A video game's opening stage or starter zone has an extremely important role: it sets the tone for the rest of the game. Getting it right is essential. Below, we've collected some of the best-looking and most iconic starting zones, first stages and opening missions.
Green Hill Zone in Sonic
Central Highway in Mega Man X
Welcome to Rapture in BioShock
Contra III Stage 1
Metal Slug Mission 1
City 17 in Half-Life 2
Make Eggs, Throw Eggs in Yoshi's Island
Comix Zone Chapter 1
Ikaruga Stage 1
Post your picks for the most intense, best made and most beautiful first levels below with visual support.
sources: SEGA Wiki, ThePressStartProject, BioShock Wiki, Primeevi's LP, Gustavo Costa's LP, SectorW, Ericthestickman, VideoGamerParadox, kirgeez