Every small detail and aspect of a video game has a chance to stand out and make a huge impact on its audience. From a loading screen to a simple menu select sound, the tiniest detail can find itself making its way into fans' hearts for years to come.
A game's start screen is more than a title page, it's the player's welcome into the world that is ahead of them and a well-done start screen will last in the hearts and minds of diehard fans forever. Here are some of the most iconic start screens in video game history.
Updated on August 21, 2023, by Christine Mendoza: Start screens are a crucial part of any video game as they are the component that leaves the first impression on fans the moment the game starts up. The recent discourse surrounding Bethesda's upcoming action RPG, Starfield, is a testament to exactly how important something as simple as a start screen can be for a game's entire reputation. The general public has been divided about Starfield's minimalistic start screen. Some have claimed that it looks rushed and "uncared for" while others mention that Bethesda's start screens have been rather simplistic in the past with no uprising or complaint. No matter which side of the debate one is on, it's always great to see some great examples of start screens that will leave just about any gamer in awe. For any gamers that feel like judging a book by its cover, a few new entries of the best start screens in video games have been added, celebrating all the best art designs, musical scores, and menu sounds across the years.
13 Hotline Miami
- Release Year: 2012
- Platform(s): Windows, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Linux, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Stadia
There's a heavy focus on psychedelics in Hotline Miami, as the main character, Jacket, does have many instances of drug use seen throughout his apartment. Hotline Miami is known not only for its hyper-violence and "beat-em-up" style of gameplay but also for its ever-changing colorful imagery.
As the game is set in Miami in the 80s, it features tons of neon colors that were present in interior design, fashion, and makeup during the era. However, amazing visuals aren't enough. To make the experience perfect, even before the player presses "Start", the Hotline Miami soundtrack was carefully handcrafted/picked to create the atmosphere that players could not only get pumped up from but also relax and vibe to.
12 Papers, Please
- Release Year: 2013
- Platform(s): Windows, Linux, iPad, PlayStation Vita, Android, iOS
There's an eerie tone that Papers, Please clearly wants to achieve and luckily for them, their impactful start screen sets that tone right from the get-go. Papers, Please is a game about the mundane reality of life and the unfair living conditions citizens are forced to endure when under the jurisdiction of a very powerful government.
The Papers, Please theme is the main song ever heard throughout the game and is only truly present during the iconic start screen. The way the bass of the horns suddenly march in with the main title slowly making its way on screen immediately sets not only the tone of the game and its contents but also the general time/era as well.
11 Animal Crossing
- Release Year: 2001
- Platform(s): GameCube
A certain kind of calmness and comfort comes from the entire Animal Crossing series. The very first Animal Crossing is a blast of nostalgia for gamers everywhere. The classic start screen gives the player a peek into the new carefree life they're about to indulge in.
Along with the Animal Crossing logo and the signature theme song of the first game, the screen follows the villager walking through the town as it passes through each season, with adorable cameos from other animal villagers every so often.
10 Mario Paint
- Release Year: 1992
- Platform(s): SNES
The Mario Paint start screen is genuinely like no other out there. While other start screens establish a tone or immerse the player in the right atmosphere, Mario Paint gives the player a sneak peek of what kind of fun, creative game they're in for.
Mario Paint is all about letting out everyone's artistic side and allowing them to be as creative as possible, and the game's start screen definitely fits the vibe. While it may seem plain at first, it's the hidden details that make it special. Clicking each letter in the "Mario Paint" title will activate a new tool, cutscene, or minigame. From drawing tools to rolling the ending credits, every single letter is a fun surprise.
9 Kingdom Hearts
- Release Year: 2002
- Platform(s): PlayStation 2
The original Kingdom Hearts start screen had an amazing feel to it—the beautiful artwork, the gentle watercolors, the iconic logo, and of course the simple (yet charming) menu sounds. However, it was the music that brought everything together.
The entire Kingdom Hearts series is known for its beautiful orchestrated soundtracks. The track "Dearly Beloved," playing softly in the background accompanied by the gentle waves of the beach makes this title screen alone an incredibly iconic start screen that gives Kingdom Hearts fans those good old nostalgic chills.
8 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
- Release Year: 2011
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The moment Elder Scrolls fans started up Skyrim and saw this screen, they knew they were in for a journey that involved courage, duty, and power. The simple mark of the dovahkiin against the black background and subtle smoke rising from the bottom of the screen was all the imagery Skyrim needed to give players to show them what kind of adventure they were in for.
Not a single title or branding for the actual game in sight allows the mark of the dovahkiin to shine. The cherry on top is of course the theme of the Dovahkiin playing in the background, slowly rising in power and volume.
