# Memorable Intros to Video Games **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 24, 2008, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042 "2008-06-24T11:43:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/21 "2008-06-25T03:39:19Z")
The [intro to NHL 99](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkdKksI_Fhk&feature=related) is one I like to remember. Part of it had to do with when I played it, but it’s pretty original too. The intros to the EA Sports games with fans or players saying “It’s in the game.” was cool when it started, not quite the same effect now, but still decent. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/22 "2008-06-25T03:58:06Z")
[QUOTE=Drain Bead] I came in here to say this. [/QUOTE] Me tooooooo. Damn, that is awesome. I especially love how it feels spoilery, but once you’ve played the game, you realize nothing in it actually meant anything without the proper context. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/23 "2008-06-25T04:20:58Z")
The intro to almost all Blizzard games past 1995 have been memorable. ---
**Author:** ![bbs2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/24 "2008-06-25T08:23:55Z")
Another vote for pretty much every Final Fantasy game. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/25 "2008-06-25T09:08:30Z")
The opening game-engine cutscene at the very beginning of the Dam level in Goldeneye absolutely blew me away as a kid simply because I had never seen anything even remotely approaching that level of graphics in an FPS up until that point. Ditto for the opening of Final Fantasy VII - the shot of Midgar’s streets and Aeris walking with the flowers - the juxtaposition of weird old-style cars with the slick neon signs of the city threw me for a loop even as a kid and I never knew about the concept of cyberpunk, steampunk or any of the other variations. ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/26 "2008-06-25T10:08:41Z")
The intro to [Planescape: Torment](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgqX82-HRYE) is pretty fucking cool. But I agree that the Dawn of War intro pips it to the post. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/27 "2008-06-25T22:02:59Z")
_Battletoads_, for the NES. Surprisingly cinematic for a fistful of pixels. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/28 "2008-06-26T00:05:36Z")
“War…war never changes…” ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/29 "2008-06-26T09:37:33Z")
[QUOTE=Autolycus] The intro to almost all Blizzard games past 1995 have been memorable. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I was going to mention the intro to [Starcraft](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eflKzcEbLk) and the add on [Broodwar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFIJK2XdkPU&feature=related). ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/30 "2008-06-27T11:58:11Z")
The Bioshock into is quite good. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/31 "2008-06-27T19:58:20Z")
[QUOTE=Pithy Moniker] Final Fantasy VI - Three mechs walking towards Narshe with scrolling terrain and snow blowing across the screen while the opening credits rolled. It’s not so impressive now but when it was new on the SNES, it blew my young mind away! [/QUOTE] I just wanted to call this one out again. I remember playing it for the first time, and thinking, “Holy cow! I’ve played the game for about 15-20 minutes, and I’m just _now_ getting the intro?! Cool!” And the music matches the intro scene perfectly. It was with that intro that I really started appreciating the works of Nobuo Uematsu. ---
**Author:** ![Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spatial_Rift_47)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/32 "2008-06-27T22:46:56Z")
[Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2he5jxOvQZk) [Super Metroid](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls5uo4xidwQ) ---
**Author:** ![Pithy\_Moniker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8dc957/32.png) [@Pithy\_Moniker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pithy_Moniker)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/33 "2008-06-28T04:20:51Z")
[QUOTE=LilShieste] I just wanted to call this one out again. I remember playing it for the first time, and thinking, “Holy cow! I’ve played the game for about 15-20 minutes, and I’m just _now_ getting the intro?! Cool!” And the music matches the intro scene perfectly. It was with that intro that I really started appreciating the works of Nobuo Uematsu. [/QUOTE] [Final Fantasy VI intro](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Aicym43MKs&feature=related) - I think I watched it about a half a dozen times on the night when I first got it. VI wound up being my favorite of the entire series. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/34 "2008-06-28T04:24:03Z")
Starfox…taking a cue from Star Wars. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/d1QzW9hS1oo/hqdefault.jpg "Star Fox Intro") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1QzW9hS1oo) ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/35 "2008-06-28T04:28:33Z")
[QUOTE=Pithy Moniker] [Final Fantasy VI intro](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Aicym43MKs&feature=related) - I think I watched it about a half a dozen times on the night when I first got it. VI wound up being my favorite of the entire series. [/QUOTE] I’m sorry, I just don’t get it. It’s 3 robots walking up a hill. Music is decent. That’s it. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Pithy\_Moniker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8dc957/32.png) [@Pithy\_Moniker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pithy_Moniker)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/36 "2008-06-28T11:01:39Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] I’m sorry, I just don’t get it. It’s 3 robots walking up a hill. Music is decent. That’s it. 😕 [/QUOTE] What you’re seeing is a few minutes into the larger intro of the game. Before this there’s a bit of a setup telling you a tiny bit about who the three people are in the suits. Two are soldiers and the third is a magician whom the soldiers are mind-controlling. Also, what you may not be able to see is the background with the city they’re going to attack coming up over the horizon. It is definitely unimpressive now but for SNES era graphics, this was hot stuff. On top of all that, I live in Alabama and think snow is kind of cool. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/37 "2008-06-28T13:39:41Z")
[QUOTE=Pithy Moniker] What you’re seeing is a few minutes into the larger intro of the game. Before this there’s a bit of a setup telling you a tiny bit about who the three people are in the suits. Two are soldiers and the third is a magician whom the soldiers are mind-controlling. Also, what you may not be able to see is the background with the city they’re going to attack coming up over the horizon. It is definitely unimpressive now but for SNES era graphics, this was hot stuff. On top of all that, I live in Alabama and think snow is kind of cool. 😃 [/QUOTE] Two soldiers are mind-controlling a magician? You’re just making this shit up! 😃 No I can appreciate that the graphics are great for the SNES. I guess I just never “got” those Final Fantasy games. ---
**Author:** ![anamnesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@anamnesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anamnesis)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/38 "2008-06-28T16:29:08Z")
[QUOTE=Max Torque] Mechwarrior 2. I’d link to it, but youtube isn’t responding right now for some reason. [/QUOTE] +1. It can be seen [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X3GD0UnBCk). I personally think that intro set the standard of cinematic game intros in the years that followed. It is very brief, but I can’t remember an intro more intense intro than that prior to 1995. > [@Hirka T'Bawa](#): > > Star Control II had a great intro. Also +1. The [ending to this game on the 3DO](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uofLSzn8o84) is probably my favorite ending cinematic of all time. And mind you, it’s over 15 years old! It’s nothing short of criminal that this cliffhanger ending still hasn’t been followed up with a proper sequel after all these years … ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/39 "2008-06-28T16:50:24Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] Two soldiers are mind-controlling a magician? You’re just making this shit up! 😃 No I can appreciate that the graphics are great for the SNES. I guess I just never “got” those Final Fantasy games. [/QUOTE] Well, the army devised special crowns that mentally subdue the wearer. The soldiers weren’t directly mind-controlling her. Does that make more sense? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2008, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042/40 "2008-06-28T17:45:18Z")
[QUOTE=control-z] I’m sorry, I just don’t get it. It’s 3 robots walking up a hill. Music is decent. That’s it. 😕 [/QUOTE] Perhaps [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C5K0Fi4fyQ&feature=related) will be more to your liking. It’s the opening of the FFVI remake for the PS1. FFVI always blows me away. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-intros-to-video-games/454042.md?page=3)