Unforgettable Game Intros From the Past

16 August 2025

There’s something magical about the first few minutes of a video game. It’s like opening the first page of a book you’ve waited months to read or catching the first scene of a movie that just hits different. But when it comes to certain games from back in the day—yeah, we’re talking the golden age stuff—the intros were absolute masterpieces.

These intros didn’t just introduce you to the game; they pulled you in, smacked you with emotion, dropped your jaw with visuals, or left you humming a theme for years. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive the game intros that grabbed us by the feels and never let go.

Why Game Intros Matter More Than You Think

Before we start rolling clips in our minds, let’s talk about why intros are even a big deal.

Game intros are the first handshake. They're the game’s first impression, its opportunity to scream, "Hey, you're not just going to play me—you’re going to remember me." They set the vibe, tell a bit of the story, and give you just enough taste to keep you hungry for more.

Remember when booting up a game wasn’t instant? You’d sit there, controller in hand, watching the opening cinematic like it was premiere night. That was the moment the game either sunk its hooks or lost your attention.

1. Final Fantasy VII – A Cinematic Revolution

You can’t talk about unforgettable game intros without mentioning Final Fantasy VII. Released back in 1997 for the original PlayStation, this intro changed everything.

How many of us still remember that epic zoom-in from the stars to the bustling city of Midgar? And then BAM—train heist, explosions, mysterious protagonist with impossibly spiky hair? That’s how you open a game, folks.

It was dramatic, it was stylistic, and it had that incredible Nobuo Uematsu score. This was the kind of intro that played like a Hollywood blockbuster but hit you with the storytelling of a novel.

Final Fantasy VII didn’t just kick off an RPG—it kicked off a movement in cinematic video game storytelling.

2. Halo: Combat Evolved – A War is Coming

If Final Fantasy VII was all about the feels, Halo: Combat Evolved was about the epic. Imagine being a gamer in 2001, powering up the original Xbox, hearing that angelic monk chant, and thinking—“What is this?”

That iconic opening sequence set the stage for one of the most ambitious sci-fi sagas in gaming history. The sense of scale, the mystery of the Halo ring world, and of course, Master Chief stepping out of cryo-sleep like an absolute legend—it made our imaginations ignite.

The intro was relatively quiet, but it delivered a colossal punch. It whispered, “Yeah, you’re in for something big,” and then it delivered tenfold.

3. Metal Gear Solid – Stealth Meets Cinematic Masterpiece

Hideo Kojima knows how to grab attention, and Metal Gear Solid’s intro was a masterclass in atmosphere. You weren’t just booting up a stealth game; you were stepping into a full-blown movie.

Remember Snake infiltrating the Shadow Moses facility underwater? The grainy codec calls, the intense music, and that slow, deliberate pacing that just oozed secret operative vibes?

It made you feel like a spy before you even touched the controller. You were there to save the world, but first—you had to sneak your way into it.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – A Fairy Tale Awakens

Some intros don’t need explosions—they just need heart. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of those intros that whispers its magic.

It starts with Navi the fairy soaring through Kokiri Forest, eventually waking up a sleeping Link whose destiny is about to unfold. The piano in the background, the sense of mystery, the childhood awe—it’s all there.

This intro is a love letter to adventure. It tells you, “You're a kid now, but not for long. Pretty soon, you’re going to be a hero.”

Ocarina of Time made intros into storybooks, and gamers turned the pages with wonder.

5. Resident Evil – So Bad, It's Brilliant

Okay, let’s throw in something a little different. Resident Evil (the original, cheesy-as-heck version) had an intro that was… something else.

Live-action actors with dramatic, over-the-top acting and effects that looked like a high school film project. And yet... we loved it.

Why? Because it had charm. It was ridiculous, campy, and totally unforgettable. It was the kind of intro that made you laugh, then scream five minutes later when zombies started popping out of nowhere.

Sometimes, “so bad it’s good” is exactly what makes a game memorable.

