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[Shrennin]

Super Mario 64 followed by Halo for me.

Super Mario 64 ushered in a new style of gameplay, while Halo defined a specific genre for consoles and was the backbone behind a system surviving and becoming what it has become.

 

[CrunchyFrog]

Surely you should add a not a sequel clause to the rule

the real answer here is Super Monkey Ball for the Gamecube

As much as I'd like to put on the rose tinted glasses and say super mario world here, I would have to agree. Most fun I've had with a launch title ever. (not to downplay the merits of the others)

 

[overcast]

Halo.

 

[Tawpgun]

Put me down for Mario 64 and Halo.

 

[milkyjay20]

If it weren't for Halo, Xbox Live wouldn't be suscription based, there wouldn't be much profit for Microsoft, the Xbox probably wouldn't sell, and there wouldn't be a 360 today.

then what to do with my time machine is now obvious

 

[OldJadedGamer]

360's launch was so dry that people like me started hyping DOA4 as the 2nd coming. Very amusing how excited I was to get my hands on that.

COD2 wasn't bad at all but the broken Multiplayer was just horrible especially after coming from Halo 2. Speaking of, I think I played Halo 2 so much during the 360 launch as no one else could score a system to play other games.

Smugglers Run. (PS2)

Not a launch title either.

 

[Anth0ny]

Mario 64 and Halo CE. Amazing games even now.

 

[DICKS AHOY]

Luigi's Mansion.

I'm not even joking; at the time the GCN came out as an 11 year old I really wanted a 'dark'-ish Mario game and a Luigi game, and LM fitted the bill nicely. Wish people didn't dump on it as much.

Though if this is just meant to be launch games in general and not just what launch games you played at the time you like the most, SM64, SMW (and I guess Halo) by far.

 

[Chuck Norris]

Strange how the systems with the best launch title have never really gone on to win the generation

 

[Altazor]

Super Mario World and Super Mario 64, especially the latter, considering it pretty much defined a genre and made everybody know that a successful 2D-3D transition could be done. It changed gaming.

Spoiler

I haven't played it that much, but...

I guess Halo: CE fits the bill too. A lot of modern shooters are directly (or indirectly) influenced by it and, yeah, kept Microsoft's console division alive.

 

[Dizzy]

Either Super Mario World or Super Mario 64, two of the greatest games of all time. It's no wonder Nintendo has been around so long, looking at a list of launch titles on wikipedia these two games alone are probably better than all the other launch titles put together.

 

[Eiji]

 

[Alligatorjandro]

Halo

 

[Deku_Rain]

Castlevania Circle of the Moon for the GBA. That game singlehandedly made me take the plunge into handheld gaming. Before that; to me, all handhelds got were shoddy ports and bland spinoffs with awful music and sound effects. CotM changed all that.

 

[FloppyDelux]

Actually, this should be pretty educational for me. I don't know much about Japanese launches.

Skimming Wikipedia and looking at games I'd be interested in:

- SNES is strong with F-Zero and Super Mario World.
- Megadrive is strong with Space Harrier II and kinda weak with Super Thunder Blade
- Saturn had nothing. VF1? Nah, thanks.
- PSX had Nekketsu Oyako? damn. And Parodius Deluxe Pack? damn homie.
- N64 had Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings.
- Dreamcast had VF3tb.
- PS2 had ?
- Gamecube had Super Monkey Ball.
- Xbox had Halo and JSRF.
- 360 had, uh, Condemned.
- PS3 had nothing.
- Wii had nothing.

This was cool to look up. I'm really surprised at some of these, like Space Harrier II and Nekketsu Oyako.

I don't know. Mario 64 is cool. Nekketsu Oyako is okay to good, and Parodius is very strong but an arcade port. F-Zero and Super Mario World are also pretty good.

I might have to give this to the PSX, with Super Nintendo in second.

Nothing shitty about these rules, either. Just your nostalgia!

PS2 had - SSX, Fantavision and Orphan( at least i enjoyed those game on launch days)

 

[Trojan X]

If RE-LAUNCH counted then I would have to say the SEGA SATURN for the amazing SEGA RALLY, VIRTUA COP and VIRTUA FIGHTER 2 pack. However, sticking to the OP, I would have to say the Super Nintendo with Super Mario World. I didn't buy it on launch day, but I recognise heavenly bliss when I see it. Another one was Virtua Fighter for the SEGA SATURN, and Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64.

