What if we told you that instead of understanding the new console’s capabilities, you could just experience them? Because that’s precisely how all the best launch games work.
Launch titles are video games released on the same day as their consoles. They have one job – to assemble sales and hype the device’s name. By displaying all the new features of the upcoming system, they face extremely high expectations from the audience. Because on the release day, all bugs or improvements will be instantly detected by players and critics. And if something goes wrong, the console and the game will not have a bright future. History knows various successes and dramatic failures of launch games, so today, we collected the best selling gaming console titles in this one article.
From Pong to Halo: The Best-selling Gaming Console Launch Titles
Comparison of Launch Titles
Pong – Pong
Few know this legendary game came to life during the training of one of Atari’s novice employees – Allan Alcorn. Inspired by the Magnavox Odyssey game, Pong became instantly popular on arcade machines. Even despite a lawsuit against Atari.
It didn’t include good graphics – only black and white blocks imitating a table tennis experience. But thanks to the simple rules and high replayability, Pong became one of the most addictive titles ever and initiated the faster development of the video game industry. Immediately after the premiere, it brought four times more earnings than other arcade machines! Soon, many companies were inspired by this creation, releasing their own versions of Pong to save themselves from financial difficulties. Yes, Pong was visually modest but lives on to this day in various newer games and is an iconic feature used in many works of popular culture. It may contain some flaws, but it really doesn’t matter when you’re the first game destined to kick off an entire gaming industry.
Atari 2600 – Combat
It was one of the Atari 2600 launch titles, eerily similar to Coleco’s Telstar Combat. However, Combat had more gameplay variants and colorful audiovisuals.
This 1977 game offered 27 modes, so we can safely say there was no more replayable title. The gameplay focused on flying various planes, jets, and driving tanks – so it was like a simple version of today’s War Thunder.
The title collected praise for many game modes, adrenaline-fueled experience, and complex yet addictive rules. And it became so iconic that in 2001, Magic Lantern developed the remake.
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) – Super Mario Bros.
Included in every copy of the NES console, Super Mario Bros achieved such impressive sales that it entered the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive title sold at an online auction.
This simple platformer about the courageous plumber’s adventures conquered the hearts of players worldwide. Its gameplay focuses on directing the hero’s actions on his way to save Princess Peach, proceeding through increasingly challenging levels filled with obstacles. And that game is worth $6.8 trillion as Nintendo’s most recognizable brand.
The title received incredibly positive reviews and became so famous that all G2A followers and non-players know it. Mario also left a legacy of encouraging gaming industry development after the great video game crash in 1983, making it a real blessing to this world.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) – Super Mario World
Also known as Game of the Year 1991 and ‘the greatest game of all time.’ As an extra to the new console, Super Mario World became the best-selling game of its generation.
The original adventure of rescuing Princess Peach gave Mario new friends and some creative skills. But the core of the gameplay remained almost the same – innocent platforming fun with the famous soundtrack and graphics. Gathering only positive reviews, Mario for SNES became the definition of a perfect launch game.
Sega Genesis – Sonic the Hedgehog
Competing with Nintendo, Sega came up with the idea of its own mascot – a lovable blue pet now known as Sonic the Hedgehog.
Sonic was supposed to be all about crazy speed and a surprising gameplay pace. And it was, selling 24 million copies worldwide and becoming the best-selling home title of 1991. Critics praised its smooth animations, fast-paced gameplay, and colorful visuals. So much so that Sega Genesis outsold the SNES console and its legendary Mario.
Sony PlayStation – Ridge Racer
Originally running on arcade machines, Ridge Racer became a PS1 launch game in 1994. And it was one of the first titles to introduce 3D graphics!
Ridge Racer is a classic racing game where players choose one of the available cars and race to unlock even better vehicles. Fun fact – the console allowed you to use tracks from your own CDs for this game! Regarding graphics, the title looked much better on arcade machines, as it had to be downscaled to run on PS1. But overall, it was well received by critics, with two negative remarks concerning the lack of multiplayer and repetitive car capabilities.
Microsoft Xbox – Halo: Combat Evolved
Microsoft entered the gaming market with two aces up its sleeve – a strong console and an even more powerful game that became the killer application of this platform.
The gameplay and story of the first Halo were reasonably uncomplicated. The super-soldier Master Chief and the artificial intelligence Cortana fight against hordes of aliens trying to discover the secret of the ring-shaped object. Although its beginnings were quite challenging, the title became one of the most memorable 3D FPS recommendations. Players approached the new game and console with hesitation. But the risky move soon paid off, and Halo delivered one million units sold five months after its release.
The game received fantastic reviews, but there were also criticisms that the levels felt repetitive and boring. Nevertheless, the title and the console were successful in the long run to become the foundation for the entire Halo series.
Nintendo Switch – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This new adventure installation was a launch title for Nintendo Switch. And shortly after its release, it was known as the best game in the series aside from the legendary Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64.
Breath of the Wild introduced many improvements: an open world, a non-linear storyline, and unrestricted travel. It also got realistic physics, encouraging players to interact with elements of the breathtaking environment. Everyone wanted this game, so no wonder it won many epic awards. Breath of the Wild has also inspired other open-world games like Ghost of Tsushima, Elden Ring, Immortal: Fenyx Rising, and Forspoken.
Conclusion
Imagine getting a console without its launch game. Pretty confusing, right? You don’t understand what it’s capable of, don’t know its latest features, and everything feels wrong. Ordinary users need a launch game to learn a new device, as we don’t all use specs and tech terms in our daily lives. We need it to become part of the multiple voices that decide its fate. And if you miss playing the best launch video games from the past, find them on G2A.COM! All this means an excellent foundation for a discussion about the future and evolution of gaming because starting titles mark the essential changes in technological development. So feel free to share your favorite launch games and engage in this exciting conversation!
