By definition a “Killer App” is any computer program that is so necessary or desirable that it proves the core value of some larger technology. This could be anything from computer hardware, a gaming console, a programming language, software platform, or an operating system. Over the years the video game industry has grown, fallen to pieces and grown again. Repeating this process, a couple times. But the “Killer App” is the missing piece that helps the market grow and profit again. The North American video game crash of 1983 was the largest recession in the industry. Since then there has been a multitude of different Killer Apps for many different systems. To be clear, not all KA on this list are games themselves, but all have increased or helped a company or console sell like wildfire. Que dracarys, here we go.
5. The Legend of Zelda/NES
Okay so remember way back when I mentioned the video game crash of 1983? Well it wasn’t as passive as I made it out to be. This was actually a MASSIVE event that could have easily changed the way video games were viewed in today’s society. Revenues of the industry were peaking somewhere around $3.2 billion in 1983 and then fell to about $100 million by 1985. This crash led to the bankruptcy of several companies that were main producers of home computers and video game consoles. However, it only lasted for a couple years, which may be the reason not many of us remember it. Thankfully, the guys over at Nintendo released the NES in North America right as the crash started to be felt. By 1987 it had become the best-selling console, and its counterpart, The Legend of Zelda (1987) was the best-selling game. This was also the first system to introduce a now-standard business model that licensed third party developers, allowing them to create and release games for Nintendo’s platform. The NES has been at the top of all-time console lists consistently through the years, along with TLOZ. It’s safe to say that without this system and game, my entire life could have drastically changed. Sure, someone else could have created an equally impressive platform and equally impressive character, but I’m really glad it was them. Still trying to get my hands on the Nintendo Classic though…
4. Super Mario 64 & The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time/The Nintendo 64
This was the first console I ever owned and I can proudly say that I own and have played both of these games. Critics around the world agree that Super Mario 64 provided the initial anticipation that led to the eventual success of the 64. This game has been awarded, almost universally, as one of the “Most influential video games.” This game set the standard for what 3D games should look and feel like. One notable aspect of this game is the camera functionality. It was the first 3D game to have the “free camera” feature. Ocarina of Time released a couple years after this and it is easy to see what the gameplay design was inspired by. These two games helped put Nintendo back on top yet again, even with a fierce competitor like Playstation releasing their debut console the same year. Both of these games helped make the Nintendo 64 the classic gaming system that it is today.
3. Halo/Xbox
We all remember when we first saw it. It was huge, clunky, heavy as hell and had that massive controller you couldn’t hold on to even if you wanted to. It was an out-of-left-field console that nobody cared about. Not when the Playstation 2 was coming out. But then we saw him, the man in that sweet looking green space suit. “Have you heard of Halo?” I remember my older cousin asking me when I went over for Thanksgiving. When I started watching him play, Master Chief had already landed on Halo, but I didn’t know that yet, I just knew I had to have it. I looked up at my dad and he must have saw it in my eye because on Christmas morning I woke up to a heavy gift with the same shape as that new Xbox. That’s how everyone felt when they caught their first glimpse of Master Chief and his A.I. Cortana. The game single handedly brought Xbox to the top of every chart. In its initial release, one million units were sold. During the two months after its release, the game sold alongside fifty percent of Xbox consoles. Stephen Curran’s review for Edge praised the game as “the most important launch game for any console, ever.” The only reason the Xbox didn’t outsell the Sony Playstation 2 is because of, well, lets move on to number 2.
2. Playstation 2
For those of you who may not know, the Playstation 2 still holds the record for top grossing video game console of all-time. When you look at what this beast had to offer, it’s not that hard to believe. When it was announced at the turn of the century, the Playstation 2 was the first of Sony’s consoles to offer backwards compatibility for not only its dualshock controllers, but its games as well. Along with this, the system’s software could play CD’s and DVD movies. With a broad video game library to offer, some of which are all-time classics, this system also remained being produced for 13 years. This is one of the longest runs in video game console history. The exclusivity that the PS4 offered with its titles can bring you into the nostalgic “light” real quick.
1. VR…?
The future is here and it’s not leaving anytime soon. Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Playstation all jumped on board first and it’s only a matter of time before that Killer App gets released. But what could it be? Resident Evil 7 is VR compatible and apparently it’s amazing when played that way. But there has been more than a comfortable amount of complaints that VR has yet to live up to the hype. A lot of rumors are speculating that a wireless version of the Oculus Rift will be releasing soon, and once it’s released, more VR companies are sure to follow suit. It remains to be seen where the VR industry will take us in the future, but I’m betting that sometime soon we’ll all get a game that changes the way we look at the industry. The video game world is adapting, and will continue to do so to prevent it from collapsing again.
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