There are too many memorable launch games to cover in just one list. Consequently, we have decided to continue our listing of “best launch games” of all time this week. Last week, we listed some of the most important (and revolutionary games) of their time, and today we continue the trend by including some well (and lesser) known launch titles that helped to sell brand new hardware at launch.
Pilotwings 64 (1996) (Nintendo 64)
Super Mario 64, understandably (and rightfully) stole all of the headlines and awards in 1996. But the Nintendo 64’s sparse (two game) launch lineup had another game that was nearly as ground breaking as its Italian Plumber’s 3-D debut.
Pilotwings 64 is a sequel to SNES’ Pilotwings, and it was the most impressive looking flying simulator in 1996. Despite the fact that it was largely out shined by Mario 64, Pilotwings managed to nab a GameRankings score of 80/100, and it went on to sell over a million units.
Pilotwings 64’s impressive draw distance, realistic enviroments, and smooth textured polygonal surfaces, earned it good scores. Pilotwings 64 was a launch game that certainly showed the massive 3-D capabilities of the Nintendo 64, at the time.
Panzer Dragoon (1995) (Sega Saturn)
The Sega Saturn, had more launch titles in 1995 than the Nintendo 64 would have in its own U.S. debut, a year later. However, no Sega Saturn launch game close to being as good as Super Mario 64, and its line-up mostly consisted of Sega Arcade Ports like Daytona and Virtua Fighter.
Amongst this lineup, however, one game stood out from the rest, that game was Panzer Dragoon. Panzer Dragoon’s existence, and its gorgeous 3-D visuals were a miracle in game development and coding. The Sega Saturn was notoriously difficult to code for (one of the system’s fatal flaws), but Team Andromeda and Sega managed to craft a unique flying on rails shooter, with a distinct visual style and lore to boot.
Because of quick release deadlines and the development team’s inexperience with the Saturn hardware, Panzer Dragoon is relatively a short game (6 levels). However, as a tech showcase for the Sega Saturn in 1995, Panzer Dragoon more than served its purpose. Publications like Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the game as a “Must-have” for the Saturn, and the game holds a 91/100 GameRankings rating, which is impressive.
Battle Arena Toshiden (1995) (PlayStation)
Sony did quite a few things better with its PlayStation launch than Sega did with its own Saturn (unexpected) launch date. For starters, Sony had more games. These games weren’t all time classics, or recognizable names, but sometimes quantity trumps quality, and this might have been the case here.
Battle Arena Toshiden is not remembered as fondly as Tekken, or Virtua Fighter. The truth is that Toshiden isn’t as good as any of the aforementioned titles, but at least, it looked better than they did. Battle Arena Toshiden was one of the finest looking launch titles in the PlayStation lineup, and it helped to bolster the impression that the system was better suited for 3-D gaming that the Saturn was.
Thanks to its 3-D graphics, and the ability to “side step” around the battle arenas, Toshiden was one of (if not) the earliest example of a “True 3-D” fighting game. The game’s texture mapped polygons were a sight to behold 26 years ago, and its sales (over 1.2 million units) are a testament to its importance as a PlayStation launch title.
Sonic Adventure (1999) (Sega Dreamcast)
In terms of quality and quantity, arguably, no console has ever had a greater launch line-up of games than the Sega Dreamcast. That statement is proof that great games at a console’s launch does not necessarily guarantee the success of said home console.
Sonic Adventure was key to Sega’s hopes for the Dreamcast. Sonic Team (aided by the Dreamcast’s horsepower) crafted the fastest and most beautiful 3-D platformer up to that point. Sonic Adventure looked leap and bounds better than Super Mario 64, and it was a true showcase of the Dreamcast’s capabilities.
Sonic Adventure was well received by critics of its time. These critics mainly praised its amazing visuals, but SA was also a decent transition into three dimensions for the series. Sonic didn’t quite pull off Super Mario 64’s brilliant transition, but in my opinion, SA remains the best 3-D Sonic game around, even with its flaws.
Sonic Adventure provided tons of replay value to gamers by giving players the ability to play as different characters, and by utilizing the Dreamcast’s VMUs (Visual Memory Units) in creative ways. Sonic Adventure was big launch title for the Dreamcast in terms of marketing, but there was another launch title…that would steal the headlines and drop jaws everywhere.
Soul Calibur (1999) (Sega Dreamcast)
Soul Calibur is a top 3 contender for the greatest launch game ever, period. It wasn’t as revolutionary as SM64, or as mind-blowing as Halo, but it could be argued that the game was 3-D fighting perfection. Even if we don’t talk about Soul Calibur’s fast, fluid, and tight combat system, its visuals were by far the most impressive showcase of the Dreamcast hardware, at the time.
Widely praised as one of the greatest games of all time, Soul Calibur went on to sell over 1 million copies (no small feat on the Dreamcast), and to win many critical accolades. By Metacritic (ratings) Soul Calibur is the best fighting game of all time with a staggering 98/100 rating.
Namco’s weapons based fighter is simply one of the greatest games of all time, and it justified a Dreamcast purchase to many gamers back in 1999-2000. If this list’s (and part 1) entries were to be numbered, Soul Calibur would do no worse than #3 in my book. It was that good.
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