Most Shocking Reveals in Game Trailer History

15 November 2025

Let’s be real—there’s nothing like sitting through a game trailer, mostly vibing to the music and graphics, and then—BAM!—a curveball so wild it knocks your socks off. Whether it's a beloved character making a comeback, a surprise collaboration, or a plot twist that rewires your brain, some game trailers don’t just announce—they explode onto the scene.

In this post, we’re diving into the most shocking reveals in game trailer history. These are those jaw-dropping moments that had gamers pressing rewind and screaming into the void, “Did that just happen!?”

1. Final Fantasy VII Remake (E3 2015) – The Revival We Didn't Dare Hope For

If you were around during E3 2015, you probably remember the collective gasp that hit Reddit, YouTube, and every gaming forum on Earth. Square Enix dropped the Final Fantasy VII Remake trailer—and hearts literally stopped.

Why was this moment so shocking?

Because fans had been begging for a remake for YEARS, basically since the PlayStation 2 era. After some brutal teases and fake-outs, many thought it was a pipe dream. But boom—Cloud’s glowing Buster Sword slid into view, and the internet melted.

> It was like meeting an old friend, only this time, they’re rocking a next-gen wardrobe and a new combat system.

2. Keanu Reeves in Cyberpunk 2077 (E3 2019) – “You’re Breathtaking!”

Cyberpunk 2077’s trailer had plenty to offer—a futuristic dystopia, high-tech warfare, and killer vibes. But no one saw it coming when Keanu Reeves stepped out of the shadows as the legendary Johnny Silverhand.

And then... he literally walked on stage. In the flesh. The man, the myth, the Matrix legend. Fans lost their minds.

Oh, and let's not forget the now-iconic fan shout: “You’re breathtaking!” To which Keanu threw it right back—melting gamers' hearts in real-time.

> It was one of those rare crossover moments when Hollywood and gaming didn't just shake hands, they high-fived and hugged it out.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 (Teaser 2019) – Dark Zelda Vibes?

Nintendo doesn't drop bombs often, but when they do, they go big. The Breath of the Wild sequel teaser at E3 2019 was less than two minutes long—but it was dripping with eerie, almost horror-like tones.

Zelda and Link exploring a cryptic underground lair? Ganondorf’s dried-up corpse twitching back to life? This. Was. Unexpected.

The trailer’s vibe was a major shift from the light wonder of the first game. It left every fan wondering: “Are we getting a horror-Zelda crossover?”

> It was like opening a fairy tale and finding a Stephen King chapter stuck in the middle.

4. God of War (2016 Reveal) – The Rebirth of Kratos

Picture this: You’re watching a new fantasy game trailer, cool visuals, a mysterious narrator, and then... a familiar growl. Kratos walks out of the shadows, now bearded, older, and somehow more badass than ever.

Fans went nuts.

Why? Because after the end of God of War III, Kratos’ story seemed done. Finished. But here he was, now in Norse mythology, with a kid in tow and a brand-new outlook—less rage monster, more “Dad of War.”

> It was like watching your favorite action hero go through therapy and come out the other side with emotional depth and a battle axe.

5. Metal Gear Solid 2 (2001) – Wait, Who’s This Guy?

Metal Gear Solid 2 has arguably the biggest bait-and-switch in trailer history.

The trailers hyped up Solid Snake as the main character. Everyone was pumped. Then the game drops and—SURPRISE—you're playing as Raiden for most of it.

At the time, fans were confused, even mad. But looking back, it was a genius move. Hideo Kojima pulled off a plot twist that hit like a stealth takedown.

> Think of it like ordering a steak and getting sushi—you’re thrown off at first, but it’s still delicious... just unexpected.

6. Halo 3 (E3 2006) – “Finish the Fight”

Microsoft knew how to make an entrance at E3 2006. The trailer opens with a seemingly desolate battlefield, Master Chief steps into the frame, the music swells, and—boom—a massive alien structure lights up in the sky.

Suddenly, every Xbox fan on Earth had chills.

This was the first real look at Halo 3, and the tagline “Finish the Fight” hit hard. The trilogy was nearing its epic conclusion, and fans were not ready.

