason the artwork in Majora's Mask really impressed me. The use of color was better than Ocarina of Time's and matched the atmosphere of the game very well.

[boltfanSD]

I think the Metroid Prime series has some amazing art direction. I'm playing through the original right now and based on visuals can't believe how well its held up. The attention to detail in every environment is amazing.

Also, as much as I love Shadow of the Colossus, I don't really consider it to be artistically stunning as far as visuals are concerned. I think it's more how the gameplay and storyline evoke an emotional response from the player that truly make it stand out as a work of art.

[BoringSupreez]

Those old Lucas Arts SCUMM adventure games had to have a lot of art behind them. All of the animations and scenery must have been hand-drawn before they were digitized.

[samsonlonghair]

The first game that came to mind was Comix Zone. The art and the music are both awesome in that game.

[Hazerd]

Mega Man X 1, 2 and 3
any Castlevania game
almost any NES and SNES box art to be honest.

[pakopako]

I also geek out at smooth animation. (Darkstalkers, Metal Storm... anything where you've hand-drawn a bunch of stuff repeatedly just so you can create the illusion of human movement beyond reproach.)

[J T]

Rock of Ages for taking you through various stages of art history