5 console launch titles that aged like fine wine

With the Nintendo Switch 2 launch firmly behind us, now feels like a great time to reflect on some of the best launch games in history. While there are examples of games that absolutely drove the console's success, like Wii Sports, for this list, we're focusing on the games that have aged well, entering the pantheon of the best games ever made, launch game or not. The Nintendo Switch 2 launch day games may have satisfied gamers, but there isn't anything that can match some of the best launch games in history. Any game that was available on Day One for a new console, and not available prior to that, is eligible for this list.

5 Super Mario World

One of the best Mario games launched alongside the SNES

Super Mario World was a launch game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and its place as one of the best 2D Mario games has been locked down since. It builds upon the last three games in the series, but adds new gameplay features, like dashing and the spin-jump. Super Mario World introduced the Spin Cape to the series and featured boss battles against the Koopalings, in addition to a final confrontation with Bowser. Its most important addition came in the form of a green dinosaur named Yoshi, who went on to have his own games, in addition to becoming one of the most prominent characters in the Mario universe. Super Mario World remains a fantastic 2D platformer that still feels as good to play today as it did at the launch of the SNES. It turns out that making a phenomenal video game is a great way to sell consoles.

4 Halo: Combat Evolved

The only reason Xbox still exists is that it happens to be one of the most revolutionary games ever made

Halo: Combat Evolved was one of about a dozen or so launch games for the original Xbox, but it's the only one that really matters. While first-person shooters had appeared on consoles before, with games like GoldenEye 007, those games only used a single analogue stick. Halo: CE used two analogue sticks, permanently altering the way that shooters are played on consoles. On top of that, it's a fantastic game in its own right, using its large, sprawling levels to get a sense of scale. Both the Covenant and the Flood serve as pretty terrifying enemies the first time you encounter them, and levels like Silent Cartographer have proven themselves to stand the test of time as fantastic single-player campaign levels. Not only did Halo: CE drive the early success of Xbox, but it stands the test of time as an all-timer first-person-shooter, and one that any fan of the genre has to play at least once in their life.

3 Super Mario 64

You know what this is

Everyone knows Super Mario 64; Its influence and quality have assured its place among the best games ever made, and certainly the best console launch games. But the fact that everyone knows it goes to show just how well it's aged since launching alongside the Nintendo 64. Nintendo's first 3D home console, the company needed a true representation of the extra dimension and additional bits given by the power of the Nintendo 64. Naturally, a Mario platformer made sense, and that led to Super Mario 64, which featured near-perfect platforming, one of the better cameras from this era of 3D gaming, and iconic levels. It also created a new Mario franchise, leading to future great games, like Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Odyssey. The quality of its platforming is also reflected in its popularity as a speed-running game, often serving as a training ground for people new to speed-running video games.

2 Astro's Playroom

Before Astro Bot, we had a fantastic PS5 launch game

Before Astro Bot was released as a full-size game that ended up taking home the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards in 2024, Astro's Playroom served as an introduction to the PS5 hardware. Not only a launch game, but also a pack-in that came installed on the PS5, Astro's Playroom has all the incredible platforming in a smaller package. It served as a way to learn about the PS5 hardware and featured tons of Easter eggs like the later game does. While it might feel a tad antiquated after Astro Bot, it still has tons of unique levels and platforming challenges that still feel just as perfect as Astro Bot does. Modern console launches feel like they are lacking strong launch day games, but Astro's Playroom provided a perfect display of the DualSense Controller, while being one of the best platformers you can play. Astro's Playroom might not be the first game to come to mind when people discuss the quality of PlayStation exclusives, but it should be.

1 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

So good Nintendo used it as a launch game twice

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is obviously one of the greatest games ever made, and possibly the best, depending on who you ask. While an upgraded version was used alongside Tears of the Kingdom as Switch 2 launch games, Breath of the Wild is on this list as a Nintendo Switch launch game. Originally announced for the Wii U, it was launched alongside the release of the Nintendo Switch, which made getting a Nintendo Switch quite difficult. It showed off just how perfectly the handheld mode worked on Switch, which made it clear that the staple feature was far more than a gimmick. It also showed that even after the flop of the Wii U, Nintendo still had it in them to make phenomenal video games. While the Nintendo Switch was home to tons of fantastic games, Breath of the Wild set the bar incredibly high.

Launch games are important to a console's success

While there are plenty of consoles that didn't have spectacular launch day games that have still done well, like the PS4, it's clear from looking at the best launch games that it does help. The Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 64, Xbox, and PlayStation 5 were all relatively successful consoles, and in the case of the Xbox, successful enough for the company to still be making consoles over 20 years later. Not every launch game is going to be remembered, but the best ones have been.