6. Chrono Trigger – Time Travel Has Never Looked So Good

Chrono Trigger is a legendary RPG, and its intro deserves just as much praise. Released on the SNES, it didn’t have the luxury of full-motion video or voice acting. But it didn’t need it.

Using sprites, music, and storytelling magic, the intro showed snippets of time travel, hinted at epic battles, and somehow managed to make you feel something right out the gate.

The music alone could give you goosebumps. It was pure 16-bit magic, setting up a game that would span time itself.

7. Kingdom Hearts – Disney Meets Final Fantasy in Dream-Like Glory

This one’s a serious nostalgia bomb. Kingdom Hearts hit us with one of the most surreal yet captivating intros in gaming history.

Who can forget that opening song—Simple and Clean—paired with a dream sequence filled with floating islands, mysterious doors, and shadowy creatures?

It was a fever dream in the best way possible. And for a lot of us, it was the first time we realized video games could be deep, emotional, even poetic. Plus, you knew it was going to be a ride when Goofy and Donald come crashing into your fantasy world.

8. Silent Hill – Fear Before You Even Press Start

If there’s one intro that made you feel uneasy without even picking up the controller, it’s Silent Hill. Forget loud jump scares—this game took the “creep factor” and cranked it to 11.

The intro used eerie music, jarring camera cuts, and cryptic imagery to mess with your head before the game even started. It didn’t scream “horror”; it whispered it in your ear and waited for you to look behind you.

The brilliance here was in the atmosphere. It made you feel like something was wrong—and you had to find out what.

9. Sonic the Hedgehog – Simplicity at Its Finest

Not all intros need story or cinematics. Some just need attitude. When Sonic the Hedgehog appeared on the Sega Genesis, it was pure cool.

You heard that iconic “SEGA” scream, and then boom—there’s Sonic, tapping his foot, arms crossed, looking at you like, “Let’s go already.”

That opening screen was everything. Clean, fast, and rebellious. It told you exactly what the game was without saying a word.

10. Mass Effect 2 – Death and Resurrection in 5 Minutes

The opening of Mass Effect 2 hits like a freight train. You barely start the game, and suddenly—your ship is attacked, you’re watching characters die, and then… Commander Shepard dies too?!

Seriously, how bold is that?

The next thing you know, you’re waking up in a lab with cybernetic upgrades. Yeah. That’s how you start a game if you want players glued to their seats.

This intro wasn’t just cool—it was emotionally jarring. It made you care, made you anxious, and made you wonder what was coming next.

What Makes a Game Intro Stick With Us?

So, why do these intros remain lodged in our memories even years (or decades) later?

It’s not just about flashy graphics or dramatic music. It’s about feeling. These intros made us feel something—excitement, fear, curiosity, awe. Whether through storytelling, visuals, or sheer attitude, they left a mark on our gaming souls.

They also remind us of where we were at that time. Maybe you were a kid on summer break. Maybe you were a college student blowing off finals. Whatever the case, these intros are more than scenes—they’re time capsules.

Honorable Mentions That Still Slay

Can’t go without tipping our hat to:

- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – “Hey, you. You're finally awake.” Chills.
- Bioshock – Plane crash, underwater city, unforgettable atmosphere.
- Red Dead Redemption – Slow, scenic, and instantly iconic.
- God of War (2005) – Kratos leaping off a cliff? That’s how you start an epic.

Looking Ahead—Will Future Intros Be as Iconic?

With technology evolving and storytelling leveling up, today's games have the tools to craft even better intros. But here's the thing—nostalgia is powerful. It gives older intros an unbeatable edge.

Future intros may get fancier, flashier, and more interactive. But will they hit us in the feels like Final Fantasy VII did the first time we saw Cloud jump off that train? That’s the real test.

In Conclusion – The First Steps Matter

Game intros are like the spark before the fire. They’re that first push that takes you from observer to full-on gamer, plunging headfirst into other worlds.

And let’s be honest—we all love a good first impression.

So, the next time you boot up a game, take a moment to appreciate the intro. Because who knows? You might just be watching tomorrow’s classic.