10 Terrible Video Games With Awesome Openings

1. Sonic The Hedgehog (2006)

Sonic 06
SEGA

Sonic’s early 3D output was at least a divisive affair. Some fans found lots to like about the two Adventure games and Sonic Heroes whilst others would say they were merely average. Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 changed everything.

For context, this was before the “Sonic cycle” of growing hype and utter disappointment, and early looks at the HD reboot for Sonic were extremely exciting.

Booting the game up greets players with the kind of cutscene that caused fans' hearts to swell. It felt like the new era of Sonic had begun. The graphical fidelity is so high and even today it all still looks incredible. The introduction of the bustling Venice-like city of Soleana, Princess’ Elise nightmarish vision and the coming of Eggman felt to fans like the Disney level leap that Sonic had been waiting for.

The blue blur’s arrival feels exciting and even now makes you want to sit up straight and play this wonderful game.

If only what followed it was anything like it. Instead, as is well documented, we have a notoriously glitchy game that nearly killed the franchise. The look of Sonic 2006 is fine but it doesn’t rise to the potential of that opening cutscene in no way, shape or form.

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Coming from a content creation background that now spans over two decades, Psy cut her teeth on personal video production and community radio. Originally joining the team as a writer and presenter, she added video editing duties to her responsibilities over time and became the longest-standing editor of the irreverent gaming show Tues Your Own Adventure. Psy has worked on many previews and reviews, long-form editorials (either her own, or supporting as an editor), as a frequent quizmaster and more. Praised for the two-pronged attack of her hard work ethic and light-hearted editing style, Psy is otherwise known as a font of retro video game knowledge which has caused her to rack up many quiz wins. Outside of WhatCulture, Psy runs First Aid Spray Podcast - a long-running channel that focuses on Resident Evil in all of it's forms. You can follow her on BlueSky at http://psywhite.bsky.social and Instagram at http://instagram.com/therealpsywhite