All in all, the above were heavenly bliss on launch day.

 

[KingK]

Super Mario World
Mario 64
Halo
Resistance

in that order.

 

[Necromanti]

Definitely Super Mario 64, for me. As for personal launch titles, I'd have to say Super Smash Brothers Melee, which I had in hand before I even got the system. I was so amazed by how the graphics looked that I almost felt dizzy.

 

[OldJadedGamer]

Crazy how many people here didn't know that Tekken Tag didn't make the launch of the PS2.

 

[GDGF]

Mario 64

 

[Kandinsky]

I wish i could experience something like Mario 64 again, and i just know it will never ever happen, sad shit really D:

 

[onken]

Yeah Mario 64 was just nuts, I'd rate it over SMG any day of the week.

 

[Bay Maximus]

Super Mario World is the best launch game but Mario 64 was more influential.

I'd rather go back and play some SMW over 64 any day of the week.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

For people wondering, here's the launch titles for most major consoles:

NES (Japan)
Donkey Kong (Nintendo)
Donkey Kong Jr. (Nintendo)
Popeye (Nintendo)

TurboGrafx-16 (Japan)
Bukurriman World (Hudson)
Shanghai (Hudson)

Genesis (Japan)
Space Harrier II (Sega)
Super Thunderblade (Sega)

Game Boy (Japan)
Alleyway (Nintendo)
Baseball (Nintendo)
Super Mario Land (Nintendo)
Yakuman (Nintendo)

Game Gear (Japan)
Columns (Sega)
Pengo (Sega)
Super Monaco GP (Sega)

Super NES (Japan)
F-Zero (Nintendo)
Super Mario World (Nintendo)

Saturn (Japan)
Virtua Fighter (Sega)
Wanchai Connection (Sega)
Mahjong Gokuji Tenku (Electronic Arts)
Myst (Sunsoft)
Tama: Adventurous Ball in Labyrinth (Time Warner Interactive)

PlayStation (Japan)
Crime Crackers (Sony Computer Entertainment)
A-Train IV Evolution (Artdink)
Mahjong Gokuji Tenku (Electronic Arts)
Mahjong Station Mazin (Sunsoft)
Nekketsu Oyako (Tecnosoft)
Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack (Konami)
Ridge Racer (Namcot)
Tama: Adventurous Ball in Labyrinth (Time Warner Interactive)

Nintendo 64 (Japan)
Pilotwings 64 (Nintendo)
Super Mario 64 (Nintendo)
Saikyo Habu Shogi 64 (Seta)

Dreamcast (Japan)
Godzilla Generations (Sega)
July (Sega)
Pen Pen Tricelon (Sega)
Virtua Fighter 3tb (Sega)

PlayStation 2 (Japan)
A-Train VI (Artdink)
DrumMania (Konami)
Eternal Ring (From Software)
Kakinogi Shogi IV (ASCII)
Kessen (Koei)
Mahjong Takai (Koei)
Morita Shogi (Yuki Enterprise)
Ridge Racer V (Namco)
Stepping Selection (Jaleco)
Street Fighter EX3 (Capcom)

Game Boy Advance (Japan)
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity (Nintendo)
Kurukuru Kururin (Nintendo)
Napoleon (Nintrndo)
Super Mario Advance (Nintendo)
Air Traffic Controller (TAM)
Bomberman Tournament (Hudson)
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Konami)
Chu-Chu Rocket! (Sega)
EZ-Talk Series (Keynet)
Fire Pro Wrestling (Spike)
GT Advance: Championship Racing (MTO)
JGTO Golf Master (Konami)
J-League Pocket (Konami)
Konami Krazy Racers (Konami)
Megaman Battle Network (Capcom)
Monster Guardians (Konami)
Mr. Driller 2 (Namco)
Pinobee: Quest of Heart (Hudson)
Powapuro Kun Pocket 3 (Konami)
Silent Hill Play Novel (Konami)
Super Dodgeball Advance (Atlus)
Top Gear Championship Racing (Kemco)
Tweety and the Magic Jewels (Kemco)
Winning Post Advance (Koei)
Yu-Gi-Oh! Dungeondice Monsters (Konami)

