As games evolved and their mechanics became more involved and complex, especially during the transition to 3D and during the fifth and sixth console generations, tutorials became a somewhat necessary staple to help ease new players into the action.

While tutorial levels aren't as common as they once were thanks to a somewhat standardised control scheme and approach to 3D movement, tutorials can be a memorable part of a game as they are often the first experience a user can have, or maybe even the last if done wrong - see Driver on the PS1. A good or bad tutorial can truly make or break a users first impression of a game.

Throughout the years there have been some truly great tutorial levels such as the iconic world 1-1 in Super Mario Bros to The Great Plateau in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Or how about Croft Manor in the early Tomb Raider games which guide you through a literal training ground and let you trap your own rattly butler in a walk-in freezer?

What are some of your favourite tutorial levels or the ones that you remember the most for good or for worse?

 

[KeeperCP1]

My favorite tutorial on a game would have to be on Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
In the tutorial, which takes place in the multiplayer hub named Giddy Park, you play as a plant in Dave Manor. A Sunflower named Major Sweetie teaches you key parts of the game, for example using the Reward-O-Tron, by putting plushes who give you missions in multiple areas. When you complete a mission, a plush would explode and you would get a prize.

 

[impeeza]

Arcades had luttle "tutorials" on his demo modes and game description.

But the New Rally X first level is a goid tutorial

 

[ArtisanHyren]

This is a crime against humanity. NO ONE mentioned WARIO LAND 4!!! You have literal graphics telling you how to use every single move in his arsenal. No dialogue boxes, and no cutscenes until they are necessary (basically entering and exiting). The chest in the middle has to be jumped on to get the Diamond instead of opening it first. Exiting the level with the Keyzer and then hitting the Frog Switch, then using what you learned to get out. If you were a tool you would fail it. Just can't avoid how well it was implemented.
And the Artisan realm in Spyro 1 teaches that gliding further means you have to move the joystick forward while gliding. Enemies can't hurt you, there are Gems and Dragons to release. Even teaching Spyro to explore switches like the one to the flight level. However, it's the biggest downside was not introducing every mechanic like supercharging and gliding all at once. It's more of a slow burn of the things you get to advance in. However, this is a kids' game so yeah it's not like having an unfair difficulty curve is why I think it's bad. I just wish there were areas to experiment first.

 

[dudeguy2022]

The Dark souls tutorial isn't the best with the messages telling you what to do, but I absolutely love how the game gives you a completely overpowered boss to fight against and expects you to run away, but rewards you with a powerful weapon if you fight it early.

 

[Axido]

The tutorial levels I like the most are the ones that feel nothing like tutorial levels at all. No text, no pictures, just you, the world and the subtle hints that make you figure out what to do intuitively. Whenever a game needs a written tutorial for something, it's doing something wrong.

 

[nxwing]

It's been mentioned before but the opening highway stage on Megaman X is the perfect tutorial stage

 

[Phearoz]

Loved the Maple Story starting area <3

 

[Crazystato]

Worst would have to be the game "Driver" tutorial for me.

 

[Blythe93]

Fallout 3's tutorial level was decent enough for me. What I loved the most were Warcraft 3 tutorial levels. Narrator led me across the map through the missions in decent detail.
It's a shame that Fallout 1 and didn't have a tutorial level, I had to look up on YouTube to see how to even start the game so that I don't die as frequently as I used to.

Not sure if it counts but I loved Stronghold 2's Sim Campaign. It felt more like a tutorial than anything, introducing various scenarios available in the game. Really well done, I loved replaying that one, recreating my castles, fixing other lords' castles, etc.

Also, for me, The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild seemed like a nightmare to get into since it's one of the first games I played on a controller for a longer period of time. Tutorial pop-ups were helpful, but I sadly didn't pay much attention to them so I often forgot what I needed to do in order to do what I wanted in-game (draw a bow, draw a sword, jump, sheathe weapon, etc.). Most of the time I ended up pressing what I didn't want to. Thank God that muscle memory is a thing so it's no longer a problem. Practice makes perfect, right?

 

[eyeliner]

The first level of Super Metroid

 

[barrettloganj13]

I really like Pokemon Sun and Moon. Shame it was one big tutorial and no game.

Not true

 

[Dark_Ansem]

Kingdom Hearts 1/3, Zelda OoT, Baldurs Gate (all 3, yes, even Irenicus Dungeon - but only the first time), Planescape Torment, Oblivion, Super Metroid.

 

[HeartfeltDesu]

My favorite tutorial on a game would have to be on Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
In the tutorial, which takes place in the multiplayer hub named Giddy Park, you play as a plant in Dave Manor. A Sunflower named Major Sweetie teaches you key parts of the game, for example using the Reward-O-Tron, by putting plushes who give you missions in multiple areas. When you complete a mission, a plush would explode and you would get a prize.

Objectively fantastic post because Battle for Neighborville is actually a super hype casual Hero-Shooter and it doesn't get the love it deserves.

 

[Aserl]

I always appreciated the tutorial boards from Mario Party. It's even possible to play on some of them via modding!
Also Tutorial from FNF is genuinely a good song I don't care what anyone says

 

[gnmmarechal]

RuneScape's tutorial island.

 

[finnwilson]

I like tutorial levels in game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

 

[KeeperCP1]

Objectively fantastic post because Battle for Neighborville is actually a super hype casual Hero-Shooter and it doesn't get the love it deserves.

This game is very fun! I played it for 1 year on my switch

 

[HeartfeltDesu]

This game is very fun! I played it for 1 year on my switch

Unbelievably based, the Switch is the best version of the game for removing microtransactions and giving you free access to all Battle Passes.