Xbox 360
The humble menu screen. A common and often overlooked feature amongst virtually all videogames, they are as different and individual as the titles they feature in. Some are functional, offering the bare minimum before letting gamers step into the action. A lucky few, however, are lavished with the care and attention they deserve, serving as an extension to the game itself. As a celebration of these underappreciated screens, here, in no particular order, are some of our favourites.
Wipeout HD
A good menu screen is like a good kitchen: functional, clean and accessible. Wipeout HD's front is all of the above and more. It's crisp, minimalist design makes sure that anything and everything you're looking for can be found quickly and easily. Its simple animations and low-tempo beat are a perfect contrast to the stunning visuals and pumping techno found during races, meaning you'll want to take your time with it.
Future Cop LAPD
You've watched the intro and you're in the mood for blasting some baddies. The only thing you'll need is some motivational music... and Future Cop LAPD does not disappoint. The futuristic menus are accompanied by a stonking techno track, the heavy bass and drums pounding away as you make your selections. Add in a suitably chunky ‘clunk' sound affect to accompany each button press and you're in the proper mood for cleaning up the City of Angels.
Battlefield 1943
The majority of gamers that purchased Battlefield 1943 on release day will be familiar with this one. Due to unforeseen demand and an incredible lack of foresight, EA's World War II shooter creaked under the initial online strain, leaving many players stranded at the menu screen... but what a menu screen it is. A dramatic canvas effect dominated by brilliant, beautiful blues coupled perfectly with rousing strings captures the mood of the upcoming conflict brilliantly. We could stare at this all day.
Left 4 Dead
As we're sure you'll agree, a zombie apocalypse is a pretty bleak situation, so a game based on one would need to have a sense of hopelessness and despair. Valve's Left 4 Dead brilliantly portrays a world gone to pot on both Xbox 360 and PC, but the latter goes one better. Whilst the former has a generic shot of the city from the rooftops, the PC's menu depicts events from street level, with a static camera capturing the infected shuffling past. The addition of the survival pack saw the scene change, with the newly added lighthouse illuminating previously hidden zombies, occasionally blinding the player with its high-intensity beam, all the while accompanied with haunting music. Chilling and horrifying in equal measure, Valve successfully captured the intended aesthetic both during and outwith the main action.
Loco Roco
One of the happiest games you'll ever play, Loco Roco and its sequels will never fail to bring a smile to your face. The brightly coloured blobs even make an appearance in the menu screens, laughing and singing away as you fiddle with options. The catchy songs are sure to penetrate your brain soon enough, and you'll find it to concentrate on what you're planning to do next as you stay to sing along with them just one more time.
Mario 64
The hop from 2D to 3D for Mario had to be something special, capturing the magic of the original adventures whilst updating them to fit in a 64-bit environment. Nintendo succeeded, but they also had another trick up their sleeve. Upon loading up the game, you were greeted with Mario's big grinning face. Nintendo obviously anticipated its fans' desires as you could play with his facial features. Anybody who wanted to pull on his ears and poke him in the nose could so, resulting in one of the most entertaining distractions of the fifth generation.
BioShock
BioShock's importance cannot be underestimated. Combining solid gunplay with an excellent story featuring one of the greatest metaphysical twists found in any piece of fiction in any medium ever, some regard it as less of a game and more as a work of art. The developer's meticulous design and obvious love for the title permeates through to the menu screen, where moving between selections is met with the plink of a piano key, further grounding the title in its 1960s time period. An excellent addition for both timewasters and fans of astounding design.
Metal Gear Solid 4
Not a menu screen as such, but it's not far off. The installation screens of Metal Gear Solid 4 showcase Snake taking drag after drag of a seemingly endless cigarette, whilst the typical videogame warnings and precautions alongside gameplay tips and hints. Fairly normal stuff, but then Konami drops in the occasional warning about the dangers of smoking, effectively including Snake in the target audience for such warnings. Another nice twist on a seemingly unimportant aspect from Hideo Kojima.
Point Blank
Lightgun games have always been popular because they're fast, simple and fun. As the years went on, however, they increased in complexity, adding plot lines, characterisation and objectives. Namco's Point Blank took things back to basics. Essentially a virtual shooting gallery, it was your job to blast as many chickens, piranhas and targets as you could in a specific time frame. The mascots of the game, Dr. Don and Dr. Dan, featured in many of the challenges, usually in a pickle from which you have to save them. They also featured on the menu screen, with endless copies of the dynamic duo descending from the sky on parachutes. Shooting their bodies made them scream in pain, and hitting their ‘chutes made them plummet off the screen. Suitable compensation for the player having to save the inept pair time and time again.
LittleBigPlanet
LittleBigPlanet's whole premise is to make your own creations and then share them with the world. This idea extends even to the menu screens: called 'pods', each one is an individual player's home and can be decorated as they see fit. As a result, each one is as individual as the user-created levels that your little Sackperson can explore. Place some photographs of your loved ones on the walls, carefully decorate the floor with flowers or just manically slap duck stickers all over the place. It's your menu, you can do what you like with it. Just don't make it too rude.
Agree or disagree with our selection? Leave us a comment with your thoughts and feelings.