Best Naughty Dog Game Trailers

Summary

• Naughty Dog excels at creating instant hype with teasers or gameplay trailers, crafting emotionally gripping experiences that have earned both fans’ and critics’ acclaim.
• The announcement of Naughty Dog’s new IP,
  Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
  , marks a departure from their established franchises but promises a rich, visually stunning, and thrilling new adventure.
• The studio’s history of delivering iconic trailers, from
  Uncharted
  teasers to
  The Last of Us
  reveals, showcases their masterful ability to captivate and engage fans with upcoming games.

Naughty Dog is not only one of the most acclaimed video game developers of all time but also a master of building anticipation for its titles. With a knack for crafting teasers and reveal trailers that ignite instant hype, spark heated fan discussions, and create an almost unbearable urge to play their games ASAP, the studio has become synonymous with trend-setting projects. Since establishing itself as a cornerstone of the PlayStation family, every Naughty Dog release has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming — offering cinematic, thrilling, meticulously polished, and emotionally powerful experiences that consistently earn universal praise from critics and players alike.

At The Game Awards 2024, Naughty Dog finally unveiled its first new IP in over a decade: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, signaling the end of The Last of Us era that defined the studio for years. At first glance, Intergalactic feels like an exhilarating departure from Naughty Dog’s established style, yet the game promises to retain the studio’s hallmark traits — an emotionally gripping, character-driven epic journey. To celebrate this momentous reveal, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the best trailers for Naughty Dog games over the years, from cinematic montages to jaw-dropping and carefully curated gameplay showcases.

All links to official PlayStation trailers on YouTube are attached to each title for players who want to refresh their memories and relive some of Naughty Dog’s best trailers.

8 Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception — Reveal Trailer

A Charming Rendition Of The Rub’ al-Khali Desert Where Drake Found Himself Lost

Every Naughty Dog reveal trailer feels like a gift to fans, offering a glimpse into new chapters for beloved characters while hinting at the challenges that await them. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception was no exception, introducing audiences to Nathan Drake stranded in the breathtaking yet perilous Rub’ al-Khali desert. The trailer perfectly captured the adventurous spirit of the series while setting the stage for a fresh backdrop filled with mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

The vibe and atmosphere of the trailer are a testament to Naughty Dog’s unparalleled craftsmanship. From the outset, the teaser masterfully establishes the tone, weaving in the titular themes of illusions and deception as Drake faces psychological and physical trials. The final flourish — a quick montage of intense gameplay moments — teases Nate’s new misadventures, leaving fans eager for what promised to be another grand chapter in the Uncharted saga.

7 Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet — Announcement Trailer

The First New Naughty Dog IP In Over A Decade, Featuring An Unexpected Style

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet marks a bold new chapter for Naughty Dog, as the studio steps away from its established franchises like Uncharted and The Last of Us. The reveal trailer introduces a fascinating universe set thousands of years in the future, featuring a distinct retro-futuristic aesthetic with bounty hunter Jordan A. Mun, portrayed by Tati Gabrielle, at its center.

While the trailer keeps much of the story under wraps, it effectively teases some standout features of the game. The colorful, visually striking world is rich with meticulous world-building, complete with familiar brands like Sony, Porsche, Adidas, and DXRacer cleverly integrated into its futuristic setting. The promise of a sci-fi adventure on a distant, dangerous planet is accompanied by glimpses of dynamic melee sword combat, while the atmospheric score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross adds another layer of excitement. Their music, as always, seems destined to become a perfect match for the game’s tone.

However, without the emotional anchor of beloved returning characters, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet’s announcement trailer doesn’t quite pack the same punch as the reveals of Uncharted 4 or The Last of Us Part 2. Those earlier trailers drew heavily on fan connections to established narratives and characters, making their reveals feel momentous. Still, Intergalactic shows great promise, setting the stage for what could become a fresh and thrilling new adventure for the PlayStation 5.

A Subtle And Touching Tribute To One Of The Best Sequels Ever Made

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves marked a transformative moment for Naughty Dog, elevating the studio into the upper echelon of gaming talent and ambition. This exemplary sequel didn’t just surpass the original — it redefined the action-adventure genre entirely, setting a benchmark for games to follow. Leading up to its release, Uncharted 2 was teased through several fantastic trailers, including the iconic reveal featuring a train precariously hanging from a cliff. Yet, the Cologne Gamescom trailer, also known as Fortune Favors, stands out as a masterclass in mood-setting.

This trailer expertly weaves a calming montage of emotional moments with flashes of explosive, adrenaline-filled set pieces. Its use of slow-motion techniques, paired with a perfectly chosen musical theme, encapsulates the heart and intensity of Uncharted 2 in just over a minute. It’s a vivid reminder of the game’s brilliance, and for fans, stumbling upon this trailer is often enough to spark an irresistible urge to dive back into Nathan Drake’s unforgettable journey once more.

