A killer game is a video game which is so popular that many buy a particular video game console or upgrade their computer hardware simply to play such a game. A killer game is one type of killer app.
Importance
To a video game console manufacturer, having such a game available for its platform is critical to a platform's market success. The failure of home video game systems such as the 3DO, and the Atari Jaguar, as well as handhelds like the Atari Lynx and the Game.com can be attributed to the fact that no killer game emerged for those systems.
Examples
- For owners and operators of arcades, nearly every game must be a killer, because each game is sold with its own hardware. In the early days of video arcades, games such as Pong, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Ms. Pac-Man could be found in every arcade.
- The 7th Guest was instrumental in making CD-ROM drives standard equipment in PCs.
- The game Halo contributed greatly to Microsoft Xbox console sales.
