The dreaded commercial, they always interrupt our favorite TV shows at the worst of times. It doesn’t matter how hard we try to avoid them, we are inevitably doomed to watch commercials. However through our many hours spent watching commercials there are little gems that we will always remember, and gaming commercials are no different. Advertising is critical, and necessary if a game is to sell well.
As a tribute here is the Koku Gamer Top 10 Gaming Commercials.
10. Tekken 4
I am a massive Tekken fan, it’s one of my favorite franchises of all time. There weren’t a lot of commercials, but this one was a laugh. For fans of the series it was perhaps more appealing, for others it was a good laugh.
9. Xbox 360
I don’t know whether it was because I loved this song as a kid or because I enjoy full scale water fights on hot summer days/nights, but whatever it was I liked this commercial. It was symbolic of everyone jumping in and having fun, which over 30 million people have. The 360 is a major success this gen, and it was advertised brilliantly.
8. Nintendo 64
Though I can’t see it, many of my friends and family picture me being like these 2 old men. While I hope I don’t dress like them I certainly can see myself playing video games for a long time yet. I wasn’t too sure whether to include this one, but the fact that it included the Nintendo 64 snags it a spot in the Top 10.
7. Gran Turismo 3: Nail Clippers
It’s not often we get to see Japanese commercials, but this one is definitely worthy of mention. Gran Turismo 3 was at it’s time the most amazing game graphically; and one of the most memorable titles ever. A game of this caliber deserves good advertising, and while it may not have been to everyone’s taste it was advertised well the world over. The Japanese adverts were my personal favorite.
6. Prototype: Gamespot Commercial
Always good for a laugh, the hype surrounding Prototype was massive. From footage seen and the adverts played Prototype looked to be a great game. Unfortunately it was a let down for most people, but this is proof that good advertising can help a game. Good game, great commercial.
5. Playstation 2
I never quite understood why Sony insisted on “The Third Place†in their adverts, I wondered if it was a prediction of where the Playstation 3 would be right now (don’t worry Sony fanboys I’m kidding.) Anyway David Lynch directed this one, and the fact that a deer wrecks a car and walks away unscathed was awesome. The Playstation 2 changed the face of gaming, and is the greatest console ever made thus far. With an abundance of commercials, this was the one I liked most.
4. World Of Warcraft: Mr T
It’s unfortunate we never got to see more of this commercial, because I like it far more than the Ozzy Osbourne commercial. Though I was never a fan of WoW I enjoyed this advert everytime it came on. Mr T hack games? I’d like to see that!!! Any of the WoW adverts could have made it, but I think Mr T beats them out, and snatches the number 4 spot.
3. Halo 3: Believe
I don’t like Halo, never have and more than likely never will. I can’t deny that Halo is a successful franchise and has amazing advertising. This commercial so very nearly persuaded me to play Halo 3 all those years ago. The first 2 games were advertised brilliantly, but none of the previous adverts got my attention quite like this one.
2. Gears Of War: Mad World
There was just one word to describe Gears Of War when it first came out: EPIC. And when I watched this commercial it increased my interest in the franchise and the Xbox 360 significantly. Music can be the difference between good and great, and the song selection for this advert was perfect. This was close to being the number 1, and earns the number 2 spot on our list.
1. Assassins Creed
It isn’t very often a gaming commercial truly grabs my attention and blows me away, but this one did. Not only is “Teardrop†one of my favorite songs, I thought it could never be used in a commercial successfully. This one proved me wrong. Assassins Creed was a great game that had fantastic advertising. With the sequel coming out I can’t wait to see what advertising they do for it, and of course see the game in action. If the first is anything to go by it should be good on both counts.
Have you ever had a gaming commercial take your breath away? Please share with us. No registration required to post.
