A console’s launch lineup is an important factor in its success. Launch lineups give new consoles the chance to set the tone for what’s to come in the forthcoming generation, and astrong collection of gamescan be pivotal in helping a console beat its competition, particularly in its first year.
Related:Best-Selling PlayStation Launch Titles, Ranked By Metacritic
The following consoles on this list all excelled with their offering of games right of the bat, ensuring that day one console buyers had plenty of games to sink their teeth into right from the word go. For the sake of consistency,this list will look at the games that were available at launch in North America, as Japan and Europe often had different lineups.
5Nintendo GameCube
TheGameCube’s launch lineup raised a few eyebrows, to say the least, as there was a distinct lack of anySuperMariogame. The NES launched withSuper Mario Bros.,the SNES launched withSuper Mario World, and the Nintendo 64 launched withSuper Mario 64,three of the best andmost revolutionary platforming games of all time. Consequently, the GameCube was off to a bad start in the eyes of many gamers before it had even launched.
However, players would soon change their tune after getting their hands on the Nintendo console. Although there wasn’t aSuperMariogame - norLegend of Zeldagame for that matter - the launch lineup was still extremely strong, withLuigi’sMansionleading the way andSuper Monkey Ballbeing a surprise hit that would eventually become one of the console’s most beloved releases. The console also featured a solid range of sports releases on launch and theutterly bizarreand hilarious racing gameCrazy Taxi.
4Sega Dreamcast
It may surprise some people to see the SegaDreamcaston this list, considering that it was Sega’s last console before they called it quits, admitting defeat to Nintendo and PlayStation.
Related:Best Home Console Launch Titles (According To Metacritic)
However, the Sega Dreamcast fully deserves its spot on this list, as it came out of the gates swinging withSonic Adventure, which is still considered to be one of thebest entries in Sega’s flagship franchiseand the first “true” 3D title in the series. The console also launched withSoulcalibur, which was regarded by some as the best fighting game of all time upon release, exemplified by its whopping98 Metascore, making it the joint-second highest game in Metacritic’s history.
3Nintendo Wii
It’s easy to forget now, but many people expected the NintendoWiito be a complete and utter failure when it was announced. The console’s announcement came just a short time afterthe PlayStation 2’s EyeToyhad struggled to impress, leading people to think the Wii would suffer a similar fate. However, the Nintendo Wii would be a booming success, as it managed to succeed in its marketing goal of appealing to every member of a family, regardless of age or gaming background.
WhileThe Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princesswas the console’s standout title in terms of critical acclaim,Wii Sportsis the game that sold many people on the console and its motion controls. WhileWii Sportsdoesn’t compare to some of gaming’s best launch titles in terms of sheer quality, when comparing launch titles by how well they promoted their console, it has to be considered one of the best of all time.
Games likeCall of Duty 3andNeed for Speed: Carbonwere also important for showcasing the Wii’s motion controls, by showing that they could work in standard AAA titles that weren’t exclusive to the console.
2Xbox
With Sega bowing out of the home console market and Sony’s PlayStation 2 proving to be a huge success, it was clear that there was space for another home console to make its mark. Microsoft jumped at the opportunity, releasing theXboxin November 2001.
Related:Every Halo Game, Ranked From Worst To Best (According To Metacritic)
To say that Xbox had an uphill battle on its hands would be an understatement, as Nintendo and PlayStation were leading the way as two trusted and beloved brands. Microsoft’s home console needed to hit the ground running to stand any chance in the home console market, and it did just that with the release ofHalo: Combat Evolved. The first game in Xbox’s flagship franchise was considered one of thebest first-person shooters of all timeupon release and, as the name suggests, offered a futuristic style of combat that was unlike anything else at the time.
Project Gotham Racingwas another exclusive release on the console that immediately proved to the gaming industry that the Xbox was ready to be a major player.
1Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is one of, if not the most important console release of all time.The gaming industry crashed in 1983, with many people believing that home consoles were never going to be a success. However, by advertising the NES as an entertainment system instead of a games console, Nintendo were able to sneak home consoles back into places that had previously rejected them. Once the console was there, it dazzled gamers with its incredible launch lineup that was, of course, led by the legendary platformerSuper Mario Bros.It’s no exaggeration to say that the NES' launch lineup was imperative in reviving the gaming industry, as more games likeE.T. The Extra-Terrestrialwould have crushed consumer-hope once again.
Along withSuper Mario Bros., racing gameExcitebikewas also a hit for itssimple yet addictive gameplay. Meanwhile, sports games with titles likeSoccer, Tennis, andGolfmay sound painfully generic today, though they were revolutionary home console releases at the time and helped cement the NES as the next generation in gaming.
