The title sequence is an oft under-appreciated art. Rather than merely being a means of presenting a game's title and developer, title screens can utilise visuals and audio to do a number of different things. Some title screens are designed simply to set the tone of a game, some are more narrative driven, while others act as a form of tutorial devised to impart how the game is played. They also have the potential to colour our opinion of the game itself. First impressions are everything, and the title screen, as the gateway to the game itself, will usually be the first element that we are introduced to. It is for that reason that games which effectively convey their mood and tone from the outset will be remembered all the more fondly for it. The following are my Top Ten Title Sequences. 10 – Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
I've always appreciated the amount of work that Retro Studios (and in particular Kenji Yamamoto as composer) put into the Metroid Prime title sequences. What makes Echoes the most successful of the bunch, however, is that it plays on your experience and knowledge of the Metroid series, utilising sounds and images which are evocative of the Metroid creatures, which gives the whole opening a heavy tension. Only later does the player realise that the creatures they're seeing in the title sequence are not in fact Metroid, but rather the deadly Ing. Also, how frigging cool does the Metroid Prime logo look in black? 9 – Mario Paint
The only truly interactive title screen on the list, Mario Paint's opening is almost a game in itself. Introducing the cursor controls right from the beginning was a great idea, and allowed players to become familiar with controls before they even really started the game. It also doesn’t hurt that the music is catchy and you can make Mario do some pretty funny stuff. Just make sure you don't click on the falling star. 8 – Super Mario Bros 3. (All-Stars Edition)
Perhaps one of the most recognisable locales in gaming, the Super Mario Bros. 3 title screen, with it's red curtains and black and white tiled floor, has been burnt into a whole generations subconscious. Taking the character select screen from Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA) and expanding upon it, the Bros. 3 title shows Mario's universe to be not so much a self-contained world as it is an elaborate stage show. It also does a great job of teaching the basics of the game, showing how to jump on enemies, how to use the Raccoon tail and of course how to kick a shell. In retrospect, watching the sequence with Mario and Luigi gives credence to Miyamoto's recent claim that he had tried to include simultaneous co-op long before NSMB Wii. 7 - Xenoblade Chronicles
Sometimes I would simply not start the game just so I could hear more Piano. Xenoblade's title sequence tells you quite alot about the game itself. It's emotional, overwrought even, but also manages to be epic and pretty at the same time. 6 – Secret of Mana
Right from the beginning you know that this game is going to be special. The first thing that you hear is a beautifully digitized whale song, followed by the gut wrenchingly pretty title theme composed by Hiroki Kikuta. We then see our main heroes standing in awe at the foot of the Mana Tree as flamingo-like birds fly overhead. It's a title screen which for some may be a little too poetic or pretentious, but most Secret of Mana fans will agree that it does a great job of setting the mood for the adventure which is to follow. 5 – Super Castlevania 4
Much as with the previous choice, this is another title sequence which I feel sets the tone of the game perfectly. The brooding music of course brings alot to the sequence, but so too does the attention to detail in the animation. As the camera pans up we see creatures and insects crawling from the Castle's very walls and for a brief moment glimpse the shadows of Dracula's minions on it's surface. It's a great scene which tells you everything you need to know about Castlevania. 4 – Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Opening upon Majora's Mask in the shadows was inspired. It tells you straight away that this is not Ocarina of Time: Part 2. Instead of being introduced to something familiar we're presented with this frightening and alien mask, followed by the ominous laughter of the Happy Mask Salesman. Much like the game itself, this has no context. We then see Link seemingly in several places at once, quietly observing the residents of Clock Town going about their daily routine, perhaps a subtle nod towards the games time-travel mechanic. Meanwhile, as the townsfolk sleep, Skull Kid, Majora's Mask and their celestial stooge conspire to destroy the world of Termina. It's an incredibly eerie opening, but one which fits the games subject matter. 3 – Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Everyone loves the Ocarina of Time title sequence, right? Well, this is like that, but better. Much as the title sequence from Ocarina of Time focused on showing off just how big Hyrule Field was, Twilight Princess revels in showing off Hyrule's breathtaking vistas. As Epona gallops faster and faster the camera eventually falls behind. When it does catch up neither Link nor Epona are anywhere to be seen, replaced by a solitary wolf howling at the setting sun. Having waited for this game for so long, seeing these images over Koji Kondo's sombre but beautiful score really brought it home. The Legend of Zelda was back. 2 – Mega Man 2
As we have seen with Secret of Mana and Twilight Princess, some title sequences have the potential to be poignant or touching. On the other end of the scale, however, are title screens like that of Mega Man 2, which are all about getting the player pumped. It opens down in the streets with a rather mellow and unassuming piece of music, but as the camera ascends so does the tempo, climbing higher and higher, all the while becoming increasingly frenetic, until... ♫ Weeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr♫. There he is! It's Mega Man! Standing heroically on top of a skyscraper, his synthetic hair blowing in the wind. Which is great, but what really sells it for me is the blistering guitar riff and the late title card. Classic. 1 – 1994, Nintendo Presents...
