A cutscene is a short movie-like sequence in a video game where players temporarily lose control of their character to watch an important part of the story unfold. The name comes from the idea of “cutting” away from gameplay to show a scene, like cutting between shots in a movie.

Cutscenes usually reveal key plot developments, introduce new characters, or show dramatic moments that would be hard to experience through regular gameplay. In a game like The Legend of Zelda, a cutscene might show Link discovering a hidden temple or meeting a mysterious character. In Super Mario Odyssey, cutscenes show Mario traveling between kingdoms or confronting Bowser.

Game developers use cutscenes to create emotional moments and advance the story in ways that feel cinematic. A cutscene might show a building collapsing, a character making a difficult decision, or armies clashing in battle. These moments are carefully animated and often include voice acting and dramatic camera angles.

Some games let you skip cutscenes, while others make you watch them, especially the first time through. When games have really long cutscenes, players sometimes joke that they want to get back to actually playing. The best cutscenes feel like rewards that deepen your connection to the game's world and characters, making you care about what happens next.