If you're a regular consumer of anime or tokusatsu shows like Super Sentai (or Power Rangers, if you prefer), odds are good you're familiar with the concept of a transformation sequence.
It's when we cut away from the action for a few moments to give a hero a moment to transform into some manner of empowered, or at least costumed state, usually complete with theme music and flashy effects. Video games are no stranger to the transformation sequence, usually either in cutscenes or in brief mid-battle sequences just to put a little extra oomph into the action.
10 The Centurion's Transformation - Altered Beast
While this transformation is a bit on the short side, it absolutely fits the transformation sequence paradigm. When Zeus' resurrected Centurion gathers three spirit balls from the albino wolves, they transform into an empowered human/beast hybrid and do so in a brief-yet-flashy sequence where they let out a mighty roar while surrounded by surging flames. While perhaps a bit simple by today's standards, you can't deny that getting stared down by a beast-man surrounded by fire leaves an impression on you. The Altered Beast transformation may actually be the earliest example of a transformation sequence in gaming.
9 Mega Star Mario - Super Paper Mario
While transformations have long been an integral part of the Mario formula, the majority of them don't really have any kind of ceremony to them beyond a cool sound effect and some quick flashing. One of the lone exceptions to this comes in the form of the pixelated Mega Stars in Super Paper Mario.
When Mario, Peach, Bowser, or Luigi picks up one of these oversized stars, we cut away to a white screen where numerous 8-bit versions of the characters run by, creating black lines. These black lines then draw a gigantic outline of the 8-bit sprite, which solidifies into an unstoppable, invincible titan.
8 The Gullwings' Dresspheres - Final Fantasy X-2
In their search for spheres containing information about the past, the Gullwings receive multiple Dresspheres, which can be utilized on the Garment Grid. These devices are used by Yuna, Rikku, and Paine to perform Spherechanges during combat, effectively allowing them to hot-swap their classes and use different weapons and abilities as the situation demands. All of these classes are accompanied by unique transformation sequences, though the coolest ones are definitely the unique Dresspheres: Yuna's Floral Fallal, Riku's Machina Maw, and Paine's Full Throttle.
7 Joe's Henshin-A-Go-Go - Viewtiful Joe
Viewitful Joe is a pretty obvious nod to the granddaddy of transforming action heroes, Kamen Rider. So it's only right that he utilize Kamen Rider's famous pose and transformation catchphrase, albeit with his own little twists. When the specter of Captain Blue tells Joe to hold his V-Watch aloft and shout "Henshin," Joe ad-libs with a "Henshin-a-go-go, baby!" Odd choice of words, but it works all the same, with the heroic guise of Viewtiful Joe appearing on him along with powerful sounds and flashy special effects, all culminating with his signature billowing pink scarf.
6 Groudon And Kyogre's Primal Reversions - Pokemon Omega Ruby And Alpha Sapphire
When Mega Evolution was first introduced in the sixth generation of Pokemon games, it gave certain compatible Pokemon a transformation sequence during which they were encased in a cocoon of energy before emerging in their Mega Evolved states with a mighty cry. These were awesome, for sure, but even cooler than the regular Mega Evolutions were the Primal Reversions utilized by Groudon and Kyogre in the generation three remakes.
When they use Primal Reversion, they're encased in a denser, more crystalline cocoon. Everything goes silent for a moment before the symbols of alpha or omega appear, then Groudon and Kyogre emerge with a burst of lava and rain, respectively.
5 The CPUs' Hard-Drive Divinity - Hyperdimension Neptunia
Despite effectively being incarnate goddesses, Neptune and the other CPUs are usually indistinguishable from normal humans. When they access their Hard Drive Divinity through their internal Processor Units, the full force of their godly might is unleashed. In the original Hyperdimension Neptunia, this occurred in the form of a rather lengthy mid-battle transformation sequence in which they change to their godly forms and equip their special armor parts. This became a tradition for the series, with every game utilizing new transformation sequences, plus new ones for the CPU Candidates and the CPUs' NEXT forms Megadimension Neptunia VII.
4 Aile/Vent's Double Megamerge - Mega Man ZX Advent
In both Mega Man ZX and Mega Man ZX Advent, the first time the protagonists Megamerge into their Mega Man forms, there is a brief sequence showing it off, though the presentation on these sequences is a tad limited. However, in ZX Advent, when Ashe or Grey encounter Vent or Aile, respectively, the latter perform their Double Megamerge using Models X and Z in a proper animated transformation sequence, complete with special effects and unique music. These flashy transformations completely blow both Ashe and Grey's initial transformations, as well as Aile and Vent's own transformations from the previous game, out of the water.
3 Joker's Awakening - Persona 5
Whenever one of the members of the Phantom Thieves awakens to their Persona, we're treated to a cool sequence wherein they sign their contract and tear their mask off. Joker's awakening gets special mention, however, as it's the only one in the game rendered in an anime cutscene rather than in-engine.
It's also much more elaborate, hanging on Joker's bloody face post-mask rip for a moment before his whole body is engulfed in spiritual fire, manifesting his Phantom Thief attire and the maliciously dapper form of Arsene behind him. As the very first Persona awakening in Persona 5, it's a tone-setter to be sure.
2 Sonic And Shadow's Super Transformation - Sonic Adventure 2
Super Transformations may have been a thing in Sonic games from early in the series, but out of every Sonic game, few made that transformation as awesome as Sonic Adventure 2. When the Biolizard assumes direct control of the Space Colony ARK to ensure it remains on its collision course with Earth, Sonic and Shadow exchange a brief, wordless look before holding out their hands for the Chaos Emeralds. They focus on the power as the Emeralds swirl around them before soaring into a pillar of light and transforming into their shining gold and silver Super Forms, all backed by the hard rock tones of the game's theme song.
1 The Wonderful Ones' Wonder-Eyes - The Wonderful 101
Of course, when it comes to games that really lean into their transformation sequences, leave it to the game that's a clear expy of Super Sentai. When the members of The Wonderful 101 activate the psychic switches hidden inside their pendants, they transform into their CENTINAL Suits in a mere 3 billionths of a second. That's no fun, though, so for our pleasure, we get a brief glimpse of a darkened stage in the Wonderful One's signature color as they summon their masks and suits, complete with colored smoke explosions and super-exaggerated posing.