7 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
- Release Year: 2004
- Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Nintendo 3DS, Playstation Vita, Xbox 360
While many of the Metal Gear Solid series games have fantastic start screens, MGS3 is a big fan favorite. Remembering the basics of CQC (close-quarters combat) is a harsh lesson MGS fans had to learn through their journey with Big Boss and Solid Snake.
This start screen features a changing camo background with Naked Snake performing several kinds of CQC techniques on enemy soldiers. Not only were fans pleased to see the legendary Naked Snake flex his hand-to-hand combat skills, but the screen also allowed players to speed up or slow down the sequence and even change the background colors as well.
6 The Last Of Us
- Release Year: 2013
- Platform(s): PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
The somber atmosphere that persists throughout The Last Of Us is something not many can recreate. The Last Of Us' start screen is simple, haunting, yet beautiful at the same time. The simple imagery of the windowsill may seem like a mere aesthetic choice at first but upon a second glance, it's clear that this screen tells a story.
The window appears very dirty, and the foliage outside is overgrown, already giving the player a small glimpse into the post-apocalyptic world Joel and Ellie are forced to survive. Players that finished the game's campaign will also unlock a small easter egg in the form of Ellie's knife now appearing on the game's start screen as a little reward for completing the story.
5 Portal 2
- Release Year: 2011
- Platform(s): Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch
The Portal 2 start screen begins with an ambient setting, an eerie picture of a now dilapidated Aperture Science facility—a once clean and pristine setting now overrun by nature, leaving a deactivated Glados helplessly lying on the floor. There is little to no movement in this start screen, only foliage softly falling to the ground and Glados' blinking light going off every so often.
This drastically different version of the Aperture Science facility that fans weren't used to, paired with the haunting music made for a perfect intro to Chell's new story.
However, the facility does change throughout the campaign, and as the player progresses through the story, the start screen adjusts as well. To keep up with the current events of the player's playthrough, each act is given a creative new start screen.
4 Halo: Combat Evolved
- Release Year: 2001
- Platform(s): Xbox One, Xbox, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Classic Mac OS
Putting aside the incredible legacy the entire Halo series has within the gaming community, the song that plays during the first Halo game has become a bit of a well-known meme on its own. What makes this particular start screen special is the music.
Of course, the cinematics with the classic Halo logo is impeccable but the original Halo theme song is what makes this start screen one of the best ever. The haunting chorus that leads into the powerful orchestral accompaniment will forever have a special place in every gamer's heart.
3 Final Fantasy 7
- Release Year: 1997
- Platform(s): Playstation, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, Xbox One, PlayStation Portable, iOS, Microsoft Windows
While Final Fantasy 7, arguably the most famous/popular FF game in the entire franchise could have gone all out for their start screen, they decided to take a risk and keep things as simple as possible. The end product, a simple portrait of a single spotlight on Cloud's Buster Sword, became one of the most iconic start screens of all time.
This start screen speaks for itself. With no visible logo, characters, or even environmental clues, dedicated gamers everywhere still know exactly whose oversized sword that is and what world they're about to dive into the moment they hit "continue."
2 Super Mario 64
- Release Year: 1995
- Platform(s): Nintendo 64, Nintendo Switch, Wii, Wii U
A start screen that manages to keep players' attention before even beginning the game is clearly going above and beyond what is required of it. The Super Mario 64 start screen is almost a bit of a game in and of itself.
Aside from the iconic music and fun little animations Mario goes through, the player also has the opportunity to give Mario's face a bit of a makeover, stretching parts of his face to make their very own hilarious version of the famous Nintendo mascot.
1 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
- Release Year: 1998
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U
While newer audiences may not fully understand the sentiment behind the Ocarina Of Time's start screen, long-time gamers, namely Nintendo fans, will all agree that everything about this title screen is perfection. The moment this game was booted up, players were greeted by the scene of a beautiful sunrise with Link and Epona riding across a vast valley.
The scenery then smoothly transitions into the game as the music fades. A title screen is meant to introduce players to the tone, mood, and environment of the world it's created and the Ocarina Of Time start screen does a fantastic job of that. Even years after, bringing tears of nostalgia to its familiar faces.
Honorable Mention: Cuphead
- Release Year: 2017
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS
The honorable mention goes to Cuphead as its start screen serves as an homage to another iconic start screen. Cuphead's start screen may look a bit familiar as it is a parody of the FF7 start screen. In place of Cloud's Buster Sword is a simple teacup sitting in a lone spotlight. Clearly, the Studio MDHR developers are loyal Final Fantasy fans.