In honor of one of the most badass trailers in recent memory being released this week in Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption, we thought it'd be a nice trip down memory lane to recall some of the most satisfying trailers the gaming world has ever seen. Sure, it's only in recent years that most trailers have taken on an intensely cinematic quality to them, but there's something about a wonderfully selected montage of words and images that just makes us go six to midnight.
To kick things off, coming in at #10, is none other than our list's inspiration:
10. Red Dead Redemption (My Name is John Marston)
It's so good, that only days after its release it makes it onto a top 10 list. For real, this is a Western as only Rockstar could do it. It seems after many attempts, the video game world might just see a Western-style game experience that is actually fun to play. From the trailer, it seems that Rockstar is very much going for the Quentin Tarantino kung-fu fueled style of spaghetti western, ridiculously awesome music and all. Unlike most of the other games on this list, I can't comment on how accurately this well put together trailer represented the end product, but there's no way you'd be able to cut together a trailer this sweet from a game that's complete crap.
9. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Trailer 1)
Everyone loved Grand Theft Auto III. As stale as the open world sandbox games have become for me, there's no question that GTAIII was a gaming revolution. That's why when this first trailer hit for Vice City, featuring Kool and the Gang, florescent colors, palm trees and a lead character that was suspiciously similar to Sonny Crockett, 80's culture hounds stood up and cheered! Not only could you snort coke and bang hookers, but you could do it in the 1980's. In all seriousness, this trailer pumped us up for the killer soundtrack to come, let us know that something totally new and cool was on the horizon, and just plain did it's job.
8. Gears of War (Mad World)
Now, aside from the horribly literal "worn out faces" line being perfectly synced with a shot of a destroyed statue head and the awful habit of the song "Mad World" being a.) referred to as "The Donnie Darko song" (terrible movie) and b.) giving Gary Jules the credit for a song he didn't write (Tears for Fears), this is one hell of a trailer. It shows no gameplay, but the wicked dichotomy of the mellow tune and the destructive violence feels almost poetic; at least, as poetic as Gears of War can get. It certainly did its job and made all gamers take a closer look at a brand new IP.
7. Metroid: Other M (E3 Debut Trailer)
Complete with the overly long and self indulgent Team Ninja intro graphic, Nintendo and TN totally threw gamers for a loop at E3 2009 when they debuted Other M, both taking us by surprise that the game was even Metroid related, but further cementing our shock when the gameplay portions revealed themselves to be a mix of classic 2D Metroid and the FPS-like POV of the Prime games. The game definitely looks epic, more action packed, and all around gorgeous. You can't deny the appeal of a Nintendo and Team Ninja superhero team-up, so expect your expectations to be exceeded. Of particular interest to you should be at about 1:14, when Samus shoves her cannon into Ridley's mouth and blasts him to Hell.
6. Halo 2 (Teaser)
The Halo 2 teaser is as epic as epic gets, but it also holds a bittersweet taste in my mouth. As amazing as it is, it also marks the last good memory I have of the Halo franchise. Perhaps it was the quality of this trailer that led to the franchise's ultimate demise in my eyes, but there is no denying that the Halo 2 teaser put a poo in my pants that somewhat resembled a Flood parasite. The visual effectiveness of seeing Master Chief walk alone as Cortana transmits that "reinforcements are coming", along with "The Last Spartan" playing in the background is second to none. This is essentially the grade A formula for constructing excitement in a sequel.
5. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Teaser)
Forget for a moment that the Star Destroyer segment in The Force Unleashed was utter garbage and almost ruined the experience; this trailer for the game pretty much guaranteed us Star Wars nerds that this was the game we were looking for. It even opened with a throwback to the iconic opening shot of A New Hope. With great music cues (the way the score dies down before Starkiller ignites his saber for the first time, and the exemplary usage of "Duel of the Fates"), a nice demonstration of the game's various Force abilities, and of course, Darth Vader, this trailer, I think, made my balls drop.
4. Metal Gear Solid 2
3. BioShock (Teaser)
From the first lines of Andrew Ryan's speech at the beginning of this teaser leading all the way into the reveal of Rapture and its interior, you know that you are in for quite possibly the creepiest game of all time. While the leaky enviornments surely add to that thought, it's pretty much confirmed when you witness, from first person view, your avatar about to bash a Little Sister's brains in with a wrench. Imagine yourself seeing this again for the very first time, with no previous knowledge of the game, and analyze your thoughts. Analyze them again once the Big Daddy shows up and drills a hole through your hand. We all make choices, but in the end...our choices make us.
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (Joker Trailer)
I think I speak for all of us when I say that any doubts we had about the new Batman game were completely swept away when we first watched this trailer. All of the elements came together to scream "Batman" more than any interactive media has, well, ever. The original score combined with the appropriately grim Arkham Island and the voice acting of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill literally brings tears to my eyes for its absolute perfection. Hell, this trailer is better than any of the trailers for The Dark Knight. It's more exciting, more fast paced, and it's certainly creepier. Thankfully, what this trailer has, the game delivered in spades.
1. Star Wars: The Old Republic (Deceived)
My god. The first time I watched this, I was actually speechless. Nothing to say. This is THE most epic trailer ever produced, and quite possibly one of the best Star Wars trailers, all six films included. It's got the obligatory superb music cues (prequel music no less, score one for me), sound voiceover work and dialog, and one hell of a lightsaber battle, with an ending that takes whatever reservations you may have had about the game and Force chokes it to death, Captain Needa style. Watch this one again. And then again. And then let the tears flow. It's okay buddy, we're not judging you.
