LogFAQs > #947864759

12. Super Metroid - MacArrowny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Z4bwdxn_Y

Super Metroid is one of my top 10 games of all time. While this intro pales in comparison to the sense of atmosphere you get while playing the game, its still an outstanding intro, especially for a SNES era game.

Of course, there are two sequences to discuss here, the one that plays on the title screen and the one when you start a new game (which because theyre nominated together, I have attempted to rank together as a whole).

I prefer the menu screen phase of the intro, brief though it is. The ominous music and side-scrolling pan over the environment where the baby Metroid is stored nicely suit the tone of the game. And it creates an almost sci-fi horror tone that makes me think of the Alien movies.

In contrast, the sequence after starting a new game is less concerned with setting the mood than telling a story. Thats not necessarily a bad thing, as it does effectively give us the entire backstory leading into this game. But some of Samus typed narration is a bit dry. And the sole voice acting in the sequence for the line the last Metroid is in captivity, the galaxy is at peace, is rather poor (although to be fair, voice acting in that era was rare and usually bad).

Nevertheless, this part of the sequence still works, thanks in no small part to the wonderful music. Another thing I really like during this sequence is the way you can actually see some of Samus face through the helmet. Its a minor detail, but it somehow adds a lot to humanize her character. The segment also ends strong with the hook of Samus having to return to the base immediately due to a distress call.

I doubt this intro would have ranked so high if not for my strong emotional attachment to the game, but its undeniably a very strong intro for its era.