Best Video Game Launch Trailers in History
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VOICE OVER: Adrian Sousa
WRITTEN BY: Caitlin Johnson
Welcome to MojoPlays! Today, we're looking at the best video game launch trailers of all time. For this list we're only looking at launch trailers, the ones used to promote a game upon its release, rather than any other kind of trailer like teaser trailers or announcements.
Welcome to MojoPlays! Today, we’re looking at the best video game launch trailers of all time.
For this list we’re only looking at launch trailers, the ones used to promote a game upon its release, rather than any other kind of trailer like teaser trailers or announcements.
“Mortal Kombat 11” (2019)
Just 3 simple words threw our hype into the stratosphere for Mortal Kombat 11. The game had received a lot of quality trailers since it’s announcement but some fans were constantly upset by the choice of songs, with a feeling like they didn’t fit Mortal Kombat. But ‘Techno Syndrome’ the theme song to the 1995 “Mortal Kombat” film? The blast of nostalgia had us screaming “Take my money” … oh, and of course followed by “MORTAL KOMBAAAAAAT!”. It wasn’t just the choice of song that had us hyped, the visceral attacks of the kombatants were perfectly synced up with the beat, making this a trailer we’d want to watch again and again … and again.
“Halo 3: ODST” (2009)
Live action trailers can be hit or miss, but humanizing the ODST operatives by letting us learn about who they are, what they go through, and just wait it takes to become an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper was a great way to get people invested. With many similarities to army recruitment ads, we see a young man enlist and are with him every step of the way through brutal training, bonding with his teammates, and finally a battle against the Covenant. Seeing these otherwise untouchable troops remove their helmets and grieve for their fallen makes you feel like you’re really a part of this intergalactic effort to save the world.
“The Last of Us” (2013)
It was impossible not to be excited about Naughty Dog’s next big IP, and when “The Last of Us” hit shelves it did just as well as expected. The launch trailer set the stage for Joel & Ellie, with Joel’s role as her protector, and the franchise’s unique fungal take on the zombie virus. It also sets up that other humans will be a threat perhaps even more violent than the undead hoards. And like this trailer couldn’t get any better, halfway through the music picks up hugely, setting the stage for the game’s celebrated score. But of course what’s really on display here are the gorgeous graphics, which at the time were easily some of the best ever seen on consoles.
“BioShock” (2007)
This trailer use of Bobby Darin’s “Beyond the Sea” gets us hooked right off the bat, as we see Rapture in its neon entirety nestled on the seafloor. If that wasn’t enough to get you hooked, it moves on rapidly to introducing the game’s core gameplay elements, while keeping actual plot details intriguing and aloof. Almost as soon as we see the city we see a Big Daddy taking down the POV character and then a creepy Little Sister comes out from the shadows. Thrown across the Rapture Metro station a spider splicer crawls into view and then we get our first look at plasmids, seeing early versions of Winter Blast and Telekinesis.
“Battlefield: Bad Company” (2008)
“Call of Duty” with a sense of humor, the “Bad Company” trailer starts by introducing us to a team of elite, tactical operatives – before pulling a bait and switch and saying actually, unlike every other blockbuster shooter on the market, this one isn’t about seasoned pros at all. It’s always good to be able to laugh at yourself and not take things too seriously, which DICE definitely managed with this trailer. To top it off, the game itself was outstanding and just as hilarious and ridiculous as the launch trailer promised it would be. Hey EA, it’s high time Marlowe, Redford, Sweetwater and Haggard get the comeback they deserve.
“Grand Theft Auto IV” (2008)
With every entry, “GTA” just gets bigger and better; and despite its sometimes-divisive realism, “GTA IV” still delivered on the series’ promises. Bringing us back to Liberty City in force, we immediately meet Niko and Roman Bellic – though for the rest of the trailer they play second-fiddle to the setting and many of its large set pieces. We may see snippets of lots of the game’s most important secondary characters, including Brucie and Playboy X, but we also see yellow cabs, huge bridges, skyscrapers, and plenty of neon signs. Rockstar’s version of New York was finally in HD, and if showing this and some of the game’s most explosive moments didn’t make you run out and buy it, nothing will.
