Making an advert for a game or console is almost as difficult as developing the product itself. A misjudged commercial could ultimately decide a game's fate. When done well, though, game adverts have the ability to transcend their purpose, and become as iconic as what they are selling. Here are five examples that got it totally right:

5) GTA III

Our love affair with Liberty City started right here. The graceful tones of “O Mio Babbino Caro”, from Puccini’s opera Gianni Schicchi, mirrored the franchise’s new-found maturity, while the visuals showed off every innovation the game had to offer (Open world gameplay! A Hollywood-worthy plot! A flipping flamethrower!!!) Combine both aspects, and Rockstar’s visions of gangster movie pastiches are fully realised for the first time.

4) Gamecube – Life’s A Game

Very much the underdog of the last generation, this advert was the ideal showcase for what a lot of gamers were missing out on. Underpinned by an unrelentingly exhilarating drum & bass soundscape, each seemingly intangible image perfectly embodies both the Cube’s fine selection of titles, as well as the experience of using the console itself, all the while maintaining enough mystery to send die-hard Nintendoheads apoplectic with excitement.

3) Gears of War

A masterclass in how to flaunt your game’s focal points – superb graphics, post-apocalyptic miserablism, relentless action – whilst creating a work of art in its own right. What makes this advert, though, is the music. Gary Jules’ unremittingly bleak version of “Mad World” reflects Marcus Fenix’s brief moment of respite amongst the wreckage of war, before tackling another Corpser. Dystopia never felt so grim...

2) Xbox – Play More

The intention for this advert was to take an uplifting look at human mortality. However, due to the quite startling imagery found within, hundreds of viewers took objection to it. The ITC upheld the complaints, and the ad was swiftly pulled.

 As a piece of marketing, it obviously failed. However, as an example of how to bridge the gap between advertising and art, creating a genuinely thought-provoking message in the process, it is utterly outstanding.

1) Playstation – Mental Wealth

Before Sony unleashed their grey box unto the world, games adverts were aimed at either the very young or the terminally stupid. By and large, gaming was generally regarded as a frivolous kids’ fad, and its perceived disposable nature was reflected in its adverts. However, with the release of the Playstation, something changed. For the first time, marketers embraced the mature end of the gaming audience, typified by this bold masterpiece from visionary genius Chris Cunningham.

On the surface, a digitally-manipulated young girl lecturing the viewer on the nature of human destiny has very little to do with video games. Nonetheless, dig deeper, and you’ll find the ideal illustration of where gaming was at that point. Finally gamers had gone from patronised stereotypes, to being the target audience of the most thriving industry in the world. We had “landed on our own moon”.

Bizarre, mysterious, and just a little bit terrifying, it was the perfect encapsulation of just how far gaming had come.