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[keltickennedy]

I don't know why this popped in my head during the drive to work, but I started thinking of some my favorite main menu screens in games. Some I dig on a visual level, some have great layout and are easy to navigate.

First up.
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines

I don't know. Nothing really special about it really but that main music, man it got me pumped. I really didn't know much about the game or have ever played the table top. I just remember booting up the game and hearing that track, mysterious and menacing. I was sold. So awesome. http://youtu.be/JPkNYxczCUA

God of War

While all the games in the franchise share the same concept, God of War 3 has to be my favorite. GoW1 is a close second.

Diablo 3

Visually sweet while also being a breeze to navigate. Jump in solo or online with friends with one or two clicks.

Batman Arkham Origins

More recently, Batman AO comes to mind. What could be a better splash main menu for a Batman game than just showing different rotating model stills of The Dark Knight punching M'Fers in that face.


Assassin's Creed

My god, everyone who has played this game knows what I'm talking about. Especially if you played the PC version. So bad. Fortunately it did get better in future games.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

Idolmaster of course!

It also has the best loading screen by the way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2_xFSL5H1o

 

[gngf123]

To be honest, my memory of most actual menus happens to be pretty bad. I remember liking Nocturne's and Persona 4's though.

 

[DJ_Lae]

Metroid Prime, the look and dear god the music.

Trilogy version ruined it.

 

[joe2187]

THE WIND IS PUSHING MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

 

[inner-G]

Love Persona 4 for the BGM.

Love the TV look of its in-game menus too.

 

[Patriot Infinity]

 

[Celegus]

Metroid Prime, the look and dear god the music.

Trilogy version ruined it.

Beat me to it!

 

[theechrisfox]

 

[QuantumBro]

Favorite: Any game directed by Sakurai

Sakurai makes the best menu (not title) screens. I'm on my phone so hopefully somebody can post examples for me. I love how interactive and fun they are.

Nevermind then, confused the two. Favorite menu screens would probably be Valve games and Spec Ops. I love how they change the image as you progress further in the game.

 

[Fracas]

The GOAT.

edit: look at this shit now kittens

 

[timetokill]

Sakurai makes the best menu (not title) screens. I'm on my phone so hopefully somebody can post examples for me. I love how interactive and fun they are.

 

[PeskyToaster]

I love the Batman AO one and that Batman Christmas music is pretty great too

 

[Jamie OD]

Brutal Legend has a fantastic menu screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNhu2_8Kyew

 

[Goldenroad]

Simple. Effective.

 

[obeythed1734]

Obligatory Portal 2 praise.

 

[Robot Pants]

The GOAT.

This is definitely one of the best.

Also not sure if it counts as a MENU screen, but its the opening screen:

 

[Captain Smoker]

Both are perfect.

 

[hushlorentz]

Always loved the Mirror's Edge menu with that theme and the cityscape. Here's a video whynot?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Ky40VCg7M

 

[2+2=5]

Imo the Turrican 2 screen is one the best things ever, it's at the same time a menu, a tutorial and a credit roll, with one of the most awesome music themes of the vg history.

 

[see5harp]

Reach was super amazing, especially with the music. I really like the main menu for Brothers as well, but I hate how long it takes to actually get there, even on PC.

 

[Grieves]

Can't think of a favorite, but the one I hated the most was GT5. I'm sure someone will post a pic of it soon.

 

[Creaking]

Press START button (to give Sub Zero a killer uppercut)

The art's a little cheap looking though.

 

[Kaybe]

Masahiro Sakurai games have stylish and snappy menus. Love them.

 

[Grizzo]

F-Zero X.

You just had to boot the console and bam! You've reached the main menu in less than 3 seconds. Plus dat music. Always gets me pumped when I'm starting the game.

 

[And_Gignac]

came here to post this. Elegant, minimalistic perfection.

 

[kazebyaka]

 

[Papercuts]

I was going to say Metroid Prime but got beaten. Just really neat looking, I like the one in Echoes too.

As for not so favorite...

Ninja Gaiden 3's sideways menu. Something that is like "oh that's neat" for three seconds before you have to actually start using it.

 

[ChuckNyce]

Dat intro theme...

 

[Silky]

Ga-woah! Mahk of da Woahves

 

[kiriin]

More like the beta login screen that got replace but it was done well especially the startup music.

 

[TheFightingFish]

GOAT main menu for me. Here are all the modes. Here are all the scores of your friends. Which one to you want to try to beat? Total perfection for a score attack game like this. I spent tons of time trading off Pacifism high scores with a friend of mine on multiple consecutive nights due to this menu.

 

[Superflat]

Valkyria Chronicles. It's old school, and I love the music and sound effects when you move around on the menu. So good.

The Last of Us. Just beautiful all around. Haunting music and serene scene to prep me to jump back into their world.

Persona 4 and Persona 4 Golden both had great menu graphics throughout the whole game.

 

[thenexus6]

Although I never played it, GRID because the menu music was unreal..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhNRweaZEkY

Really like this song.

 

[DrFunk]

Persona 4 Arena

 

[Taruranto]

Mostly for the musics, I guess.

 

[Paskil]

Definitely the main Final Fantasy XI menu. It has to have the Vana'diel March song though or else it is no longer my favorite.

 

[styl3s]

Simple. Effective.

I really need to replay this on PC.

One of the few games i have completed 100% (including all DLC) multiple times. 3 times on 360 and twice on PS3. Got it on PC last year but haven't had time to get into all the texture modding and stuff.

 

[Tenrius]

Baldur's Gate + Tales of the Sword Coast

The backdrop and the main theme work really well to create an atmosphere highly appropriate for the grand adventure that is just a few button presses away!

 

[UltraGunner]

THE WIND IS PUSHING MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

TIME IS RUNNING FREEEEEEEEE, I FEEL LIKE LETTING GO
JUST LIKE THE DANGAAAAAAAAN!

 

[CadetMahoney]

Dragons Dogma.

Except for the loading times.

 

[gngf123]

Although I never played it, GRIDs menu music was unreal..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhNRweaZEkY

Really like this song.

It's a good song, but I don't remember the game or its menus being all that special. I had fun with it though.

 

[Clov]

Killer7, easily. Very simple, but also very eerie; after some odd, ambient start-up music, the letters just keep dripping down on the menu. When you select an option, you hear the laughter of the Heaven Smiles, as well. Really sets the mood for the game.

 

[kittens]

The GOAT.

Yup. Except that pic has an ugly watermark in the bottom center.

 

[Novocaine]

I couldn't find anything video/image wise that showed the full thing but this game has great menu animations and great music. Very memorable.

 

[DECK'ARD]

This will always be my favourite:

The music! PSO nailed the atmosphere so well right from the start.

 

[CyclopsRock]

I always liked the menu system for Grid. I thought it looked nice. Sorry about the bars:

 

[kittens]

I couldn't find anything video/image wise that showed the full thing but this game has great menu animations and great music. Very memorable.

I've always thought these ones were really corny, and too "in your face" for a Metroid game. I would have prefered something more subtle and mysterious.

 

[vio]

One of the favorites.

Dafuq Epic?

 

[Soren01]

No The Last Story?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXr6lVyJE4s