Having a game console release with hard-hitting launch titles used to be a really big thing. This gen was pretty lacking in that aspect, but historically it mattered a lot with the launch titles determining how successful the initial sales of a console would be.
To highlight this, Dead or Alive 4 missed the Japanese launch of the 360 by a few weeks, and this was largely blamed for the 360's abysmal initial sales in the region. With modern launches, people typically buy for the brand and gaming ecosystem, but that wasn't always the case. Great launch titles can be ones everyone remembers or hidden gems that might have launched in a different region.
1 Game Boy: Tetris
The handheld and mobile gaming of today has to give their dues to the original Game Boy, as they would not exist without it. Not only did the system revolutionize and popularize gaming on the go, but its premier launch title figured out what worked in this format. A puzzle game perfect for when you're waiting in the real world.
Tetris is not only a great puzzle game, but its Game Boy release impacted the entire industry. Still, the most popular mobile and handheld games are short-form experiences like Candy Crush Saga. It fits excellently for most situations gaming on the go applies to, and Tetris was the realization point.
2 SNES: Super Mario World
Many don't know this, but in North America, the SNES actually released in the summer instead of the usual holiday season. Parents weren't so willing to get one immediately, especially if they had purchased an NES the prior Christmas. With the odd release, you better have some banger launch games, and you can't ask for much more than Super Mario World.
It really was the next step after Mario 3, with great sprite work that seemingly couldn't be done on the previous system. The new enemies, power-ups, and level gimmicks were all fun, plus it was the first Mario in the West to have a bonus world. Star World was a great addition for the hardened Mario players. While people debate whether Mario 3 or World is better, World is still one of the best games on the system.
3 N64: Super Mario 64
The fifth generation of consoles ushered in the 3D era of gaming. Many franchises seemingly had to switch over to 3D, especially after the groundbreaking N64 launch title, Super Mario 64. One advantage the N64 had over the PlayStation was an analog stick at launch, and this is so important in regard to Mario 64.
Having the ability to control Mario with a full 360-degree rotation changed the gaming landscape going forward. The game itself still holds up for the most part, with its fun levels, and can be completed in numerous ways since you only need 70 out of 120 stars to finish it. You can replay this game every year and have so much fun each time.
4 Xbox: Halo
While GoldenEye 007 was the first impactful console FPS, Halo took it to the next level. The campaign itself is amazing, especially for the time. Many levels are distinct, the different enemy types mix up the gameplay quite a bit, and the story hooks. What made Halo especially great, though, was the co-op and multiplayer.
The co-op was so much fun with the death system. If one of you dies, that's okay, and you'll respawn, but if both of you die, you'll restart at the checkpoint. Multiplayer LAN parties were a truly special treat and something new for console gaming at the time. The best launch game of that console generation had to be Halo, although it is outdone by its sequel.
5 GameCube: Super Monkey Ball
Luigi's Mansion is a pretty good and short GameCube title, but the best launch game had to be Super Monkey Ball. First, the party games were a total blast, even if there aren't as many as future entries. The course meal, however, is the main game which is an amazingly controlled platformer.
Monkey Ball was made for the GameCube's analog stick with its precision, and the game's fittingly one of the hardest titles on the system. It feels great when you finally beat a level that's been giving you a tough time or beat Expert mode. Thankfully Monkey Ball 1 isn't a super expensive GameCube game and is a must-buy if you own the system.
6 Xbox 360: Call Of Duty 2
Some people today might not know how great the first few Call of Duty games were since many jumped onto the series in the first Modern Warfare. Infinity Ward's previous installment with Call of Duty 2 is just as good. One of the greatest WW2 games of all time, it puts your through three separate campaigns: Russian, British, and American.
You'll fight through many historical events, including a standout depiction of D-Day. Playing COD2 on Veteran actually feels immersive because you can die in a split second. One guy can appear in your vision, and after that, you're just dead. No matter the difficulty, COD2 still holds up as a WW2 experience.
7 Wii: The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess
After The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, people wanted a more hard-edged and realistic Zelda game. Their wishes were granted with Twilight Princess. This title is still many people's favorite Zelda game, and it's not just because of the realistic art style in favor of cel-shading. It's due to the total package.
In most 3D Zeldas, the core is the dungeons, bosses, and items. Twilight Princess has debatably the best overall of these three. Items like the Double Clawshot and Spinner are so fun to use. Almost all the bosses are very fun to fight, and the dungeons are equally good. Along with great pacing, this is some people's only Zelda game they've beaten because it never drags hard.
8 PS4: Like A Dragon: Ishin!
The launch games for the PS4 were lacking in comparison to Xbox One titles, which is odd considering what system most people bought. On the other hand, the Japanese launch of the PS4 had one launch game better than all the rest, and that was Like a Dragon: Ishin. Releasing between Yakuza 5 and 0, Ishin is right in the series' prime.
With four awesome fighting styles, unique minigames exclusive to Ishin, and a standout period-piece story, Ishin was the one game every Western fan wanted to play. Thankfully in 2023, a remake was released worldwide, making this sweet game available for everyone to play.
9 Switch: The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
After Skyward Sword, it was clear the Zelda series needed a bit of a shakeup. People were tired of the same 3D Zelda formula, and Breath of the Wild was exactly what the series needed. Going back to the roots of the first game, Breath of the Wild gives you a massive world to explore with no restrictions.
After the beginning areas, you can head straight to Ganon if you want to. The open-world design and various elements like cooking and climbing have become very influential to many games after this. Breath of the Wild was truly the next Ocarina of Time, the next evolution in the series.
10 Xbox Series X|S: Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Like Zelda, the Yakuza franchise was running a bit out of steam after the Dragon Engine titles felt like a step down from the likes of 0 or 5. The beat-'em-up action just felt worse, but the seventh main installment arrived to save the day. While a whole genre shift to JRPG was risky, it's exactly what everyone needed.
It felt incredibly refreshing to not only the series but other triple-A RPGs out at the time. The new cast of characters was great, and Ichiban is worthy of filling Kiryu's place as the protagonist. Launch titles were pretty barren for the Series X|S, but Like a Dragon was a timed next-gen exclusive and debatably the best launch title for either system in 2020.