This year has been full of amazing video game announcement, gameplay, and cinematic trailers. Here are Game Rant's Top 10 Best Video Game Trailers of 2016.

Game trailers are one of the most effective marketing tools for developers, since just a few minutes worth of video can drive hype and excitement to overflowing levels within the gaming community. Throughout this year, gamers have been entertained by some of the most impressive trailers ever released.

Like most gamers, our team at Game Rant has enjoyed many of the games released this year, and looks forward to the games set to release in the next year. Much of that excitement spurs from the impressive trailers that have been released over the last 12 months. To commemorate the best and most notable set of trailers released throughout 2016, here are Game Rant’s Top 10 Video Game Trailers of 2016.


10 Battlefield 1 World Premier Trailer

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Electronic Arts and DICE broke from the current first-person shooter trend and opted to send players back in time rather than into the future of warfare. Battlefield 1 has been a huge success for the publisher and developer, and continues to garner impressive player numbers across all platforms.

Battlefield 1’s success didn’t start when the game launched in October. Rather, it started when EA released the game’s announcement trailer back in May. From the gritty, brutal action, to the powerful rendition of The White Stripe’s Seven Nation’s Army, this is one trailer that incites incredible emotion within any gamer that watches it. Even now, seven months after the trailer's release, it still has the ability to spawn goosebumps for viewers.


9 God of War E3 Gameplay Trailer

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God of War is easily one of PlayStation’s most successful franchises, so it comes as no surprise that the gaming giant is looking to bring the series to the PlayStation 4. During E3 this year, Sony opted to announce the newest God of War game with a lengthy and emotional gameplay trailer.

The trailer breaks from the franchise’s hardcore action and slows things down a bit, allowing viewers to see the softer side of the series’ protagonist, Kratos. The seasoned warrior instructs his son in the art of hunting, weaving together guidance and discipline as only a parent can. The trailer has PlayStation 4 gamers excited for the next chapter in the God of War saga, and for the new story arcs that may generate from the game.


8 Death Stranding Reveal Trailer

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One of the most unique yet bizarre trailers of the year was Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding Reveal Trailer at E3 2016. The unsettling trailer opens with a quote from poet and author William Blake about holding infinity in the palm your hands. From there, viewers are treated to a cryptic sequence involving Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus and an infant child.

At this point, gamers should expect nothing less than the bewildering and disconcerting trailer from Hideo Kojima. While the developer’s past titles can get a ways out there, there’s no arguing with the fact that his games are highly acclaimed and provide incredible storylines and experiences for players. With this as an opener, there’s plenty of hype already building around Kojima Productions’ first game away from Konami.


7 Uncharted: The Lost Legacy Announcement Trailer

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To kick off this year’s PlayStation Experience, Sony shared a trailer that saw a woman, dressed in a hijab, traversing a middle-eastern city at night. It wasn’t until the end that PlayStation fans learned what it was, when two characters from Uncharted 4 were revealed. The trailer announces Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, a standalone DLC experience for Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.

Naughty Dog has had a stellar few years, with most of the Uncharted series seeing strong reviews, including Uncharted 4, which Game Rant gave a perfect score to. It comes without surprise, then, that PlayStation 4 owners are excited for the opportunity to tackle more of the Uncharted universe with a new title from the developer.


6 The Last of Us: Part 2 Announcement Trailer

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Speaking of Naughty Dog, the developer is celebrated for many incredible video games, none more so than 2013’s The Last of Us. Since that game debuted, gamers have been clamoring for a sequel.

Finally, at the end of PlayStation Experience 2016, the developer revealed the announcement trailer for The Last of Us: Part 2. The second game in the series takes place five years after its predecessor, and will follow Ellie, who played an important role in the first game. While the title is still in early development and a couple years from releasing, gamers around the globe are excited to know it’s coming and will undoubtedly live up to the high standards set by Naughty Dog.

5 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild E3 Trailer

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Since its humble beginnings on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986, The Legend of Zelda has grown to become one of the most recognized and highly-acclaimed franchises in all of gaming. Naturally, gamers look forward to each new addition to the series with excitement and anticipation.

Despite first being announced in 2013, and facing multiple delays that have set it back two years, gamers are still excited for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. With the Nintendo Switch set to release in March 2017, Nintendo fans will have the opportunity to play the new Zelda title on either the Wii U or the new console-handheld hybrid. Hopefully, the open-world Zelda game lives up to the years of hype it’s been building.


4 DOOM Fight Like Hell Cinematic Trailer

This year’s DOOM made a huge splash in the gaming industry, receiving strong reviews from gamers and critics, and selling well both in stores and digitally. In preparation for the game’s release, id Software released a handful of trailers, including its incredible one-minute Fight Like Hell cinematic trailer.

Fight Like Hell perfectly captures the fast-paced, over-the-top gruesome and explosive action in DOOM. Those who have played the title know there’s little time to rest between each encounter with terrifying and powerful enemies. While many gamers were preparing for upcoming shooters Battlefield 1, Titanfall 2, and Call of Duty: infinite Warfare, the Fight Like Hell trailer put DOOM on the map for many first-person shooter fans.


3 Final Fantasy 15 Omen Trailer

Despite its handful of shortcomings, Final Fantasy 15 has been a resounding success for Square Enix. The game’s story, characters, and environment are all compelling and interesting, and do a great job pulling players into the fantastical world.

The Omen trailer introduces players to the many wonders of the Final Fantasy 15 world, including the game’s incredible combat and storyline. All-in-all, it’s a powerful trailer that feels every bit like Final Fantasy should on current-gen consoles.


2 Gears of War 4 Tomorrow Trailer

Gears of War has always been known for emotionally impactful trailers, and the Tomorrow trailer for Gears of War 4 is no different. The trailer offers a look into the life of JD Fenix, who must take on the calling of his father 25 years after the events of Gears of War 3.

Mixed with Disturbed’s rendition of Sound of Silence, and the trailer fits very well into the long line of impressive trailers for the franchise. The trailer is a great introduction to the game, as it’s the start of a new era in the Gears of War universe. This era is likely to continue, too, as the game received strong reviews and continues to sport a large player base.


1 Nintendo Switch Announcement Trailer

The next big thing for Nintendo is it’s upcoming console-handheld hybrid device. The Nintendo Switch will allow gamers to play in the comfort of their home, or take their gaming with them wherever they go. While there’s still a lot left to be revealed about the Switch, with more details to be released in January, the trailer easily built initial excitement for the Switch.

Nintendo is taking a big risk with the Switch, especially considering its new flagship device will have less power than the PlayStation 4. That said, Nintendo is looking to recapture many gamers who have drifted to the mobile gaming space, and the Switch could prove to be very effective in driving gamers back to a Nintendo console.


What do you think about our list of the year’s best trailers? Are there any 2016 trailers you’d add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!