What are the best title screens in gaming history?

I appreciate when a developer puts a lot of thought and effort into a great, immersive title screen. Everything from the look and sound can be crafted to create something so much more than a simple menu, and can really set the tone of a game. Two of my favorites just so happen to be some of the greatest games of all time.

First is Metroid Prime. I thought about giving this to Super Metroid (which also had an amazing title screen), but Metroid Prime was the game that flipped the Metroid series on it's head. Prior to release, this game was hyped to the moon, and yet there was much uncertainty on if a 1st person Metroid could even work (Spoiler: It does). The first time I booted up the game and arrived at the title screen, I knew I was about to experience something that was unlike anything that came before it.

Second is Metal Gear Solid 4. I mean, what more needs to be said? The game is a masterpiece. But what I really love about the game's title screen is how much of a story it tells, especially once you have completed the game. The artistic direction and music come together to set a mood that gives me chills to this day, and is easily one of the greatest title screens ever in gaming.

What about you, SW? What are your favorite title screens in gaming history?

Persona 4 PS2 start Screen

Halo CE start screen

FFXII, Kingdom Hearts 1&2 and La Noire very memorable for me too.

Halo 2 with its guitar solo.

Basically every Forza Horizon title screen ever.

I remember we had this topic a couple months ago. Xenoblade 1 and Zelda TP for me.

FIFA 1998 with the offspring song

Man, I had forgotten how much MGS4 title screen kicked ass. The music is very simple and yet so beautiful. Thanks for the memories!

Now my contributions

I want to play a new and proper Metroid game so bad😭😭😭Why is Nintendo holding gaming back?

On thread, Metoid, MGS, Halo1-2-3-Reach.

@p3anut: My bad, I must've missed that one. Sorry if I'm resurrecting the topic too early!

Anyways, Twilight Princess' title screen reminds me of how great OOT's was. Clearly it took what was done before and improved on it.

Wow, these graphic card things are awesome.

Yep, always loved the title screens for the first 3 MGS games, especially MGS3.

Cosign on the Prime games, especially 1 and 2. Sucks that these were removed from the trilogy.

Will add Super Street Fighter II, blown away first time I saw this at the arcade.

Final Fantasy VI intro was dope, just knew you had an epic game ahead of you. Sometimes get nostalgic to play it again, but just watch the intro instead lol.

Wish FF was still this cool.

And of course Chrono Trigger

Yoshis Island use of Super FX on the title screen was neat.

Extra cool when you boot up the game later to see this instead.

@ConanTheStoner: You're amazing for posting this. To think of what was accomplished based on the tech available at the time.Maaaad props to the devs.

Good one. Yea, it's true, first time saw that in the arcade basically made all the other games around it look like shit.

As know, animated movie legit turned it into the opening scene.

Half-Life 2.

No grand music, no spectacle. No pre-rendered nonsense. It loads you into the world and you get a glimpse of life in the world of the citizens of City 17. AND as you progressed through the game, you’d get new background screens reflecting more locations you’ve been to.

Was very exciting in 2004.

Example:

https://youtu.be/pveer0jDCmk

Super Mario 64, due to its interactivity

Super Street Fighter 2 was just cool.

Ultima 7, due to how ominous it was. Beginning with butterflies and rainbows in the intro which gradually got more creepy, with the title screen being hte final payoff.

God of War 3 had a really good idea with transitions. The effort is certainly commendable.

Civ 4 because of Baba Yetu. Planet Earth also gradually lighting up was a nice touch as well.

The second it comes on, it gets you pumped for what's to come.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2, always loved the opening animation.

Not even a huge WoW fan, but anything with a giant gate gets my 🐛 to wiggle!

Not technically a title screen, but fits my gate theme, and was equally exciting. "Is it gonna work?" "It's not gonna work 😭" "It totally worked!!!" Loved it ☺️

@ConanTheStoner: Super Street Fighter II intro blew me away the first time I saw it. Great pick 👍

MGS4, Xenoblade Chronicles, and SM64 are the ones that immediately come to mind.

Minimalism, ftw.

Since Metroid Prime was already posted (best title screen in any game ever :P ), I'll post this one:

It gets me right in the feels.

Nintendo tend to have cool title screens