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.
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It’s “Tear Drops on Fire”? I always thought it was just “Teardrop” by Massive Attack.
Gears of War 2′s advert would have actually been number one on my personal list, with Gears of War’s ad being number two. Assassins Creed wouldn’t be in my top ten (despite the fact that I love that “Teardrop” song).
Where’s the new ODST commercial?
I can’t beeive they didn’t include the infamous banned xbox ad “Life is Short”
You forgot ODST New comercial
its Teardrop from Massive Attack
New ODST Commercial, and also the Xbox Banned commercial in Eurpoe where they all shoot guns that are actually their hands…i would have replaced that commercial with the balloon 1.
DEF ODST COMMERCIAL!!!
They didnt forget it…it wasnt worth mentioning! a bit like the game itself YAWN!!
Guys, the brilliant ODST spot that you’re talking about is classified as a short film. At least the full version is. The version that they push on TV is cut up, and doesn’t offer the fantastic battle/drop sequence.
@nateXL
ODST is forgettable? Alright then, guess you must not like extremely visceral, atmospheric experiences that exhibit the utmost quality…
And what about Mirrors Edge? The song is killer!
@Dude
Now there’s a commercial that blew me away. While the game was a bit of a letdown for me (not completely, just a bit), Still Alive is a great song.
i have a few the xbox 360 one with all of them pretending to shoot each other (cant remember name)
the tiger woods real live “Jesus shot” its awesome
even tho they are short films to some landfall (halo 3 add) and the odst one
i think there was this epic legend of zelda one aswell idk if it was fake or not tho
and along with a prev comment mirrors edge still alive song is awesome i never seen a trailer for the game tho
What about Contra: Shattered Soldier? Best commercial EVAR. Still makes me laugh to this day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QgP5nhCp2c
The awkward silence… hilarious.
really? no ratchet and clank commercials?
hmmm.
@ dylan S so what kind of games u been playing to say that odst gives you all those things? u been trying to complete doom since its release but got bored of trying so any halo game was the easy option?
have fun playing with your $60 expansion pack
Gears of War should be number one.
Jak II or III should be on there also.
Assassin’s Creed though? Really? I love “Teardrop”…especially since House is amazing…lols…but seriously?
No.
No ballet of death from KZ2 is also a fail. What the heck?
Battle Tanks for the N64! Snuggles the bear gets jacked up!
They have part 1 & part 2
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HXGIFPxbtk
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRybLvgEcso&feature=related
good list though i would have had the xbox add where you guy is born and shot out of the mother and flys through the sky while growing up then lands in a grave and or the Wii Adverts with the redknapps lol just funny as its bad acting
killzone 2 commercial is also frekin awesome
@nateXL
My $60 expansion pack with a solid 7-8 hour campaign (standard fare for a shooter), an extremely fun new multiplayer mode in Firefight, as well as EVERY Halo 3 map, plus 3 more. It’s about as long as Halo 3 in the campaign, and has more multiplayer features. So it has more content. And it’s an expansion pack? Your definitions amuse me.
well looky here another Xbot who is getting all pissy because someone doesnt like anything from the halo series!!! OMG!!! the visual presentation is average as in the game play, they are just milking you and every other Xbot for another $60 for something that took them a few months to throw together.
they didnt even bother trying to polish this turd.
Super easy and I can’t believe you missed it. The Smash Bros 64 commercial is the best gaming commercial ever!
Wow no way dude major cool!
RT
http://www.privacy-web.pro.tc
assassin creed was terrible
I think the other Halo 3 ad with the veteran remembering his encounter with the Master Chief was awesome also. Worth an honorable mention if anything.
Gotta add Gears of War 2 to this list.
World in Conflict… BEST Trailer EVER…
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-gc-world-in/23744
The old Japanese commercial for “Zelda: A Link to the Past” HAS to be added to this list!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90ES9XnZrhY
No1 assasins creed ?? Really ??
Mad World
Halo ODST
Halo 3 Believe
Gears 2
Gear 2 rendesvouz should all be in the top 10. Theyre the only commercials that look like they were made with Hollywood level thought and care.All have great song choice and capture some of the motion of the game. ((frankly may have more emotion than the actual games))
The humor and wit ones are always great. But Mad World is far and away no. 1 assasins creed being no.1 is just silly.
The ms one with the guns is great surprised its not here.
