Game trailers have become massive over the past 10 years. With the rise of YouTube and the ease of distribution, hundreds of new trailers are released every month.
Among them there are a few classic trailers that deserve to go down in history as the best of the best; the trailers that we still watch again now, years after the games have been released.
Let’s take a look at the best gaming trailers from 2000-09.
Grand Theft Auto IV
Trailer Debut: Trailers 1-4 ‘07-08
The four part series of Grand Theft Auto IV trailers made us want the game even more as each was released. While each trailer was better than the last, it’s hard to look past the first as one of the most memorable trailers of the decade.
Resident Evil 4
Trailer Debut: E3 2004
It was a long time coming, but Resident Evil 4 as we know it was finally displayed in all its glory at E3 2004 in this magnificent trailer. This was back when it was the third party GameCube exclusive to own.
Halo 3
Trailer Debut: E3 2006
Finish the fight. Say what you want about Halo 3, but it’s hard to dispute its marketing campaign and pre-release presence. Just watching this trailer makes me want to go back and finish the fight all over again.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Trailer Debut: E3 2006
Nintendo like to get chatty at E3, but in 2006 they let the Super Smash Bros. Brawl trailer do the talking. Trailers like this make an E3 conference.
Assassin’s Creed
Trailer Debut: E3 2006
The Assassin’s Creed trailer at E3 2006 was amazing. The concept, the setting, the characters and the story. Everything about it made for a fantastic start to a new IP, even if the game didn’t quite deliver.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Trailer Debut: TGS 2001
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty deserves a mention as one of the first trailers to start the trend. While dated now, it wowed audiences in 2001 with its cinematic presence and proved that games could match the best of Hollywood’s promotional material.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Trailer Debut: E3 2007
Looking back it’s easy to see why the original Modern Warfare took the gaming world by storm. With a captivating story and amazing visuals, it was always destined to become the juggernaut it is today.
BioShock
Trailer Debut: 2007 Launch Trailer
One of the best launch trailers of all time. It put you in the shoes of protagonist Jack and had almost as much impact as the actual game!
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Trailer Debut: E3 2009
Despite not being officially released in Australia until next month, Star Wars: The Old Republic was starring at E3 back in 2009. With fan service to Star Wars, stunning visuals and the makings of a great MMO, the Sith vs. Jedi trailer was everything we wanted to see and more.
Metroid: Other M
Trailer Debut: E3 2009
After the success of the Prime Trilogy, Nintendo shocked us by revealing Metroid was returning to its third person roots. However, the debut trailer at E3 2009 did more than that. It showed a new, human, side to Samus, which we had never seen before. Nintendo actually started to develop one of their historic characters beyond what was established on the NES.
Duke Nukem Forever
Trailer Debut: E3 2001
Before it become utter tripe, Duke Nukem Forever was anticipated for all the right reasons. The peak of its promise came at E3 in 2001, a full decade before the sorry excuse for a Duke Nukem game was actually released.
By Ben Salter
What is your favourite games trailer of the 2000s?