10 CLASSIC Video Game Commercials That Were Peak
1. Halo 3
The marketing for Halo 3 didn't just feel like a promotional tool, but a moment in gaming history, since each of them hit emotionally, visually, and culturally.
Having said that, it's tough to say which trailer is "the best," since they all hit hard but in different ways. The SuperBowl commercial depicts Master Chief as a boy stargazing with his friend. It then smash-cuts to a war-torn battlefield, with the adult Chief launching himself into battle. Not only was the contrast between childhood innocence and the brutal war deeply moving, it was interesting to see a more humanised MC for a change.
Although the official trailer was expected to show off bombastic action, this promotion feels more cinematic and mournful, elevating the emotional weight of the story. It highlights this isn't just another war, but the last stand for humanity.
Rather than leaving it at that, Bungie released yet another teaser, portraying a diorama of Master Chief's squad in the middle of a losing battle. Despite being only a minute long and not showing any gameplay, this sombre music and meticulous detail of the diorama evokes real gravity, emphasising the soldier's terror and desperation.
What makes these trailers so fascinating is how the marketers didn't take the easy route by focusing on cool gadgets or flashy gunfights. Fortunately, the minimalistic approach paid off, since it teased an epic and emotional story while giving away very little.
Even after all these years, none of Halo 3's promotions have lost an ounce of their power.