Summary
Video game demo discs came in many forms, with some of them being packed in with magazines like PlayStation Underground or the Official Xbox Magazine. Others came in unique, in-store offers, as kids who went to Pizza Hutin the 1990swere treated to demos ofMetal Gear SolidorCrash Team Racing. One avenue of game demo distribution that was just as exciting was when it was packed with another title.
Whether it was a studio packaging an anticipated game demo with another by the same creator, or a demo for a game in a similar genre, developers in the 1990s and 2000s were keen to give players an in-depth look at what they had coming. Demo discs of any kind are a non-factor anymore, as the rise of digital distribution means that developers can instantly release a slice of the game on a storefront and call it a day. But these were sources of untold riches back during the fifth and sixth generations of consoles, as they introduced the gaming world to some of the industry’s greatest games.
Set in Sengoku-era Japan and based loosely on the stories of a swordsman named Miyamoto Musashi, this fantastic action RPG is one of the PS1’smost intriguing hidden gems.Brave Fencer Musashiwas a highly entertaining action RPG, but packaged inside was theSquaresoft on PlayStation 1998 Collector’s CD Vol. 2, the main highlight of which was a demo forFinal Fantasy 8.
Final Fantasy 8was still roughly one year away from release, so having a fresh look at what was next for the ravenously popular JRPG series was a treat. It focused on the escape from Dollet sequence in the final game, featuring some different music and raising hype to a fever pitch.
God of War: Ascensionlaunched when Kratos' story was in a bit of a strange place, as the trilogy had ended and his future seemed uncertain. WithAscension, Sony Santa Monica opted to go into Kratos' past and chart his origin story. Ultimately,Ascensionwas a fairly fun experience that explored the theatrical beginning ofKratos and his path towardvengeance in the firstGod of War.
It was fitting, as owners ofAscensionwere able to witness the beginning of another great Sony franchise in the process, as they could use a voucher included to download a demo forThe Last of Us. Showcasing Joel, Ellie, and Tess as they make their way through a crumbling building, the demo ofThe Last of Uswas just a glimpse at what this phenomenal game would become. It showcased the depth of game design, characters, and storytelling that the final game would become known for.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesiswas developed to fill in an open production slot for 1999, and was initially developed as a side story, but eventually morphed into the story ofJill Valentine’s desperate escapefrom a crumbling Raccoon City. But even more thrilling, packed inside the case of Resident Evil 3, was a demo for Capcom’s other survival horror franchise,Dino Crisis.
Featuring a small section of the game, it was enough to showcase just how thrilling this bold survival horror game was. On an island facility loaded with fierce dinosaurs and danger around every corner,Dino Crisisand Resident Evil 3 shared a fairly close relationship in 1999, as both games included demos for the other and Nemesis even featured an alternate costume for Jill based on the one Regina wears.
2Tobal No. 1 (Final Fantasy 7)
Classic PS1 Fighting Game Came With Demo For Iconic JRPG
Tobal No. 1was one of the PS1’s most overlooked fighting games, as it was one of the pioneering efforts in3D fighters alongsideVirtua FighterandTekken. The smooth, flowing action was a delight to watch, and it even spawned a sequel in 1997 that unfortunately never made it out of Japan. But packed inside Tobal No. 1 was a demo for another game that would launch in 1997, as it included one of the PS1’s most highly sought-after trial discs inFinal Fantasy 7.
Featuring the opening section, where Avalanche targets a Shinra mako reactor in Sector 1, the demo forFinal Fantasy 7also includes a unique text intro that explains the context. It also features a playable party of Cloud, Aeris, and Barret, which is vastly different from the final game. The finished version ofFinal Fantasy 7was still a year away in 1996, and this demo did its fair share to contribute to the worldwide hype that this iconic game would become known for.
Initially beginning development with the Dreamcast in mind,Zone of the Enderswas produced byMetal Gearcreator Hideo Kojima, who brought his trademark flair for cinematic storytelling and rich characters to the table. This brilliant hack-and-slash action game focused on mech combat and a dark, complex story, but the long-lasting impression ofZone of the Endershas always been that it was coupled with a demo for the hotly anticipatedMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
In what is easily the greatest video game demo of all time, the trial version ofSons of Libertyfeatures the opening section of the Tank Hangar, all the way up until the boss fight with Olga Gurlukovich. Showcasing the game’s remarkable focus on physics, tight storytelling, and stealth gameplay, this outstanding demo was one of the key reasons to buy a PS2 back in 2001. It was a glimpse at the mastery of the craft that Kojima had cultivated and led to one of theconsole’s most legendary games.