> It was like your favorite band announcing their final album—exciting but bittersweet.

7. Silent Hills: P.T. (2014) – From Demo to Devastation

P.T. (or "Playable Teaser") appeared out of nowhere and immediately became one of the scariest game experiences ever. But here’s the kicker—after finishing the horrifying demo, players discovered it was actually a teaser for Silent Hills, created by none other than Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro, and starring Norman Reedus.

Mind. Blown.

Then Konami killed the project. Yup, still hurts.

> This was the trailer equivalent of finding a golden ticket... only to have the chocolate factory burned down the next day.

8. The Elder Scrolls VI (E3 2018 Teaser) – Just a Logo, But Still...

Bethesda dropped arguably the emptiest, most hype-inducing trailer ever—just a sweeping landscape and a logo: "The Elder Scrolls VI."

That’s it.

And yet... it was all fans needed. Skyrim had been out for nearly a decade, and this tiny teaser was basically a promise: more is coming.

> It’s like being handed a map with no destination—mysterious, vague, but still thrilling.

9. Smash Bros. Ultimate x Everyone (E3 2018) – “Everyone is Here!”

Let’s talk pure fan service. Nintendo quieted the room with a new Smash Bros. trailer, and by the end, every character—yes, everyone—from previous titles was confirmed to return.

Snake? Back. Ice Climbers? Yup. Pichu? Even him.

Fighting game fans haven’t had such a unified moment of joy since, well... ever. It was the equivalent of your high school reunion, but only with people you actually like.

> It wasn’t just a game update. It was a manifesto.

10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Debut Trailer) – From Niche RPG to Global Hit

When CD Projekt Red debuted The Witcher 3 trailer, the studio wasn’t a household name yet. But that trailer? Pure cinematic gold. Gritty, stunning, and oozing dark fantasy vibes.

Fans knew the franchise had something special, but this trailer put Geralt on the map. It felt like watching a Netflix series before Netflix even had one.

> It was the “glow-up” reveal that showed the world—this game was no longer cult; it was king.

11. Red Dead Redemption 2 (Reveal Trailer, 2016) – The Hype Rode In

Rockstar knows how to tease, and when they dropped the Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer, the Western world held its breath. Gorgeous visuals, understated narration, and that haunting music—it was enough to send fans galloping to YouTube.

No flashy reveals. No wild action scenes. Just tone, atmosphere, and the promise of storytelling on steroids.

> It was like Sundance got a cowboy reboot.

12. Resident Evil 7 (E3 2016) – VR Terror Unleashed

People expected another bombastic Resident Evil. Instead, Capcom delivered a first-person horror demo that felt more like an indie psychological thriller. It turned out—it was Resident Evil 7.

This shift was massive. From action shooter to survival horror roots—all from a first-person perspective and playable in VR. Goosebumps, anyone?

> It was like your favorite action movie suddenly became a haunted house experience.

13. Bayonetta 3 (Game Awards 2021) – She's Back, Baby

Fans had almost given up on seeing Bayonetta again. Then, years of silence later, she struts into a chaotic battlefield—new hairstyle, same sass.

And the best part? She breaks the fourth wall, reminding us she knows exactly how long we’ve been waiting.

> It was like seeing your favorite diva make a surprise appearance at a sold-out concert.

14. Death Stranding (E3 2016) – What Even Is This?

A naked Norman Reedus. A ghost baby. Invisible monsters.

When Kojima dropped the Death Stranding trailer, no one—not even the most hardcore fans—had any idea what was going on. And somehow, that made it impossible to look away.

It was confusing, cryptic, but unforgettable.

> It was like watching a dream you forgot you had—strange, beautiful, and oddly compelling.

Final Thoughts

Game trailers aren’t just advertisements—they’re theatrical events. Moments like these remind us why we fell in love with gaming in the first place. They surprise us, hype us up, and sometimes even break our hearts (looking at you, Silent Hills).

Whether it’s a comeback, a twist, or a total genre shift, the best trailers do one thing above all—they make us feel. And let’s be honest: That feeling is what keeps us coming back for more.