After making its initial mark on action games when it launched on January 5, 2010, in North America, Bayonetta has since earned the status as a pivotal moment in the subgenre it helped to coin. While the Character Action, or Stylish Action labels have come to have significant overlap with the mainstream offerings of the modern-day industry, the dramatic sense of flair Bayonetta brought to the table wasn't nearly as ubiquitous at the time. Apart from a commitment to edgy theming and fantastical combat, however, the innovative Witch Time mechanic may have become the most influential aspect of this title in the long run.