10 Most Iconic Video Game Ad Campaigns

The best way to get eyes on any product is through ads, and the video game industry is no different. While everything is mass-produced now and instantly accessible, there have been times in video game history where ads were intentionally vague. Not much was known about what we were even seeing or what kind of game we were going to get.

These were always the best ads. The intrigue, the mystery, the reveal. It was an art unto itself, and we’re going to discuss some of the best video game ad campaigns in history.

Our criteria will be campaigns that instantly got big-time attention, whether it be for games that would become huge or ones that would disappear just as fast.

10. Super Smash Bros.

So Happy Together

Super Smash Bros was a watershed moment in gaming, and it all started with this incredible commercial that told you the party gaming landscape was about to become a thing.

The hilarious image of these iconic characters prancing along until they just start beating the hell out of each other is genius, and the quick cuts to the actual gameplay tells the players watching that this isn’t just a spoof, but a full-fledged video game that will let us play as our favorite characters in a true slugfest.

We don’t get clever game ads like this too often anymore, and this is one that sticks with us over two decades later.

9. Dante’s Inferno

Go To Hell

Despite not revolutionizing the video game industry with Dante’s Inferno, they still managed to run a remarkably effective advertising campaign.

Back in 2010, while I was in college, a particular commercial played incessantly, capturing my curiosity every time it came on.

The soulful tune, “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers, imbues a powerful ambiance into the advertisement, adding a sense of desolation to the character of Dante, visibly descending into the depths of his own personal inferno.

In this advertisement, there’s no actual gameplay shown, but you can easily understand what kind of game it is: Dante is journeying to Hell in search of his love, encountering a variety of different demons along the way.

It’s just 30 seconds, but it sets a mood and an atmosphere that was impossible not to notice. It also didn’t hurt that this ad was played during the Super Bowl. The game itself was also a solid, God of War meets Devil May Cry action romp that deserves a bit more love than it got.

8. Lost Odyssey

The Old Becomes New

Lost Odyssey is the forgotten gem of the JRPG golden era, but it had one hell of a debut. With a 1:30-second commercial, Lost Odyssey burst onto the scene as the immediate “next big thing” for anyone that was a fan of Square Enix at the time.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but admit that when I saw that captivating advertisement, I knew right away it wasn’t from Square Enix, but rather the talented folks at Mistwalker. They truly understood their audience and delivered a stunning commercial that left me in awe.

One of the key parts of the ad campaign was the use of “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane.

I had never heard the song before this commercial, and immediately, it grips you to the screen and builds to the song’s thrilling finale, which coincides with all kinds of JRPG goodness flashing across the screen.

At that moment, you’re unsure about the specific type of game, yet you sense its grandeur and crave it. This advertisement achieved exactly what was required, capturing your desire flawlessly.

7. Call of Duty: Black Ops

Soldier In All Of Us

The original Call of Duty: Black Ops was the start of a new chapter of the already wildly successful mega-franchise, and while the talk of “the same thing over and over” would echo throughout the internet halls, the machine kept churning.

An aspect that generated excitement about the new game was a sensational advertisement showcasing famous personalities, such as Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Kimmel, among others.

It managed to do something that is certainly not easy to do these days and that is make war funny. It showed normal people and celebrities picking up machine guns and blowing up helicopters, and it all culminates with the iconic chef at the end dual wielding pistols and reloading as the phrase “There’s a soldier in all of us” appears.

Just like that, whoever saw that commercial that owned or knew someone with a video game console was in. It also had “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones playing over it, which, according to media history, automatically makes something awesome.

6. Kingdom Hearts

A Team-Up For The Ages

Promoting a game like Kingdom Hearts would have been quite challenging, as it appeals to two distinct audiences: those who are fans of Disney and those who are fond of Final Fantasy. You’d need an advertisement that caters to both groups while maintaining the unique blend that makes the game special.

In the early 2000s, they were both at the pinnacle of their careers, but surprisingly, they still excelled in making a remarkable commercial together.

The song playing immediately gives the feeling that this won’t be as kid-friendly as it seems, so that gets the Final Fantasy fans stirring. Then, the Disney characters start appearing, and you can see how the Disney fans got hooked.

As the suspenseful climax unfolds, I couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down my spine as ominous Ansem made his appearance. Despite all the signals my gaming instincts were sending me, I knew that hidden within this captivating game was a magical experience just waiting to be discovered.

5. SONY

Long Live Play

This commercial was brilliant in its simplicity. It’s all the iconic SONY characters you can imagine hanging out in a bar.

Characters ranging from Solid Snake to Nathan Drake, and everyone else, discuss their shared experiences and past events.

It isn’t obvious where the conversation is heading until the finale, when it transpires they were referring to the player all along.

There is incredible voice acting throughout the commercial too, bringing your favorite characters to life, and it’s a funny but charming tribute to the player who has taken the adventures with all of these icons.

4. Metal Gear Solid

Gaming Cinema Is Born

Metal Gear Solid is a highly acclaimed video game series that gained its fame largely due to the success of this advertisement.

In 1998, games lacked the visual appeal and sophistication that we see today, and they didn’t exude the degree of maturity as they do now.

Back then, when that show aired on TV during Dragonball Z episodes, it seemed like a video game to me. And I recall wondering, “What is this, and why don’t I own a PlayStation already?

This product was an absolute game-changer, captivating the imagination of countless gamers, and it’s the reason we continue to be devoted fans up until now.

3. Xbox

Life’s Short, Play More

As Xbox entered the market, Nintendo and Sony had already established themselves as leaders. To make an impact with its fresh console, Microsoft crafted this advertisement that defined its approach.

It shows a baby being born then being flung through time, aging, naked until he lands as an old man in the grave. It’s hilarious, disturbing, and compelling all in one.

It showcased an attitude from Xbox that would define them as the champions of their era, and this commercial, being one of the first viral commercials in a pre-Youtube era, was a big reason why.

2. Nintendo Wii

We Would Like To Play

The Nintendo Wii was a breakthrough moment in gaming. It brought us off our couches and actually required some hand-eye coordination and athletic ability to play video games for the first time ever.

This ad campaign was a perfect way to jump into the era of the Wii. It was weird, awkward, and then incredibly engaging.

As a gamer, I can tell you that experiencing the Wii was like stepping into a new era of interactive entertainment. That commercial truly encapsulated a revolution in gaming, one that continues to resonate powerfully in our current virtual reality scene.

1. Gears of War

Mad World

In simpler terms, “Gears of War” was released in 2006 and provided Xbox with a highly successful game, often referred to as a “system seller.” Regardless of what you choose to label it, the game is widely considered exceptional within its series, with numerous positive accolades.

The way it initially gained hype was through this incredible commercial, with Gary Jule’s cover of Mad World playing in the background, setting a melancholy tone as you see the devastation of the Locusts amidst the struggle of humanity.

The experience is both heart-stoppingly intimate and nerve-wracking, yet somehow manages to be solemn and exhilarating all at once. It perfectly encapsulates every emotion that the series was intended to evoke, doing so with remarkable accuracy.

Back when the commercial first came out, I clearly recall the striking scene where Marcus met the massive Locust towards its conclusion.

It’s all any of my friends could talk about after we saw it, and that feeling was shared by tons of gamers around the world.

It truly was the greatest video game commercial ever, and everything since has yet to reach its heights.

2025-03-18 16:51