The Long-Awaited Revelation Of Nate’s Greatest And Darkest Final Adventure

Three long years after Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, fans were eagerly awaiting Nathan Drake’s next adventure. The anticipation was sky-high, not just because of the gap between titles but also because Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End would be Naughty Dog’s first game for the PlayStation 4, poised to leverage the console’s powerful hardware. When the reveal trailer finally dropped, it was nothing short of a bombshell.

Captured entirely in-engine with a real-time model of Drake, the trailer showcased visuals that were jaw-dropping for the time. It set a noticeably darker tone than previous entries, immersing fans in breathtaking landscapes and gorgeous scenery while teasing an emotionally charged story. The familiar voices of Nate and Sully hinted at a reunion for “one last ride,” effectively pulling on the heartstrings of fans.

The trailer didn’t just build hype; it set the stage for a personal and high-stakes narrative that would test Nate’s physical and emotional limits, forcing him to confront what he’s willing to sacrifice for those he loves. With its perfect balance of nostalgia, tension, and promise of spectacle, the reveal became another iconic moment in Naughty Dog’s history, teasing one of the studio’s most ambitious and celebrated games.

Easily One Of The Best Gameplay Reveals For A New Franchise Ever

After years of exclusively developing Uncharted, Naughty Dog unveiled a new IP that would go on to shape its identity and legacy for years to come: The Last of Us. While the earlier reveal trailers already teased a gripping shift to a darker and more serious tone compared to Nathan Drake’s lighthearted escapades, the uncut gameplay reveals elevated expectations to an entirely new level. Never before had players seen an action game so brutal, cinematic, and viscerally convincing as this tense sequence of Joel and Ellie fighting for survival in the ruins of the United States.

The intensity was palpable, with dynamic combat and enemies reacting in ways that felt disturbingly lifelike — a revolutionary moment in gaming. Even though the much-touted “Balance of Power AI” didn’t fully live up to its dramatic showcase in the final game, this gameplay clip remains a standout. Rewatching it years later, the footage still captures the raw essence of what makes The Last of Us so unforgettable, offering all the context needed to prepare for the unforgiving journey that awaits.

Joel And Ellie Return In This Thrilling Minimalistic Teaser

The unexpected return of Joel and Ellie alone was enough to send shockwaves through the gaming community, but the reveal trailer for The Last of Us Part 2 elevated the announcement into something truly special. Elegant, simple, and deeply intriguing, it managed to reveal so much while holding back just enough, a testament to Naughty Dog’s mastery in building anticipation and connecting with their audience.

The teaser was packed with subtle nods for fans: the Firefly symbol scattered throughout, Ellie’s haunting guitar performance as a now-grown-up protagonist, and a few unforgettable quotes from two of gaming’s most beloved characters. Together, these elements wove a brief yet emotionally charged teaser that delivered pure goosebumps to anyone familiar with the original.

While The Last of Us Part 2 was revealed perhaps too early — more than four years before its eventual release, leaving fans in eager anticipation for a bit too long — the reveal trailer itself is already etched in gaming history. It serves as a shining example of how to respect and build upon the legacy of a groundbreaking original, setting the stage for what would become another unforgettable chapter in Naughty Dog’s history.

Who Says You Can’t Casually Drop The Best Episode Of The Entire Game To Build Hype?

It’s not uncommon for the gaming industry to showcase the most jaw-dropping and polished moments to sell upcoming games, but with Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, the E3 2015 “Sam Pursuit” gameplay footage was both a win and a challenge to live up to. On one hand, the final game delivered a wealth of intense, cinematic sequences like the one shown here. On the other, few moments in the full game could match the sheer spectacle of this chase sequence, which was casually unveiled during the E3 presentation.

Even years later, this ultimate chase featuring Nate and Sam remains unparalleled — not just within the adventure genre but arguably across all gaming. What sets it apart is that this wasn’t a mere promotional trick; the segment plays out in the final game exactly as it appeared during the showcase. It stands as a testament to Naughty Dog’s creative and technical prowess, leaving players and audiences alike marveling at the spectacle unfolding before their eyes.

A Textbook Example Of How To Turn A Game’s Showcase Into A Memorable Event

The best kind of trailers are often those that forego flashy editing tricks and let the game itself shine, seamlessly blending uncut cutscenes with gameplay. This is precisely what Naughty Dog excels at, and The Last of Us Part 2 E3 showcase is a perfect example. It’s lengthy, stunningly crafted, and vividly encapsulates the sequel’s brutal essence — what more could fans ask for? Perhaps only the live performance by the game’s acclaimed composer, Gustavo Santaolalla, which preceded the trailer, further underscored just how unique this experience would be.

The trailer’s brilliance lies in its use of parallel structure, juxtaposing a tender and emotional moment between Ellie and Dina with an intense action sequence where Ellie fights for her life. This duality captures the core of The Last of Us Part 2, making it one of the most impressive PlayStation showcases ever — rivaling even the iconic God of War reveal at E3 2016. Some might say Sony flew a little too close to the sun during E3 2018, but for fans, those were truly unforgettable days.