10 Most Iconic Opening Sequences In Video Game History

3. Doom

The original Doom was a cultural milestone that changed the direction of video game development forever. When millions of people booted up the first episode, titled Knee Deep in the Dead, for the first time they were instantly transported into a world where demons lurk around every corner. The wow effect so many experienced within the first moments of Doom caused a ripple effect that instantly engrained the first level into the annals of gaming history.

For this reason, the very first map, usually referred to as E1M1, has become synonymous with the image of Doom we all have in our heads, even if many might not realize it. Not only did it formally introduce everything people would grow to love about the series for the first time, thus inspiring thousands of future game developers and the creation of countless other games, it also originated a piece of music that is currently so recognizable and beloved that it has now become the franchises signature theme.

This map is all the more iconic simply due to the sheer number of people who played it. Thanks to the shareware model employed by id Software at the time, many a none hardcore gamer found themselves traversing the halls of Dooms first map. For this simple fact alone, its very likely that more people have played the first level of Doom than almost any other game.