The first thing we hear is the screech of the infant Metroid. As the camera pans across a nearby terminal a woman’s body can be seen lifeless on the floor. The cries of the Metroid continue, but it has now become intertwined with another sound, the sound of someone's breathing equipment. Perhaps part of a protective suit. The sound echoes and reverberates, but in a way that is metallic and solid. The infant is revealed to still be within it's chamber; another much more formidable creature has perpetrated these murders, but to what end? This is how we're introduced to Super Metroid. Community Suggestions Final Fantasy 6 (suggested by
Oblivion) - Dark clouds are on the horizon. That's what the opening to FF6 says to me. When the lightening flashes across the screen and the organ begins to play, it really sets an ominous tone for the epic opera that is about to unfold.
Scribblenauts (suggested by
azeke) - Can a title a screen truely be as good as the game itself? It can when they're one and the same. Scribblenauts lets you get straight to the fun part before you've even technically left the title screen, by letting you experiment with words to see what's possible. As with Mario Paint this offers a good primer for the game to follow.
Harvest Moon 64 (suggested by
NWR_insanolord) - This is the first time I've seen this. My immediate thought was 'Who turned Geno into a real boy?' and soon after 'Why is Captain Olimar dressed in a red suit and hat?'.
Metroid Prime (suggested by
ejamer) - I could only seem to find a static image with the title screen theme, but luckily that's the best part about it. Composed by Kenji Yamamoto this piece of music has stuck with even after all these years. It's incredible.
Ocarina of Time (suggested by
Da Jarvis) - A classic. It's a great title sequence first of all because it gives you an idea of the scope of the game, as Link rides through an idyllic field, with Death Mountain in the distance, down the imposing walls of Hyrule Town, past Lon Lon Ranch. It really gives a sense of scale. Plus, it doesn't hurt that the music is great.
P.S. I went with the prettier version
Battletoads (suggested by
Morari) - I agree. Great track. It does kind of bring back memories best left buried though. *shivers at the thought of speeder bikes*
Quake (suggested by
Morari) - You'll just have to do with the theme music from what everyone agrees is the best version of Quake released on any platform.
Super Mario 64 (suggested by
Ian Sane) - Have you ever thought Mario was so adorable you wanted to pinch his cheek? Well, Super Mario 64 is the game for you.
Halo (Suggested by
Da Jarvis) - I don't have much to add other than to say the soundtrack for this game significantly raised the bar.
Braid (Suggested by
Da Jarvis) - I'm not a huge fan of this game, but no one can deny that it's cold open, which is part title screen and part tutorial, is a great moment made all the more memorable by some fantastic music.
God of War (Suggested by
Da Jarvis) - Having been unable to find the one you're referring to I dug a little deeper and was shocked to discover that God of War is more 'classic' that I originally thought.
Ballblazer (Suggested by
MegaByte) - That's pretty incredible.
Sonic the Hedgehog (Suggested by
MegaByte) - Does anyone else think Sonic is a little too accusatory? First of all he furrows his brow and then he waves his finger at you as if to say 'nah, don't even think about it!'. What's that guy's problem?
Bonk's Adventure (Suggested by
MegaByte) - Interesting.
Super Mario World (Suggested by
MegaByte) - As with the SMB3 this title screen does a pretty good job of demonstrating the sorts of things Mario is capable of. Great music also.
Super Mario Kart (Suggested by
MegaByte) - PUSH B!
Wario's Wood (Suggested by
MegaByte) - Any Pixies fans out there think this music ripped off 'Velouria'?
Chronotrigger (Suggested by
MegaByte) - This is a great one. The sound of the pendulum swinging is really evocative.
Yoshi's Island (Suggested by
MegaByte) - Unfolding like a child's storybook this title sequence really shows off the art style. At the time the rotating sprites were also pretty impressive.
A Link to the Past (Suggested by
MegaByte) - Seeing those Triforce pieces fall into place has been burned into my memory. A link to the past, however, actually has three parts to it's title sequence. There's the Triforce scene, the title screen and then the opening sequence. Three openenings, three pieces...hmm.
Wind Waker (Suggested by
MegaByte) - Like the game itself, Wind Waker's title screen was a breathe of fresh air. It also, however, does a good job of establishing the location of Outset Island from...well...the outset.
MGS4 (Suggested by
MegaByte) - Ominous.
World of Goo (Suggested by
MegaByte) - I had actually forgotten about this one. It's a good one.
Cave Story (Suggested by
MegaByte) - One of my favourite video game tracks of all time. Great choice.
Catherine (Suggested by
MegaByte) - This is a weird one.
Pikmin 2 (Suggested by
MegaByte) - This just missed my top 10.
Tetris DS (Suggested by
MegaByte) - Another great one. Isn't it amazing just how easy it is to appeal to Nintendo fans?
A Boy and his Blob (Suggested by
MegaByte) - I love this game.
Parodius Da! (Suggested by
MegaByte) - So...there's that.
Wave Race 64 (Suggested by
MegaByte) - I can attest to the fact that this used to be impressive. Now? Not so much.
Brutal Legend (Suggested by Pixelated Pixies) - As a teenager I was huge Tenacious D fan. As a result I still have a residual fondness for JB and loved this title sequence.
Topic: Top Ten Title Screens (Read 4582 times)
