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#Prime 10 finest menu screens in video games, ranked

Prime 10 finest menu screens in video games, ranked

One of the best menu screens in video games will be articulated in some ways, similar to the sheer quantity of choices you may get from the function itself. In my thoughts, they’re decided by the music, the visuals, and the way distinctive they are often. You don’t need to see a bland introduction to an impressive recreation. Listed below are the highest 10 finest essential menu screens in video games, ranked.

Earlier than we begin, I’ve some honorable mentions. Whereas it’s too quickly to rank this alongside long-standing greats, Sea of Stars‘ essential menu display is a formidable introduction to its world. The flickering of the flames reflecting on the pixel-based characters, and the beautiful backdrop is totally gorgeous. Moreover, Rayman 2: The Nice Escape‘s menu options unusual, but attractive music with a view of the world we’re about to discover. There’s additionally a cute teensie on the left facet, welcoming you to the sport with its hat.

The Super Metroid main menu is creepy!
Screenshot by Destructoid

10. Tremendous Metroid

Through the SNES period, avid gamers weren’t anticipating a cinematic introduction to the sport. Nevertheless, Tremendous Metroid options tense music and neat transitions of scenes that function the creepy sci-fi world of the sport. It then reveals a Metroid trapped inside a pipe with the equipment flickering in inexperienced mild. It’s genuinely creepy to see fallen our bodies subsequent to the machine as effectively. It’s an ideal introduction to this recreation.

Psychonauts has one of the best main menus in gaming because of how creative it is.
Screenshot by Destructoid

9. Psychonauts

Double Superb is a developer recognized for its wild worlds, recreation ideas, and characters. This menu follows that very same concept. One of many strangest (and coolest) is in Psychonauts, through which you’re Raz operating round a mind. The idea of the sport is that you simply’re attempting to repair the problems of an individual by infiltrating their thoughts. It’s a intelligent essential menu idea for a recreation like this and is definitely distinctive. I additionally love Double Superb’s record-based essential menu design in Brutal Legend, however Psychonauts simply edges it out.

L.A. Noire intro
Screenshot by Destructoid

8. L.A. Noire

This can be a controversial decide, however L.A. Noire has a novel menu design that enhances the subject material. You get the old style black-and-white styling combined in with a shadowy determine of the textual content. The sunshine shone from the automobile provides a beautiful impact on the brick wall, including to the ambiance of the scene. Whereas it may be annoying to have a gentleman strolling out and in of the menu, it’s definitely an attention-grabbing tackle this traditional gaming function that we haven’t seen earlier than.

7. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Sure, this can be a simplistic menu for such an enormous RPG like Starfield, however it greater than makes up for it with the theme alone. You hear an imposing choir and triumphant orchestra calling to you. It will get you pumped for the journey you’re about to have. The emblem additionally seems iconic amongst the white mist and the black background.

6. Pokemon Pink & Blue

Regardless of the restricted energy of the Sport Boy, Pokemon Pink & Blue nonetheless had wonderful intros and menus. You see two Pokemon preventing it out within the intro underscored by a memorable theme tune. It then always switches between the totally different Pocket Monsters you’ll discover within the recreation like Snorlax, Mankey, and Ditto. It’s easy however “tremendous efficient”at introducing us to the world of Pokemon. 

5. Xenoblade Chronicles

The Xenoblade Chronicles title display is tremendous easy. You see the Monado sword caught within the floor all by itself. Nevertheless, the fantastic thing about the world surrounds us as day turns to nighttime. You additionally see the shine of the metallic blade in opposition to the daylight, which is a pleasant contact. The Monado additionally glows in the dead of night as the celebs shine brightly above. The emotional music is engrossing as you merely stare at this gorgeous scene. This is among the finest essential menu screens simply from how gorgeous it’s.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

I do know, many say that Ocarina of Time‘s menu display is healthier, however the one from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess holds extra status for me. You see Hyperlink driving Epona valiantly throughout the Bridge of Eldin and the wilderness of Hyrule. Within the background is a considerably creepy choir singing the principle theme of the sport. Then, the intro transitions to Wolf Hyperlink who howls to an odd golden wall within the distance.

You even have a touch of the “Midna’s Theme” from the music, hinting at how prevalent your accomplice will probably be within the plot and gameplay. You’re then left with a sense of dread as you solely have the sound of wind to maintain you firm. It’s an excellent essential menu that pulls you into the meant darker ambiance of the sport.

3. Kingdom Hearts 2

Probably with the prettiest essential menu theme ever “Dearly Beloved,” Kingdom Hearts 2 has top-of-the-line intros in gaming historical past. The credit roll and the music begins to construct up. As you start to see Sora emerge into the title display, you hear the harp play and the bass strings seek advice from the protagonist.

It seems like an orchestra prepping to play earlier than a live performance happens. It then calms down for a short second till the complete menu seems. Then, the piano begins to play the principle melody, and every fantastic instrument of the piece blends collectively in a very “beloved” approach.

Seeped with the sound of waves from Sora’s dwelling world Future Islands, you bear in mind the place the tip objective lies. The blue streak to the suitable additionally has a wave-like gradient to it. I simply observed this as I used to be writing, however the colour of the streak goes from navy to turquoise to yellow like a seashore. Neat!

Persona 5 menu
Screenshot by Destructoid

2. Persona 5

Persona 5 has a lot fashion behind its UI and graphical ingenuity. Nevertheless, the principle menu stands out as effectively. The introduction of the prepare pop artwork after which the Phantom Thieves at a cease is unbelievable. I really like the putting pink and white fashion as you see the trains beside them rush on both facet.

The music provides you the depiction that that is going to be a cool, suave journey. When Futaba will get off her seat, you’ll see a graffiti mark on her seat. It additionally exhibits Haru within the again, exhibiting her extra shy facet.

Personally, I want the calmer nature of this scene to the extra energetic Persona 5 Royal‘s, however it’s a private style, for positive. It provides a extra underground really feel that matches the Phantom Thieves higher.

 

1. Mega Man 2

Admittedly, I haven’t grown up through the NES period, however my goodness, this is among the best essential menu screens in a recreation, bar none. You begin with an outline of the town with a short abstract of the story. The music begins sluggish and nice, however because the digital camera strikes up the skyscraper, the music will get sooner till you get probably the most badass menu themes ever. You possibly can’t assist however get hyped.

You see Megaman’s hair waving within the air as he readies himself for his powerful journey. Whenever you select a range, he then teleports away. Regardless of having higher know-how right this moment, this essential menu nonetheless stands as probably the most epic. Let’s set out and defeat every of the bosses (or at the least hope we are able to). This is among the finest essential menu screens ever simply as a result of pleasure I get each time I boot it up.

Chris Penwell

Chris is a contract author for a number of shops, together with Destructoid! He loves narrative video games like Kingdom Hearts, Life is Unusual, and Past Good & Evil. Nevertheless, he does take pleasure in Fortnite and Tremendous Smash Bros. Final sometimes.

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