Let the Good Names Roll: Great Credits Sequences in Gaming - Part Five

The staff roll, otherwise known as the credits of video games. This is where not only do we see all the names of the folks who worked on the game you just beat, but perhaps something special to go along with it, whether it's an overview of your adventure, the cast of enemies in the game, or something else. This article delves into some of the very best and most memorable staff rolls/credits sequences in video game history. From old school classics to modern marvels, part five of this expanding list continues to bring the excellent staff rolls. Click on the game title to see the credits sequence described. Check out all past editions of these periodic looks at great staff rolls with these links:

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Doom (PS4, XB1, PC)

We begin with the explosive 2016 entry in the Doom series, simply titled Doom. Its campaign is a nonstop thrill ride that takes players from the red surface of the planet Mars to the red underworld of Hell while blasting enemies and searching for secrets. Doom's finale brings an awesome credits sequence that showcases fantastic imagery of characters in action poses as the names and roles of the Doom staff enter into the scenes. It's absolutely impressive and just as exhilarating as the campaign itself. ...Okay, maybe not JUST as exhilarating, but exhilarating to watch all the same!

Titanfall 2 (PS4, XB1, PC)

Speaking of excellent FPS campaigns, Titanfall 2 has a masterful single-player campaign that moves from the agile and mobile running, gunning, and jumping as Rifleman Jack Cooper to the high octane Titan battles in the cockpit of BT. When the final mission has been completed, Jack Cooper takes off his helmet and receives a hero's welcome from his fellow soldiers and comrades. Following this is a run-through of the cast doing various poses, showing off each character and who voiced them. Running at nearly ten minutes in duration, lengthy credits sequences usually bore me, but since Titanfall 2's has such interesting visuals throughout it, the minutes almost fly by. Oh, and who doesn't like that tease at the end?

Killzone 2 (PS3)

Though the majority of this game's credits are displayed against the same kind of visuals, various cubes and squares, it's the first minute or so of Killzone 2's credits that amaze. Showcasing some incredible editing and visuals in the form of overlays, overviews of maps, environments, characters, and guns, Killzone 2's credits are a stunning display of technological wizardry. The way everything materializes is damn impressive, and the subdued black, red, and grey color scheme is phenomenal in action. Sure, the rest of Killzone 2's staff roll is not much to talk about, but it surely says something when the credits of the game give such a great first impression that it makes the whole credits package ultimately worthwhile.

flower (PS3)

flower is an artistic delight and an adventure that speaks to its players in numerous ways. The credits are just as mesmerizing as the game itself. It follows the player's colorful flower petals as they waft through the wind, breezing through each staff name. The grassy hills under the moonlit sky offer a soothing, calming, and relaxing display that is almost therapeutic as the flower petals fly through the air, as if they were dancing. The end of the credits raise from the background behind numerous points of light. The whole sequence is a bit surreal but oh so satisfying to sit and play through.

Sonic Generations (PS3, 360, PC)

Sonic Generations was the 20th anniversary game that SEGA's blue mascot deserved. After a string of less of than stellar 3D entries (aside from a select handful), Sonic Generations paid brilliant homage to the blue blur, and so did the game's credits sequence. The staff roll features a visual and audio history of Sonic the Hedgehog, namely the entries and levels portrayed in the adventure. From the original Sonic the Hedgehog's Green Hill to Sonic Colors' Planet Wisp, the full array of levels from the game show themselves off in their original forms from their original games. The medley that seamlessly transitions between each theme is also well done. What you have at the end when all is said is done is a truly notable way to cap off a truly great game.

Mario Superstar Baseball (GCN)

After Mario's windup and pitch in a Field of Dreams-like baseball diamond, we get this rockin' staff roll. And what better time to showcase Mario Superstar Baseball with Major League Baseball back in season! Colorful animated silhouettes perform various actions, such as Yoshi catching a falling baseball with his tongue and Wario diving for a ball too early (and suffering for it with the baseball smacking right into his head), while a cheesy but awesome theme shouting the proclamation of "Let's play baseball!" It's so delightfully cheesy that you-- unless you're extremely self-conscious-- can't help but smile along with and tap your toes to. Let's play baseball indeed.