Gamecube (Japan)
Luigi's Mansion (Nintendo)
Waverace Blue Storm (Nintendo)
Super Monkey Ball (Sega)

Xbox (USA)
Fusion Frenzy (Microsoft Game Studios)
Halo: Combat Evolved (Microsoft Game Studios)
NFL Fever 2002 (Microsoft Game Studios)
Project Gotham Racing (Microsoft Game Studios)
Oddworld: Munch's Odyssey (Microsoft Game Studios)
Air Force Delta Storm (Konami)
Arctic Thunder (Midway Games)
Cel Damage (Electronic Arts)
Dead or Alive 3 (Tecmo)
Mad Dash Racing (Eidos Interactive)
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2X (Activision)
4x4 Evo 2 (T2 Interactive)

Nintendo DS (USA)
Super Mario 64 DS (Nintendo)
Asphalt: Urban GT (Ubisoft)
Feel the Magic: XY-XX (Sega)
Madden NFL 2005 (Electronic Arts)
Spider-Man 2 (Activision)
The Urbz: Sims in the City (Electronic Arts)

PSP (Japan)
Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Armored Core: Formula Front (From Software)
DarkStalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower (Capcom)
Lumines (Bandai)
Mahjong Fight Club (Konami)
Ridge Racers (Namco)

Xbox 360 (USA)
Kameo: Elements of Power (Microsoft Game Studios)
Perfect Dark Zero (Microsoft Game Studios)
Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft Game Studios)
Amped 3 (2K)
Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
Condemned: Criminal Origins (Sega)
FIFA '06: Road to FIFA World Cup (Electronic Arts)
GUN (Activision)
Madden NFL 06 (Electronic Arts)
NBA 2K6 (2K)
NBA Live 06 (Electronic Arts)
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (Electronic Arts)
NHL 2K6 (2K)
Peter Jackson's King Kong (Ubisoft)
Quake 4 (Activision)
Ridge Racer 6 (Namco)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 (Electronic Arts)
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (Activision)

PlayStation 3 (Japan)
Genji: Days of the Blade (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Resistance: Fall of Man (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Target In Sight (Bandai)
Ridge Racer 7 (Namco)
Sega Golf Club (Sega)

Wii (USA)
Excite Truck (Nintendo)
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo)
Wii Sports ( Nintendo)
Avatar: The Last Airbender (THQ)
Call of Duty 3 (Activision)
Cars (THQ)
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (Bandai)
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (Midway Games)
GT Pro Series (Ubisoft)
Happy Feet (Midway Games)
Madden NFL 07 (Electronic Arts)
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Activision)
Monster 4x4 World Circuit (Ubisoft)
Need for Speed: Carbon (Electronic Arts)
Rampage: Total Destruction (Midway Games)
Rayman Raving Rabbids (Ubisoft)
Red Steel (Ubisoft)
SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab (THQ)
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz (Sega)
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam (Activision)
Trauma Center: Second Opinion (Atlus)

Nintendo 3DS (Japan)
Nintendogs + Cats (Nintendo)
Bust-a-Move Universe (Square Enix)
Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D (Ubisoft)
Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracles (Level 5)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D (Konami)
Ridge Racer 3D (Namco)
Samurai Warriors: Chronicles (Koei)
Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition (Capcom)

 

[OldJadedGamer]

Awesome list lunchwithyuzo. That looks very accurate.

 

[Hazelhurst]

Halo by far.

Super Mario 64 is overrated.

 

[smoothj]

Timesplitters for PS2. It was a total hidden gem of a game.

 

[OldJadedGamer]

Timesplitters for PS2. It was a total hidden gem of a game.

So hidden that it missed the launch!

 

[segasonic]

 

[kittens]

Yeah, as much as I love me some classic Mario, Halo has got to take the top spot. It was such a fresh, exciting experience. And the multiplayer went on to make it legendary. Best launch ever.

 

[Lard]

- N64 had Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings.

Would have to say this one, although the original Xbox had a decent launch line up.