“Gears of War” (2006)
One of the biggest gaming franchises of all time was launched with this unique and melancholic trailer. This was the world’s first look at Epic’s new over-the-shoulder shooter, and the tonal difference between the “Gears” trailer and similar ones for rival AAA titles instantly made it a system seller. The use of the famous Gary Jules cover of “Mad World” – now much more familiar to the ear than the Tears For Fears original – made the trailer memorable and impressive. And we don’t just see a slew of soldier characters, either – there are plenty of scenes introducing the Locusts and the devastated planet they’re all fighting
For this list we’re only looking at launch trailers, the ones used to promote a game upon its release, rather than any other kind of trailer like teaser trailers or announcements.
“Mortal Kombat 11” (2019)
Just 3 simple words threw our hype into the stratosphere for Mortal Kombat 11. The game had received a lot of quality trailers since it’s announcement but some fans were constantly upset by the choice of songs, with a feeling like they didn’t fit Mortal Kombat. But ‘Techno Syndrome’ the theme song to the 1995 “Mortal Kombat” film? The blast of nostalgia had us screaming “Take my money” … oh, and of course followed by “MORTAL KOMBAAAAAAT!”. It wasn’t just the choice of song that had us hyped, the visceral attacks of the kombatants were perfectly synced up with the beat, making this a trailer we’d want to watch again and again … and again.
“Halo 3: ODST” (2009)
Live action trailers can be hit or miss, but humanizing the ODST operatives by letting us learn about who they are, what they go through, and just wait it takes to become an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper was a great way to get people invested. With many similarities to army recruitment ads, we see a young man enlist and are with him every step of the way through brutal training, bonding with his teammates, and finally a battle against the Covenant. Seeing these otherwise untouchable troops remove their helmets and grieve for their fallen makes you feel like you’re really a part of this intergalactic effort to save the world.
“The Last of Us” (2013)
It was impossible not to be excited about Naughty Dog’s next big IP, and when “The Last of Us” hit shelves it did just as well as expected. The launch trailer set the stage for Joel & Ellie, with Joel’s role as her protector, and the franchise’s unique fungal take on the zombie virus. It also sets up that other humans will be a threat perhaps even more violent than the undead hoards. And like this trailer couldn’t get any better, halfway through the music picks up hugely, setting the stage for the game’s celebrated score. But of course what’s really on display here are the gorgeous graphics, which at the time were easily some of the best ever seen on consoles.
“BioShock” (2007)
This trailer use of Bobby Darin’s “Beyond the Sea” gets us hooked right off the bat, as we see Rapture in its neon entirety nestled on the seafloor. If that wasn’t enough to get you hooked, it moves on rapidly to introducing the game’s core gameplay elements, while keeping actual plot details intriguing and aloof. Almost as soon as we see the city we see a Big Daddy taking down the POV character and then a creepy Little Sister comes out from the shadows. Thrown across the Rapture Metro station a spider splicer crawls into view and then we get our first look at plasmids, seeing early versions of Winter Blast and Telekinesis.
“Battlefield: Bad Company” (2008)
“Call of Duty” with a sense of humor, the “Bad Company” trailer starts by introducing us to a team of elite, tactical operatives – before pulling a bait and switch and saying actually, unlike every other blockbuster shooter on the market, this one isn’t about seasoned pros at all. It’s always good to be able to laugh at yourself and not take things too seriously, which DICE definitely managed with this trailer. To top it off, the game itself was outstanding and just as hilarious and ridiculous as the launch trailer promised it would be. Hey EA, it’s high time Marlowe, Redford, Sweetwater and Haggard get the comeback they deserve.
“Grand Theft Auto IV” (2008)
With every entry, “GTA” just gets bigger and better; and despite its sometimes-divisive realism, “GTA IV” still delivered on the series’ promises. Bringing us back to Liberty City in force, we immediately meet Niko and Roman Bellic – though for the rest of the trailer they play second-fiddle to the setting and many of its large set pieces. We may see snippets of lots of the game’s most important secondary characters, including Brucie and Playboy X, but we also see yellow cabs, huge bridges, skyscrapers, and plenty of neon signs. Rockstar’s version of New York was finally in HD, and if showing this and some of the game’s most explosive moments didn’t make you run out and buy it, nothing will.
“Gears of War” (2006)
One of the biggest gaming franchises of all time was launched with this unique and melancholic trailer. This was the world’s first look at Epic’s new over-the-shoulder shooter, and the tonal difference between the “Gears” trailer and similar ones for rival AAA titles instantly made it a system seller. The use of the famous Gary Jules cover of “Mad World” – now much more familiar to the ear than the Tears For Fears original – made the trailer memorable and impressive. And we don’t just see a slew of soldier characters, either – there are plenty of scenes introducing the Locusts and the devastated planet they’re all fighting