Agree with the guy that mentioned super smash bros commercial is the best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K783SDTBKmg
Gears of War 2
Super Smash Bros.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A0DcI25QPQ
What? No mention of the Office Space/WOW commercial?
How about the Mortal Kombat commercial where the kid stands in an empty city and yells “MORTAL KOMBAT!” and a stampede of kids come running!
You don’t have to wait to see advertising videos for Assasins Creed II.
There is one out already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a12e3iKzqlw&hd=1
Although I don’t know if it was an official commercial, that banned XBox commercial- although I guess this doesn’t count cuz it’s not for an actual game, but still an epic commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRt0s_BJEyo
What about the original Smash Brothers commercial!?!?!?!?!?
ODST commercial beats all of those.
Any credibility you had writing this article went out the door when you wrote: “Assassins Creed was a great game…” It wasn’t.
This list is terrible. It’s like you listed them in order of how much you liked the background music. Please do some research for your next article. Any legitimate list would have included this commercial for Golden Sun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOvwdVp8Fvo
What about this xbox one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu8456pVSLI
The link below is the most epic game commercial of all time and would be #1 on any “best commercial” lists. In fact, SMB3 was so epic there was no need to even show any gameplay footage!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrATmeFoJPE
You put that Assassin’s Creed commercial over the GoW Mad World commercial simply because you like Teardrop? Seriously?
Teardrop was good, but it wasn’t the Mad World commercial. That commercial alone made me go out and buy a 360 just so I could play Gears of War. The song fit what was going on in the short perfectly. It absolutely communicated the entire theme of the game. The dark rain, the melancholy music, the hopelessness of the world. It was all there, perfectly.
The best part? I saw it in a movie theater. It was utterly epic. When it was all done, I turned to the people next to me and said, ‘I’m buying a 360 and I’m getting that game.’
BioShock, I loved that commercial.
@nateXL
I own every system. Uncharted is my favorite game made this gen…
You’re just being ridiculous, and your accusations of fanboyism are hilariously undermined by the fact that you’re being a fanboy yourself. As in, hating anything to do with Microsoft. The visuals are a HUGE step up from Halo 3. If you had any knowledge of the technical aspects of games (which, as a Game Design student, I do), you’d realize just how blatantly ignorant and unfounded your comments are. You would also realize that it doesn’t take a mere few months to make a game.
And you ignored the fact that my point about ODST having more content (therefore justifying it as a full game, not just an expansion), was totally true. Way to lose yourself an argument.
Not sure if it qualifies as ‘best’, but definitely one of the most unique:
i am the wolfman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKl8BM4bwkA
N64 Christmas commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9GmpVh1zFQ
Why aren’t the Halo 3 commercials “Starry Night” and “We are ODST” on this list. Both are better than “Believe”
Hey Dylan S, you are right with most of the things you are saying about ODST, but it is an expansion pack. When half of the product is already available through another game, it’s hard to justify otherwise.
The list was good, though it could of used some older games since most of the commercials were for games on current-gen systems.
This commercial was the shit back in the day for FF7:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXHVb1wn8vo&feature=related
Double post time: pretty much the entire halo 3 ad campaign was better than that assassins creed commercial.
and what about the playstation commercial with the kids mom banging on the door? Or the FF7 one before the game was released? AVP anyone? Most of these blow…WOW prototype? the commercials were not even hard to think of or took talent to do….seriously missed the mark…
The first few socom commercials were hilarious,.. the one with the seals playing a against couple random kids and the one where the kids just jumping around shooting the wall as hes watching these girls in bikinis outside lol
@ST
I would agree with you to a degree, but look at Half-Life 2: Orange Box. $60 purchase for an older PC game rereleased, a couple of 3-4 hour episodes, and a puzzle game.
@dylan s, oh so your a student lmao, get it right fella i been working in the games industry for the past 5 years as a graphic artist and 3d modeller and i think that trumps your “im a student na na na na” you kids crack me up.
you just lost your own argument agreeing with ST that its an expansion pack so go get laid and loosen up a little bit, oh and im not a fanboy because i judge a game as a game no matter what system or who made it.
good luck with that game design diploma kid, your going to need it.
Maybe I’m too old by now, but I was blown away by the Super Mario Bros. 3 commercial that panned out from a group of people in different colored outfits to show mario. It was great! Was it from 1989?
nateXL: get off your high horse. Your comments make you sound like a big, tough 14 year old. You’ve been working for the past 5 years as a graphic artist and 3d modeler? Sure you have.
