What’s your favourite retro game intro (no CGI)

[beakbeak]

I’ve been thinking about how old games managed to do so much with so little in terms creating a strong initial impression. 

 

For me, Axelay is top tier. It really goes big on the classic premise of ‘a lone fighter against an entire army’. The music is ridiculously dramatic too in the most amazing way.

 

 

 

the intros to the stages in the Last Blade series are a masterclass in setting the tone.

[Vespa Alex]

I can remember the attract sequence for Uridium, playing on a 14” TV in Games Workshop in Birmingham with absolute clarity. 

[spanky debrest]

Thunder strikes, an evasive leap, a couple of throwing stars casually deflected back into the void. 

 

 

 

[Yasawas]

This felt epic to me  even on a 14-inch portable running the PAL version with its absurdly small game window. 
 

Honourable mention to Super Street Fighter Ii with the Ryu silhouette. 

[electricmastro]

One of the catchiest intros:

 

 

[DeDeDe]

No contest:

 

 

 

Most of the Goemon games have great intros, but this is the best one.

[Soulstar]

Specifically this version as it’s the one I grew up with originally and contains the dripping blood. 

[thegreathopper]

Kof94 Neo Geo is still great now, come on red!

[Rex Grossman]

1 hour ago, DeDeDe said:

No contest:

 

 

 

Most of the Goemon games have great intros, but this is the best one.

As a kid I had the Japanese version so we’d just make up what they could be saying and try to make it as ridiculous as possible.

[Festoon]

Thunderhawk on the Amiga. Full animation.

 

 

[JamesC]

The MUSHA intro is pretty great:

 

 

 

And the Red Zone intro is really technically impressive:

 

 

I can't believe no one's said Zero Wing yet:

 

 

 

Another favourite is Rolling Thunder 2 - Mainly because of the music:

 

 

 

 

I'll stop now!

[Qazimod]

Despite being massively spoilery, I liked the Chrono Trigger intro when I did my first "proper" playthrough last year. It was like a trailer before internet streaming existed.  

 

Whilst the Mega Drive probably wasn't the best way to experience Syndicate, I did like the moody and cinematic feel to that intro:

 

 

Also the Last Ninja 3 intro was pretty neat at the time, even though it's just Armakuni going off to shuriken someone in the head:

 

 

[Soulstar]

I never really played too much of the game but a mate of mine had this and I’d seen it enough times to appreciate it graphically and the cool intro. I probably did have it at some point on my wildcard device but didn’t get on with the controls maybe. wouldn’t mind returning back to it as I played through Another World just a few years back on ps+ and enjoyed that. 
 

 

[DeciderVT]

Going to cheat and use the fan translated version but it's still one of the most exciting intros/attract modes on the SNES.

 

 

[Tomdominer]

Such atmosphere from a 2d game from 1994.

 

 

[DarhkFox]

Probably..

 

 

[jamesy]

Thunderforce IV has a great intro. Sets the mood perfectly for the madness ahead.

 

 

[Unofficial Who]

Liberation:Captive 2 (CD32)

 

Not FMV (if you play it with extra fast ram the animation outpaces the CD sound) so I think it counts.

 

 

[Unofficial Who]

Quite liked this back in the day too.

 

 

[Festoon]

6 minutes ago, Unofficial Who said:

Liberation:Captive 2 (CD32)

 

Not FMV (if you play it with extra fast ram the animation outpaces the CD sound) so I think it counts.

 

 

 

Neil Morrissey did a voice?

 

I think Tony Crowther was a very interesting gamemaker.

[Unofficial Who]

This is just a basic "here are your character choices" but it still made an impact.

 

 

[Unofficial Who]

Oh! Here's one I bet none of you have seen. Perihelion on the Amiga. The most black metal game ever made.

 

 

[Ran]

I've always had a fondness for this one. First Zelda I played (and maybe first game on my GB). It sets things up perfectly with very little and the music throughout is incredible.

https://youtu.be/E0ErE4l1EKM

[Unofficial Who]

Warning, some flickering in places. The Amiga version because it's the one I owned.

 

 

[Unofficial Who]

Westwood did some brilliant intros at the time.

 

 

[Unofficial Who]

One last one, again some flashing effects.

 

 

[Festoon]

25 minutes ago, Unofficial Who said:

This is just a basic "here are your character choices" but it still made an impact.

 

 

 

That music, man. And obv. I like the art.

[megamixer]

Easy for me: the 3DO version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo. The remixed music has a haunting tone to it, and (as with any version of this intro) it's awesome when the lightning flashes and Akuma comes into view like an absolute boss (just don't ask what that weird tongue flick that Cammy does is all about!!!)

 

 

I also really like the DOS CD-DA version because they really went extra on the heavy thunder/lightning sounds and Ryu's fireball sounds like a warp drive charging up:

 

 

Finally, a bit newer (but still no FMV!), the Marvel Superheroes Vs Street Fighter intro is just pure hype with the building music and completely out-of-control announcer that sounds like he's having the time of his life!

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Castlevania IV and Super Metroid have already been mentioned but the SNES is exactly my era for this sort of thing. 
 

Secret of Mana had a beautiful title screen theme and a moody intro. 
 

 

 

[acidbearboy]

Also, Killer Instinct.