5 of My Favorite Video Game Commercials

 The Collaborations of Marketing and Video Games

        It seems to be tougher to advertise video games to the mainstream audience than other types of entertainment. Therefore, it takes a little more creativity to get the attention of the average consumer. The best video game commercials need to stand out from the pack and get the viewers excited about the game. These are five of my favorite video commercials in chronological order.

Pokémon Red and Blue Link Cable Commercial-1998

        The Link Cable was needed in order to play multiplayer on the original Gameboy. Very few games had multiplayer options that made the accessory a must-have until Pokémon was released. This commercial sort of shows off the ability of trading Pokémon between games which was the greatest idea ever according to seven-year-old me.


Super Smash Bros. Commercial-1999

         I've always been a fan of crossovers. It didn't matter if it was Batman and Robin helping Scooby Doo and the gang solve mysteries or The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles teaming up with The Power Rangers. So, when I saw the commercial for Super Smash Bros. with mascot costume versions of Mario, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, and Pikachu frolicking in a field of flowers, I became extremely excited. When they starting beating the crap out of each other, I nearly lost it. I was sold on this game from the first time I saw this commercial.


Paper Mario Commercial-2001

        This is probably the funniest one on the list. The blatantly cheesy and low-budget style of this commercial make it truly unique. It was funny watching Mario run around with almost no animation, but I almost died laughing when I saw Princess Peach suspended over a paper shredder.


Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando Commercial Series-2003

        The Ratchet & Clank series has always featured some bizarre and crazy weapons that are completely outside the realm of reality. Well, the amusing thing about the commercials for Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando was bringing these weapons into reality. These commercials feature a group of people testing the effects of these weapons in the real world.


Borderlands Commercial-2009

    
          Borderlands is one crazy game. The best kind of commercial to make for this game would be to capitalize on the game's absurdity. The commercial just shows gameplay accompanied by hilarious quotes about the game like "87 bazillion guns" and "the RPG and FPS had a baby". This is all shown with the game's theme music, "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" by Cage the Elephant playing. 


        It can be difficult to sell an idea of a video game to the average consumer. It takes a special creative eye and marketing skills to make memorable commercials like these. What are your favorite video game commercials? Let me know in the comments.