Editor's note: There's too much Square Enix stuff on this list for my tastes. Yes, their stuff always looks fantastic, but I don't know that their content is always all that great. That aside, Mike has put together a pretty solid group of intros. I'm now going to cry and follow him on Twitter per his instructions... - Aaron

It's time again for the ground breaking series that Demian Linn once described as, "revolutionizing the top-x list industry."Â It's time for:

The Obligatory Top Arbitrary Number List!

This time, we'll be looking at the best five-or-so opening video cinematics. Hell, let's make it seven. The opening cinematic is crucial to setting the tone of a game. This can be done with an introduction of the story, a flashy montage set to epic music, or with a whole lot of awesome CG.

I asked all of my Twitter friends for their suggestions, but I'm sure I'm missing a few favorites. If you're upset your favorite intro isn't here, cry about it, then follow me on Twitter. If you suggested something to me that I didn't end up using, it was probably because I thought your suggestion was boring and stupid.

Â

Oh no, a game that came out recently? How could I, clearly clouded by this game's recent release, judge this amongst much more prestigious and nostalgic peers? Because it's awesome.

The animated video that plays in the beginning of the game perfectly captures the career of the Beatles, from their touring days as the most desirable group of mop-headed Brits in the world, to their psychedelic recording days at Abbey Road studios.

All of that great Beatles music doesn't hurt, either; especially when things culminate in a crazy march of elephants and other weird shit, all near the edge of oblivion, only to stop as the Beatles triumphantly pose as the final chord from "A Day in the Life" plays. Then... fade in the logo. Awesome.

Number 6: Dissidia: Final Fantasy

Â

Oops, I did it again. Another game that came out in the last few months. But hey, Final Fantasy games always have great looking intros, and fighting games always have great fight montage intros. You combine the two, and you get one awesome intro.

I mean, seeing practically every major villain and hero from Final Fantasy duke it out in a CG extravaganza is my definition of cinematic euphoria. It's like watching Advent Children, without the angst and talking.

Number 5: Super Smash Bros. Melee

Â

I have already established that fighting games have awesome intros, especially when they're crossovers. Well, if we ignore the Capcom Vs. series, what better fighting game crossover franchise is there than Super Smash Bros?

Before Super Smash Bros. Melee, we had not seen very many Nintendo characters in glorious CG. Melee changed that, with an epic intro set to pulsating orchestral music, featuring the Nintendo gladiators battling it out or otherwise looking heroic. It all ends as the music swells, the announcer screams the game's title, and the start menu slowly appears. Perfect.

Number 4: Kingdom Hearts 2

Â

Like I said, Square Enix typically does a good job with the CG for their top franchises. The original Kingdom Hearts had an okay intro, but it was missing "something." It wasn't until I saw the Kingdom Hearts 2 intro that I realized that "something" was CG Donald and Goofy kicking Heartless ass.

The whole intro plays as a great recap of the events of the first Kingdom Hearts and Chain of Memories, with plenty of flash and visual metaphors that I don't really understand. Basically, everything that makes Kingdom Hearts great.

Number 3: Metal Gear Solid 2

Â

It seems almost simple compared by today's standards, but the scene of Snake walking across a rainy bridge was incredibly striking. It's also worth mentioning that Metal Gear Solid 2 may very well had been the most anticipated game ever at that point, which made the later protagonist bait-and-switch all the more amusing. (Editor's note: I want to stab Raiden in the face)

The shot of Snake landing on the tanker, with his stealth-camo sparking and going on the fritz, triumphantly revealing our hero, is pretty iconic. I should know, I have to see it every time he enters a match in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Number 2: Final Fantasy 7

Â

Aerith's face, the long zoom out, Midgar city, the long zoom in, and the train. This sequence is etched into the minds of any gamer who played Final Fantasy VII.

Not only was it visually impressive, but it blurred the line between the cinematic and gameplay, catching the attention of gamers everywhere in the process.

Number 1:Â World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

Â

Blizzard has done a lot of great-looking CG intros. The original World of Warcraft had a great montage of characters and action, while the Wrath of the Lich King's intro was a more story-focused affair. The Burning Crusade has a nice balance, features a few bits of narrative delivered from series favorite Illidan, and it also has the prettiest-looking character montage of all time.

Also, we go the whole "YOU ARE NOT PREPARED!" bit in there, which has become a rallying cry for Blizzard fans. I must admit, I still get chills watching this video when I see Illidan spread his demon wings against the pale-blue moon... thing.

That's the list. Please be sure to share some of your own favorite gaming intros. If you include a convenient URL, I promise to look at them.

-Mike Minotti (still jobless, way past the intro)

See this post and more on my site: Give Mike Minotti A Gaming Journalism Job.