@nateXL
Alright “fella”, then you wouldn’t mind proving it. Based on the maturity of your responses (for example, telling me to get laid in an effort to divert the real argument here? Talk about juvenile), you’ll forgive me for thinking your stretching the truth a bit.
And, if you judge a game as a game, why is your main qualm with it that you think it’s an expansion. How does that effect the gameplay?
Finally, I said I agreed with ST to a degree. I never stated what that degree was.
talking of degrees? wheres yours? oh wait you dont have it yet?
STOP BEING A JUMPED UP KNOW IT ALL LITTLE BITCH AND GROW UP
oh and also what am i supposed to be proving?
@ whocares, believe what you want my friend but how old are you exactly?
Never said anything about degrees. Let’s see some of your work. And I’m not the one calling someone a “jumped up know it all little bitch”. That sort of stuff is reserved for freshman year of high school, at most.
some good choices in there.
but the lack of Majoras Mask commercials makes the list an auto fail.
greatest add campaign ever.
What about the Battlefield: Bad Company commercial titled “Bad World” that spoofed the Gears of War TV spot?
I thought the gears of war 2 with the devotchka song was really good also, I didn’t really get why assassin’s creed was 1, but I guess it was amazing to see that sorta stuff back then?
I disagree , Assassin’s shouldn’t be number 1. maybe believe or mad world
i think the list is pretty good. What you guys have to realise is that not everyone is gonna agree. I think the banned xbox add where ppl are shooting each other with there hands. But i aint saying this list fails you all need to get a grip
The new Halo ODST advert is amazing.
Halo 3 Superbowl Commercial
Dont know if it was ever a TV spot but the Street fighter IV trailer is one of the best ive ever seen.
what about dead or alive 3′s comercial, the guy going “she kicks high” was awesome.
@NateXL: It’s irrelevant how old I am. I’m old enough to not act like an immature troll or an Internet tough guy. You seem intent on trying to swing around your e-peen, so I find it very difficult to believe that anyone would hire you in the game industry or anywhere else for that matter.
Gears of war had the biggest impact of any of them. People who didn’t know anything about it, knew everything the next day because they were like wtf great commercial and googled info. It also put mad world on top of the charts along with helping Donnie Darko sales. That commercial helped out 3 different forms of media at the same time significantly. Hell every time I would hear mad world on the tv, I would walk in the living room and watch the commercial. Same thing with Assassin’s creed, but I would be what the hell this isn’t House, why is this commercial using that song. GOW used a very good song that a lot of people didn’t know. Assassins creed used the House song. No one talked about it saying OMG did you see that assassin commercial with the house music. On the other hand with GOW, you had people playing that song all the time, talking about the commercial they heard it from, sparking a conversation about the game. I don’t own a 360, and didn’t care much for the game itself, and even knew it was prolly gonna be sub par on the PC. BUT I bought it anyways because of that fucking commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a12e3iKzqlw
It’s a trailer but whatever.
The Mass Effect Trailer and the Rainbow Six 3 trailers were great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NySUxMmiXY
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaOefLX9fHA
http://www.matudagames.com/cubme/
The next trailer that will come =D
I was kinda hoping to see the original super smash brothers ad
I know its a shit game.
But halo ODST’s ‘live action’ trailer kicked ass.
http://au.xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/852871/bungie-project-2/videos/haloodst_liveaction_trl_090409.html;jsessionid=1ldjrqw82h68i
So… you got paid by ubisoft?
Culture Advanced for GameBoy Advance, a long time ago
Hmm… “The Witcher”, “The Witcher” and… “The Witcher”… great gametrailer. Nuff said.
god this list sucks, the titles are great games but, most of these commercials are games for next gen consoles. wheres the good stuff like the super smash bros commercial, or how about the SAPS commercial for playstation? they poked fun at themselves for laughs. i liked the cops and robbers 360 commercial, and the odst commercial.
to be honest with this list, gears of war 2 should have been on there. i dont own an xbox, and never played gears of war, but that “last day” commercial made me say “hmm…. this is really interesting!”
AC2 commercial with Justice’s Genesis definitely would take the #1 spot if now. GoW1 still 2nd en Halo3 still 3rd.