Let the Good Names Roll: Great Credits Sequences in Gaming - Part Four

The staff roll, otherwise known as the credits of video games. This is where not only do we see all the names of the folks who worked on the game you just beat, but perhaps something special to go along with it, whether it's an overview of your adventure, the cast of enemies in the game, or something else. This article delves into some of the very best and most memorable staff rolls/credits sequences in video game history. From old school classics to modern marvels, part four of this expanding list continues to bring the excellent staff rolls. Click on the game title to see the credits sequence described, and to click these links to see part one, part two, and part three.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)

The first game on this edition of Let the Good Names Roll takes us to a video game franchise that celebrates its 30th anniversary this Sunday, The Legend of Zelda. Its most recent all-new home console entry, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword brought a whole new gravitas to the series with a glorious orchestral soundtrack. The incredibly moving staff roll theme sends shivers down the spine, as the credits show what Zelda and her protector Impa were doing during Link's adventure. Followed by gorgeous views of Skyview, Faron Woods, and more, this epic credits sequence is my favorite of any Legend of Zelda game for good reason.

Vanquish (PS3, 360)

Throughout Vanquish's fast-paced shooter, you're in a third-person perspective. Vanquish's credits sequence turns into a first-person perspective, tasking you with shooting down oncoming asteroids. The asteroids shot down reveal names and pictures of those who worked on the game. Sure, you can just let the asteroids fly by, but not only should the development team get their due time in the spotlight, but you also get points just like you would in-game for participating in this fun staff roll sequence. Each asteroid takes a hit to explode, save for director Shinji Mikami's who takes a handful of shots to bring down its much larger asteroid.

MadWorld (Wii)

"How can you tell which one's the lead programmer? He's the one not getting laid more than the other programmers!" And so John DiMaggio and Greg Proops continue to take on the roles of MadWorld's commentators, Kreese Kreeley and Howard Holmes respectively, dishing out insults like Triumph the Insult Comic Dog on open mic night. The jokes are as off-the-wall and foul as the game itself, but so lovable due to how self-aware they are. MadWorld may not be Platinum Games' best work, but it indeed knows how to make the player laugh, that is if they don't mind some in-the-gutter-style humor.

Viewtiful Joe (PS2, GCN)

Viewtiful Joe was made by many members of who are now part of Platinum Games. It's one of my favorite games of the PlayStation 2 generation, and its creativity and freshness surge through it, from its gameplay to its style, to its humor, and yes, to its credits sequence. The main credits part has Viewtiful Joe performing various punches and kicks in the background while on the side, mock movie posters based off real life films show the various levels. What follows is a cast roll. When the bosses show up, various statistics, often goofy, are shown, such as height, weight, likes, dislikes, and hobbies. What I particularly like about each boss being shown is that the credits theme plays a quick taste of that boss's fight theme when they are on screen.

Double Dragon Neon (PSN, XBLA)

After getting uppercut into the abyss by the game's heroes, antagonist Skullmaggedon breaks out into song as he falls into the abyss. It's a sing-a-long, complete with bouncy ball on the lyrics in this rock opera ending. The jewel on this credits sequence's crown is when Skullmaggedon (voiced by director Sean Velasco (now of Yacht Club Games)) sings the lyric, "here's a medal for your victory." As soon as those words are uttered, an achievement/trophy notification pops up for the player. A well earned credits sequence and a well done song are what you've earned through getting through the competent Double Dragon Neon.

Transformers: Devastation (PS4, PS3, XONE, 360)

If you want even more '80s cheese, then you can sink your teeth into some Transformers: Devastation. In particular, I'm talking about its credits sequence. Complete with pure electric guitar-driven, high octave vocals, and music that feels like it belongs in the old school Transformers cartoon, Transformers: Devastation's credits add to the awesome with some really cool camera angles showing off still shots of battle. While the second part of the credits is average, only showing names on top of footage from in-game cutscenes, the first part is so bodacious that it puts the credits on a whole different level of excellence.