Video game trailers are surely one of the most - if not the most - important things to get right when launching a new video game. They say first impressions are everything; so if you don't knock it out of the park with the trailer for your latest game - what are you even doing?

We've come a long way from the cheesy video game trailers of the past and now video game trailers can be great showcases for the games they're advertising, from tongue-in-cheek, playful ones that seem to understand their target audience, to the epic blockbuster-style trailers that would give most Hollywood movies a run for their money.

A good trailer can build hype regardless of the final games quality and perhaps even set expectations that the final game could struggle to reach, but at the end of the day, all gamers appreciate a great trailer.

When I think of truly great video game trailers, there are two specific ones that I am always reminded of and that I personally consider two of the greatest.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017 Trailer

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During Nintendo's long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2017 reveal event viewers were treated to the ever-great "one more thing" before the event drew to a close and Nintendo dropped the first proper story trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

With its swelling orchestral score and perfectly paced, climactic editing that gave us our best look at the game yet, the trailer wowed audiences and reached a 27M view count on YouTube with over 434K likes and was no doubt responsible for a swathe of Switch pre-orders.

Sonic Mania Pre-Order Trailer

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The hype leading up to Sonic Mania's release was truly unique as SEGA was riding high on the goodwill created by handing over development of a proper successor to the original 2D Sonic games to a handful of devoted and talented fans - people that audiences knew could be trusted to do things right.

The Sonic Mania pre-order trailer is particularly special with its beautiful hand drawn animation and music that manages to tug just right at the heartstrings. With an excellent build-up of gameplay timed to the beat of the music and some nostalgic nods - this trailer truly did everything right and further proved that the team behind it knew exactly what they were doing.

What are your favourite video game trailers?

Let us know below and be sure to tell us why!

 

[Marc_LFD]

Love this one:

 

[KingBlank]

FFXIV ARR

 

[LeNoobio]

 

[LuigiPT]

It's hard to pick one of the cinematic trailers of Assassin's Creed, but the Unity one was breathtaking and still holds up pretty well nowadays. Definitely made me hype for the game at the time!

 

[slaphappygamer]

As long as it actually has gameplay, that is my favorite. I love seeing actual gameplay, since that’ll be what I’m looking at most.

 

[eyeliner]

Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars

 

[tommasi]

Gametrailers.com was the best game trailer lol

 

[CoolMe]

You posted a screenshot from one of the best trailers of all time (OF ALL TIME!) and then didn't talk about it. Dead Island's trailer was a cinematic masterpiece.

That reminds of Dead Island 2 reveal trailer.. 8 years later and the game is finally going to be released.

 

[pustal]

It's hard to pick one of the cinematic trailers of Assassin's Creed, but the Unity one was breathtaking and still holds up pretty well nowadays. Definitely made me hype for the game at the time!

I think the Woodkid one nailed it better:


They also basically launched Imagine Dragons with AC3

 

[The Frenchman]

If a trailer ever got you pumped up for a game and a console, it's this one!

 

[draftguy]

 

[NewLoveMachine]

Metal Gear Solid 5 Phantom Pain Red Band Trailer



Not counting middle section of gameplay (03:53-04:53), it's a masterpiece

I was hoping someone would post this one. Kojima managed to create a better story narrative using cobbled together cutscenes than the base game could ever attempt. Although MGSV is incomplete and lacks a fleshed out story it's still an amazing game.

 

[Noctosphere]

 

[LuigiPT]

I was hoping someone would post this one. Kojima managed to create a better story narrative using cobbled together cutscenes than the base game could ever attempt. Although MGSV is incomplete and lacks a fleshed out story it's still an amazing game.

Right, Kojima does produce some of the most awesome trailers. Death Stranding Director's Cut Final trailer has a good mix of gameplay and cutscenes, no cinematic and it's marvelous edited by Kojima!

 

[orangy57]

this intro was my only exposure to the game until I finally got it as a gift years later in 2012. Playing this with my friends and siblings was a ton of fun, I'd still take Left 4 Dead over CoD zombies anyday

also the version of Country Roads in the Fallout 76 trailer is so goddamn good it's such a shame that the game sucked

 

[flamesofdoom]

 

[ChiefReginod]

If it counts... The Wizard (1989). It's basically a long, drawn out trailer for Super Mario 3. It came out a few months before the NA game release but features it prominently.

 

[W9qI8k5QMf]

already posted on the first post, but ya, it is indeed the best:

 

[GoldenBullet]

Say what you want about the sequel, this teaser will always live rent free in my mind for how much it hyped it up. Looking back, it really encompassed the entire game without spoiling it.



And of course, all of the OG Call of Duty trailers are very nostalgic of a simpler time



Edit: How could I forget this reveal

 

[TerrorPeter]

Epic, still get gossebumps from this trailer: