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

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 two of this expanding list continues to bring the excellent staff rolls. Click on the game title to see the credits sequence described, and for the first part of this series of articles, click here.

Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

We kick things off with a game I talked about in SuperPhillip Central's top ten list of the best platformers on the Wii U from yesterday. Super Mario 3D World delights as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad make their way back to the Mushroom Kingdom through the very same clear pipe that transported them to the Sprixie Kingdom in the first place. Along the way home, they see various characters from throughout their adventure, such as various rescued Sprixies, the helpful water creature Plessie, cute rabbits, and even disappointed, defeated Boom Boom, Pom Pom, and a bottled-up Bowser. All this occurs while a sensational big band theme plays makes this one terrific staff roll sequence.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64)

After reliving the same three-day cycle over and over again, though not as many times as Bill Murray had to relive Groundhog Day at least, Link finally defeats Majora's Mask and saves the land of Termina. After some exposition to tidy up loose ends, the credits of the game start running. We see a peaceful Termina, comfortable in the present and hopeful for the future, with multiple scenes showing the denizens enjoying their newly saved lives. We see the organ grinder playing to a full house in the Milk Bar, we see the father and daughter outside of the Music Box House celebrating their lives together, and we see the wedding of Kafei and Anju at the very end. It's a wonderful recap of the lives of the people you, as Link, helped save.

Final Fantasy IX (PS1)

Speaking of recaps, here's a literal one with the credits sequence of Final Fantasy IX. It hits some emotional highs, showcasing CG moments from Zidane and the player's adventure throughout the game. It certainly helps that the two themes that coincide with these moments are absolutely sensational. The first is Melodies of Life, a beautiful ballad that uses the melody of the world map theme. The second is simply Final Fantasy, the main theme of the franchise that plays in most of the mainline games up to this point. The ending, where Zidane and Dagger's two different worlds combine into one, is a powerful one, as is the glowing, rotating crystal that forms the Final Fantasy IX logo adds up to a worthwhile end to the game.

Super Smash Bros. Melee (GCN)

We move from two credits sequences that are emotionally empowered to a credits sequence that is its own game. Most of the Super Smash Bros. games feature interactive staff rolls where you can mess about with the names of crew members displayed on the screen. What many consider the most memorable of these credits sequences is the one from Super Smash Bros. Melee. It features a first-person view of the player flying through a sector space with flying names coming from all directions. It's possible, as this video shows, to hit all of the names. Since players see this sequence after every Classic mode run, it can either be zoomed through by holding a button, or one can try to hit as many names as possible.

Banjo-Kazooie (N64, XBLA)

There are actually two ending sequences for Banjo-Kazooie, one focusing on the enemies of the game, after completion of Grunty's Furnace Fun game show, and this second one that is played after defeating Gruntilda. This latter one is the one we'll focus on, as it not only shows a parade of supporting characters and bosses, but it also displays the names of the development and production team behind the game. The names are read in the voices of the characters currently shown on screen, each given nicknames such as Eveline "Twinkles" Fischer and Chris "Chomper" Peil, for instance. I love it when games show off their cast, and Banjo-Kazooie's setup is perfect in this regard.

God Hand (PS2)

Now from a comical game to an even more comical credits sequence. You can tell that Clover Studio (rest in peace) had a lot of fun working on God Hand. This is especially apparent in the incredibly goofy and unapologetic in its cheesiness ending credits, helped immensely by the '80s-esque vocal theme played during it. I mean what else can you say about a song that with lyrics that go, "dragon kick your ass into the Milky Way. (Milky Way!)" The credits feature clips from the game's cutscenes, but it also shows the cast shaking their groove thangs like crazy. It's just a balls to the wall ridiculous staff roll, and I, as well as many others, can't help but love it.

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What credits sequences from games would you like to see in future installments of Let the Good Names Roll? Hit me up with some suggestions in the comments below!

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

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 one of this expanding list will definitely bring some excellence. Click on the game title to see the credits sequence described.

Super Mario 64 (N64)

Not only do you get a magnificent and catchy theme from Koji Kondo to go along with the credits of this first game on this list, but you also get a wonderful overview of each and every course Mario and you jumped, punched, kicked, and in some courses, flew through, with Super Mario 64's astounding staff roll sequence. If you have a second controller plugged in, you can use that controller's analog stick to pivot the camera around during each course overview, giving you a special look at each level of the game.

Mario Kart 64 (N64)

Nintendo definitely liked to show off its jump to 3D with the Nintendo 64's software library. The track overview of Mario Kart 64 is just another way Nintendo did just that. Featuring an incredibly epic theme that remains one of my personal favorite staff roll themes in all of gaming, Mario Kart 64 shows all sixteen new tracks within the game, from the beginning where it shows Luigi Raceway and Moo Moo Farm to the conclusion where Banshee Boardwalk and the stunning Rainbow Road are showed.

Final Fantasy VIII (PS1)

Squaresoft spared no expense with their creativity at the credits of Final Fantasy VIII. Showing Squall's party through the lens of Selphie's camera was an often humorous scene. With shots of Quistis and Irvine, the latter trying to get the former to loosen up to little success, Irvine taking over the camera, pointing it at some girls to flirt with them (to Selphie's disapproval), Zell consuming large quantities of food, choking in the process to everyone's fright, and a final shot of Rinoa raising a finger and smiling at a mysterious someone, these shots to go along with the well known Final Fantasy theme made for a special ending to the game.

Resident Evil 4 (Multi)

With Resident Evil 4, the terror is finally over after Leon and Ashley escape via jetski.... or is it? The credits sequence features haunting music and a showing of art showcasing the villagers' lives before, during, and after the "Las Plagas" parasite infection. At the beginning, the villagers go through their innocent daily lives, then we see villagers getting injected with Las Plagas, turning the quiet village life into total Hell. The accompanying music alters itself when this event occurs, making a peaceful tune change into a highly foreboding piece. The credits sequence nails the tension of Resident Evil 4, and quite possibly makes for a scarier time than the entirety of Resident Evil 5 and 6. ...Possibly.

Star Fox 64 (N64)

Star Fox 64 was marketed, at least in the United States, as a cinematic gaming giant. This was mostly in part due to the significant amount of dialogue and action sequences within the game. All of this gave Star Fox 64 a grand movie-like feel. Nothing would end this game better than a credits sequence deserving of a blockbuster, and this was exactly what Star Fox 64 had. Featuring camera views of Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad flying alongside the Great Fox after a mission well done on Venom, the crew heads back home to Corneria to be greeted by General Pepper and the Cornerian Army. After refusing the general's request to join the Cornerian Army, the four members of team Star Fox rush along the plains with a heavy sunset in the background. The Great Fox rises from the horizon, and the game's credits are complete.

Mega Man X3 (SNES)

In this last example of a fun and memorable staff roll, sometimes the actual staff of the game isn't even mentioned. Instead, they're replaced by the cast of the game. With Mega Man X3, this is exactly what you get. Offering an awesome synth rock theme alongside Mega Man X and Zero running through the streets of a futuristic city metropolis, the cast of the game is given star treatment, showing each Maverick's name, power level, and picture. It is a bit odd to see the staff of the game completely uncredited in this sequence, but it makes for a memorable roll all the same.