Before the seventh generation of video game consoles dropped in the mid-2000s, it was difficult for developers to create games for multiple systems. Each console had its own idiosyncrasies and individuality, meaning that it could be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to publish games for multiple platforms.
Moreover, there's a significant marketing strategy behind platform exclusivity: regardless of whether a game is exclusive to a platform indefinitely or up until a certain time has passed, releasing platform exclusive games frequently boosts sales for the console that the game is exclusive to. Game ports became much more frequent in the mid-2000s and after and several once-exclusive games have been released on multiple platforms.
10 Mass Effect Was Originally An Xbox 360 Exclusive
Originally pitched in 2003 and a fully completed game by 2007, Mass Effect is a huge franchise that's gone on to receive several sequels and spin-off games over the years. Mass Effect was developed solely for Xbox 360, meaning PlayStation fans were out of luck.
The game's popularity quickly earned it a Microsoft Windows release in 2008, and it had sold more than one and a half million copies overall within the first six months of release. It wasn't until 2012 that Mass Effect finally gained a PlayStation 3 port.
9 Chrono Trigger Was Only Playable On The SNES Until 1999
Released for the Super Nintendo in 1995, Chrono Trigger has gone down in gaming history as one of the best JRPGs ever. It's no wonder, then, that it has received several ports over the years. Sony's PlayStation received a port in 1999, but only in Japan.
North American gamers had to wait until 2001, when Chrono Trigger was released as a compilation game alongside a port of Final Fantasy IV. Chrono Trigger has gone on to receive ports for the Wii, Nintendo DS, Windows, and PlayStation Network.
8 Cuphead Was Long Upheld As A Microsoft Exclusive
Heralded as a return to retro-style gaming, Cuphead was released in 2017 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One only. This visually stunning indie shooter pays homage to the days of side-scrolling gameplay, all while presenting crisp imagery and tight controls.
It wasn't too long before Microsoft greenlit Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 ports, released in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Cuphead has received many positive reviews for its unique 1930s cartoon-style aesthetics, challenging gameplay, and grueling difficulty.
7 Viewtiful Joe Started Out As A GameCube Exclusive
Produced by Capcom as part of the Capcom Five, five games announced by Capcom in 2002 to boost GameCube sales, Viewtiful Joe was released in 2003 to rave reviews. A return to side-scrolling beat 'em ups, Viewtiful Joe sports an iconic art style that makes it stand out as unique.
Graphics, gameplay, and challenge level were all praised by reviewers and went on to receive several rewards and nominations from various gaming magazines. Viewtiful Joe was ported to PlayStation 2 in 2004 despite its intended purpose to bring more attention to the GameCube.
6 Ōkami Originally Released On PlayStation 2 Only
Featuring gameplay modeled off The Legend of Zelda, Ōkami was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006. Despite its critical acclaim, the game sold poorly, possibly due to it being one of the last games to release for the PlayStation 2 before the PlayStation 3 was launched.
Ōkami's gameplay is innovative and fun, using a Celestial Brush mechanic to help the goddess Amaterasu save the world from darkness. With such an inventive mechanic based on brush strokes, it made perfect sense that Ōkami eventually received a Wii port in 2008. It also received an Xbox One release in 2017.
5 Sonic Adventure 2 Was Dreamcast's Final Sonic Game
Sega's Dreamcast was suffering shortly after its 1999 launch despite its innovative hardware, including the first-ever built-in modular modem to support internet access and online gameplay. Sonic Adventure 2 was one of Sega's last-ditch efforts to save its console and the game performed well, both in terms of critical reception and gameplay.
Sonic Adventure 2's success on the Dreamcast prompted Sega to release Sonic Adventure 2: Battle for the GameCube shortly after they discontinued the Dreamcast in 2001. The game has gone on to receive ports for the PlayStation, Xbox, and Windows platforms.
4 Kingdom Hearts Had Exclusive Releases On Several Systems
While the original Kingdom Hearts was released for PlayStation only, it went on to make games exclusive to other platforms, such as Gameboy Advance and Nintendo DS. It was only a matter of time, however, until Square Enix would capitalize on Kingdom Hearts' popularity as a franchise and re-release Kingdom Hearts games on multiple platforms.
Sony's PlayStation still dominates the field for Kingdom Hearts games, but some previously exclusive entries in the franchise have also been ported to Xbox One and Microsoft Windows.
3 Final Fantasy X Received An Xbox Port After 18 Years
Originally a PlayStation 2 exclusive released in 2001, Final Fantasy X was ported to other Sony systems and even released on Microsoft Windows in 2016 but didn't receive an Xbox One port until 2019.
Final Fantasy X was one of the PlayStation 2's first titles and took full advantage of the system's significantly upgraded hardware and processing. Known for its cinematic cutscenes and lack of an overworld map, Final Fantasy X set the standard for new Final Fantasy games to come.
2 Crash Bandicoot Was Exclusive To PlayStation Until 2000
Game developer Naughty Dog is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment and they've pumped out some amazing PlayStation exclusive games over the years. One of their earliest hits is the 3D-platformer game Crash Bandicoot, a popular game for the PlayStation throughout the '90s.
Originally produced by Universal Interactive, the first three Crash Bandicoot games were released on the PlayStation only but moved on to third-party developers by 2000. The Crash Bandicoot franchise has been ported or released on several platforms since then, including the Xbox series of consoles.
1 Resident Evil 4 Was Originally Exclusive To GameCube
Capcom's revival of the Resident Evil franchise began with Nintendo's GameCube. Resident Evil 4 is the fourth game in the Capcom Five, a series of games meant to increase consumer interest in the GameCube. Although its development began on the PlayStation 2 in 1999, Capcom ultimately released Resident Evil 4 on the GameCube in 2005.
Several versions of the game were discarded during that period, but the effort paid off, as Resident Evil 4 is one of the most popular entries in the franchise to date. Ironically, Capcom later stated that Resident Evil 4 didn’t fall within their exclusivity deal with Nintendo and released a beefed-up version of the game for PlayStation 2 later the same year, defeating its purpose to increase GameCube sales.