GD: Racing Level Opening Sequence Analysis

As our racing level progresses on, we have to start thinking about how we're going to present it! Though many people will probably skip through it, a very important part of our game is the eyecatch matinee at the beginning that will serve as an opening view of the level for a first-time player. We were told to look for inspiration, and so here I am. The best and most consistent opening scenes come from the classic racing game, Mario Kart. Here are some examples from Mario Kart 7:

(for a shortcut, examples can be found at 000:42, 003:01, 005:47, 008:27, and 011:46)

What's great about these level intros is they're not just your basic establishing shots: each single shot not only sets the scene, but establishes the main obstacles of the course. It's atmospheric but it also helps the player understand what's coming up next and prepare for it. The panning is slow and peaceful, as the game itself isn't all that intense, and it gives the player time to soak everything in and come to grips with what the track will be like. It's also a great excuse for Nintendo to show off their beautiful tracks! A lot of the things shown aren't necessarily fully visible from the race track, so its a good time for the level designers to show off their craftsmanship!
So that's what I'd like to do with my opening camera shots: establish the areas of interest and show off the level so the player's interest is piqued and they're prepared for the level ahead.