 

[VisionaryQuest0]

Soul Calibur was a launch for Dreamcast right?

 

[Kitschkraft]

Soul Calibur was a launch for Dreamcast right?

I don't think so. I may be wrong, but I remember picking that up after having had my DC for awhile.

Anyways, my vote goes to Halo. Defined a system.

 

[Gomu Gomu]

Yeah, a tie between Mario 64 & Halo. But if I had to choose one, I would say Halo. Because it single handedly made the Xbox what it is today. And it is a key player to the wide spread console shooters, which became the most important genre at the moment.

 

[revolverjgw]

Mario 64. This game was far beyond any comparable game and I still find it fun to play. Damn tastefully designed platformer not bogged down by collectathons.

 

[snesfreak]

SMW and SM64.
Halo is overrated.

 

[OldJadedGamer]

Soul Calibur was a launch for Dreamcast right?

The Dreamcast was on store shelves for about 10 months before Soul Calibur came out.

 

[orioto]

Wave Race 64

 

[Tain]

Kurukuru Kururin (Nintendo) [Raizing]

serious fuckin' contender.

 

[CrunchinJelly]

SMW and SM64.
Halo is overrated.

Halo has defined the last 10 years of gaming and has single-handedly given us the industry we have today.

Not over-exaggerating. Halo was a HUGE turning point for gaming. For good or bad is personal opinion.

 

[Frillen]

Actually, this should be pretty educational for me. I don't know much about Japanese launches.

Skimming Wikipedia and looking at games I'd be interested in:

- SNES is strong with F-Zero and Super Mario World.
- Megadrive is strong with Space Harrier II and kinda weak with Super Thunder Blade
- Saturn had nothing. VF1? Nah, thanks.
- PSX had Nekketsu Oyako? damn. And Parodius Deluxe Pack? damn homie.
- N64 had Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings.
- Dreamcast had VF3tb.
- PS2 had ?
- Gamecube had Super Monkey Ball.
- Xbox had Halo and JSRF.
- 360 had, uh, Condemned.
- PS3 had nothing.
- Wii had nothing.

This was cool to look up. I'm really surprised at some of these, like Space Harrier II and Nekketsu Oyako.

I don't know. Mario 64 is cool. Nekketsu Oyako is okay to good, and Parodius is very strong but an arcade port. F-Zero and Super Mario World are also pretty good.

I might have to give this to the PSX, with Super Nintendo in second.

Nothing shitty about these rules, either. Just your nostalgia!

360 also had Call of Duty 2 which still has the best single player out of any in the series. Luigi's Mansion was pretty good as well.

 

[ruxtpin]

In the US, weren't SM64 and Pilotwings64 the only games available for the 64 at launch?

 

[Pseudo_Sam]

Excite Truck.

Better than Mario 64, better than Halo.

 

[Rahxephon91]

Dead or Alive 3 for me. Played it tons even after the Xbox was killed. Still looks great today, probably one of the best aging launch titles this side of Soul Calibur.

 

[Himself]

Halo by far.

Super Mario 64 is overrated.

Super Mario 64 by far.

Halo is overrated.

 

[matt05891]

Super Mario 64 by far.

Halo is overrated.

Halo still defined the system and as many have said made a make or break console succeed.
And reiterating others it also defined the FPS market into what it is today; for better or worse.
But SM64 is still AMAZING and definitely up there as well. Probably solid 2 for me.

 

[0 HP]

sonic adventure and soul calibur. i think the dreamcast launch was when video games peaked for me

 

[disappeared]

Super Mario 64. I don't know where 3D gaming would be right now if it wasn't for that game. Halo does run a close second though. It helped shape the face of the modern-day console gaming experience.

 

[ToyMachine228]

Halo: CE MADE the modern first-person shooter for consoles. And it was a launch title.

 

[OldJadedGamer]

sonic adventure and soul calibur. i think the dreamcast launch was when video games peaked for me

Neither of these were launch titles.

Halo has defined the last 10 years of gaming and has single-handedly given us the industry we have today.

Not over-exaggerating. Halo was a HUGE turning point for gaming. For good or bad is personal opinion.

I kind of agree with this and never thought of Halo's impact when I created the thread. To see that it's an original launch title as well makes it that much more impressive.