The best classic game music and more
This one. Right here.
You see that? That's damned brilliant. The way the music builds up to the takeoff and before you know it, you're nothing more than a sparkle in the distance. But wait, that's not it. The moment the screen changes from into to "Left #" is the exact moment the music changes ... and it's such a GOOD piece too. F*** I love Blaster Master.
What's your guys' favorite openers?
The first one that comes to mind is No More Heroes' opening scene. Yeah, it's crass and yeah, it's bloody, but it pretty much epitomizes the game and Travis' personality. The part where Travis says, "I know a lot of gamers out there don't have much patience" is such a nice little jab at casual gamers that can't hang. Man, I love that game.
What are Metroids doing in Blaster Master?
The first one that comes to mind is No More Heroes' opening scene. Yeah, it's crass and yeah, it's bloody, but it pretty much epitomizes the game and Travis' personality. The part where Travis says, "I know a lot of gamers out there don't have much patience" is such a nice little jab at casual gamers that can't hang. Man, I love that game.
I found the intro to No More Heroes to be too abrupt. I could have used some more explanation of how Travis stumbled into the assassination business. Maybe it's explained later in flashbacks? I haven't finished the game.
Cool poll! I've got three right off the cuff:
Metal Gear Solid 2
Still the best Metal Gear opening yet. Gregson-Williams' rendition of the Metal Gear Solid Main Theme is absolutely riveting here, and the montage of in-game cinematics and the visual interpretation of the game's story theme (i.e. the progression of the information age) is brilliantly portrayed. I still get goosebumps when "Produced & Directed By Hideo Kojima" flashes on screen and the musical crescendo hits at 2:35.
Final Fantasy VIII
To this day, I find Squall and Seifer's duel to be an engaging watch. When that blade comes crashing down onto Squall's head...... damn boy, the shit just hits the fan right there.
Devil May Cry 3
Dante's one hell of a fun, crazy bastard here. Gotta love him.
Interesting poll. Some nice picks so far, and yeah, Blaster Master's opening really gets the work done, haha.
There are so many great game openings, its hard to choose one. But the one that immediately comes to my mind is Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. Its so brutal and epic, and it really gets the "betrayal -> revenge"-motif running like a red thread through the LoK series across. Its more impressive on a big screen with better sound, the first time I saw it, I was speechless.
Silent Hill 2 also deserves mention. The game starts out very downbeat and low-key, and just starts building and building from there. In all it's modesty, the opening scene manages to strike a fitting note of desolation and apprehension.
No mention of Vagrant Story so far convinces me that I'm the only sane member here.
I'd normally not care about Tales games but Destiny had a great anime.
All good picks, especially FFVIII & DMC3. DMC has always been stylish and that was no different. The thing I like best about Blaster Master's opening, is that it happened after you hit the "start" button. You're barely given enough time to collect yourself and WHOOSH you're off!
I was thinking about another favorite, when I almost couldn't believe that I passed this one up: Chrono Trigger (bah, sound quality). Right after you enter your name and select either "active" or "wait" for your battle system of choice, you're treated to a flock of seagulls/doves (whatever) flying high above the sky. In the distance the opening ceremonies for Guardia's Millenial Fair are taking place. Celebrations abound. And then... fade to black. You can hear Leene's Bell in the background. "Crono... Crono..." still gives me goosebumps. This is another example of just how much music can make or break a game/scene.
Speaking of Chrono Trigger, has anyone seen the new ad for it in the latest Game Informer? I'll have to scan it in, but it's a black page with the words "Good Morning Crono," in the middle. F*** YES. ...and, to further solidify its awesomeness, they recognize that HIS NAME IS CRONO. Not Chrono.
This probably no surprise:
The anime opening for Wild Arms w/"To the End of the Wilderness" in the background. Still grabs me today like I did in 1997 even after playing FFVII first. That's one of the things Alter code:F did wrong, ditching art direction of the original when it was so intergral to my enjoyment of the original. Also, the video they used in A:CF was no where as good as the one in the original.
Runner up would have to be the opening for disc one of Wild Arms 2. Just seeing KnightBlazer on the peak of a rocky crag and seeing Ashley alone (when he really isn't alone) just melts my heart.
No mention of Vagrant Story so far convinces me that I'm the only sane member here.
Word up, son.
Secret of Mana - The opening that made me an RPG fan.
Deus Ex - I always liked this opening. "Or better than kings... Gods!"
Soul Edge - Still the best FMV opening ever.
I'm sure there are more, but those are the ones that came to mind first.
A 3rd vote for Vagrant Story.
I really loved Suikoden III's opening anime as well. Great quality anime (made me wish they'd made a series) and an awesome song really got me psyched to play the game.
A 3rd vote for Vagrant Story.
Make that four. When that one staff credits screen appears just as Ashley cuts the rope to the gate and it slams shut, ohhhh boy did I get chills. "Climax of the Graylands Incident" really makes that opening though.
Runners up: Silent Hill 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty.
-Mike
Count me as 5th for Vagrant Story. I still see it from time to time just because it's that damn good. I also agree that Sakimoto's score there really sets the mood for that entire scene.
Shadow of the Colossus gets one from me. It's so evocative and dreamlike; yet, it leaves you hanging and even while you admire the scenery, by the time Wander and Agro approach that *beautiful* bridge, my heart's fallen out of my chest. Kow Otani also outdid himself with the music.
Soul Edge - Still the best FMV opening ever.
Aw hell, how could I forget this one! Totally. Is it just me or is the edited version of "The Edge of Soul" used in this video better than the full-blown version?
A lot of good ones have already been called up, I'll add some personal favorites that haven't been taken yet.
Tomba!
My most favorite opening theme ever. I'd watch this 3 or 4 times over while I played.
PaRappa the Rapper
"Phew, Jet Baby was really awesome!"
Devil May Cry 4
DMC3's intro is a hoot, but I love this intro, too. The music's beautiful and gives the typical DMC intro a distinct feel.
Mario Kart Double Dash
Not especially deep, but I will say this: Catching this intro in passing makes me want to play the game straight away. That's gotta count for something.
Megaman Legends
The first 48 seconds of this one. I can recite this from memory, and do a pretty decent Tiesel impression, if I do say so myself.
The opening anime FMV synched with that J-Pop tune always made me proud to show off Rockman X3 on Saturn with additional hopes of one day having an anime series to follow.
Neo Contra also has a killer opening of every overproportion.
Can't forget T.M.N.T. on NES: I like how it profiles each turtle using their weapon with the signature Konami sound effects and music.
Some great choices here. I hadn't seen the FFVIII intro since back in the day and it still rocks. And, of course, the SH2 one is a favourite. Here are just a few off the top of my head:
FFXI - I never actually played this game but the intro came on a dvd with the soundtrack and I absolutley adored it. I think it's wonderful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEFwe9mu8Tk
Gun Griffon - An old forgotten Saturn one. Remember that this was the very early days of 32 bit and cd prerendered intros, so something like this just blew me away. Looking at it now, there's not a huge amount to it but something about the look and especially the timing still gets me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-NfEMajDBI
Guardian Heroes - Another Saturn one but entirely different. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdiHAx3jm6U
Lastly, Sonic CD. One of the best intro sequences ever and the animation is fantastic, especially the animated backgrounds. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWuNtHV8fAM
Is it just me or is the edited version of "The Edge of Soul" used in this video better than the full-blown version?
No, I think it's better too. It's because they cut out the fat or whathaveyou. The original song repeats more sections in order to cover the original 4+ minute length. The FMV version is just over 2 minutes, but it's 2 minutes of pure dynamic awesome.
- Sol-Feace (Sega CD) - This was one of the first games I played on the Sega CD. I'm still impressed with it.
- Final Fantasy Tactics - When you see the gold "FINAL FANTASY TACTICS" logo coming into view, and you hear the music at that point... Man, that gets me ready every time I see it.
- Ninja Gaiden 2 (NES) - Yes.
- Strider (NES) - Another favorite. I can't find a video that has just the intro in it; you can just watch the first part of this one.
Ninja Gaiden 2 (NES) - Yes.
Oh hell, yes... the cut scenes in these games just brought them to life.
I've thought of a few more:
Contra. Nothing says 80's action flick like a 5-second sound byte complete with the sounds of exploding grenades in the background! Even after that, the music totally fits in with you being dropped off via helicopter and then running and gunning your way past alien scum. A great one.
Castlevania. Even though Simon looks skittish when he's walking up to the gate, the music does a great job of conveying the dark atmosphere and eveything ties together nicely. Maybe it's just me, but when Simon's looking through the gates at the silhouette of Dracula's castle, it almost feels like he's hesitating a little. (maybe it's the end of the music, who knows?)
Man, does Konami know its stuff or what! (or... used to...)
Final Fantasy VI (so atmospheric, particularly the cliff scene and opening credits)
Panzer Dragoon Zwei ("It is an ominous light.")
Nice picks for FFVIII and Soul Edge as well.
Since you guys already listed most of my favorites, I'll say the Suikoden II intro...mostly because of the music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f4eGQ9MIWM
I'm also partial to the Persona 3 intro. Stylized visuals + Engrish lyrics = win?
Ha, bump for posterity I suppose.
Valkyria Chronicles. Sakimoto does it again!
Tales of Symphonia's US opening really hits it for me. Love that sweeping Sakuraba music. Much more than the Jp opening, with that vocal track.
Sonic CD's and Chrono Cross's openings still send shivers down my spine. Oddly enough, I'm also a really big fan of NHL 2001's opening.
Always liked the anime Rockman X3 for Saturn (or PS), Japanese version because the UK version's music was lame.
Hmm
Chrono Cross is high up there for me......CastleVania 64 is most excellent too.
I think at the end of the day I really enjoy some Megaman X6 cheesiness.
I want to know, want to know da Ansa!!
Always liked the anime Rockman X3 for Saturn (or PS), Japanese version because the UK version's music was lame.
Megaman X4 had kick-ass music, for both versions. Hard to say what I liked better.
Shadow of the Colossus.
The beautiful music and the gorgeous graphics of the demo movie, and then after starting the game, at the end of the opening sequence the game seemlessly moves into gameplay, with you right in front of the altar, looking down at the princess, blinding light shining in through the windows...
Magnificent.
Couldn't find the opening cutscene, but here's the opening demo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4UvBI9vADc
I don't know why, but I've always fancied the opening for Thousand Arms. I think it's the combination of Hamasaki's uplifting Depend On You and the majestic feeling of flight that makes it so idyllic.