Final Fantasy XII, not just for the amazing menu music but also due to how the opening cinematic blends seamlessly with the menu UI in the PS2 version. It all comes together perfectly.
this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2025
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The galaxy map theme from the Mass Effect series is one of my favourite tunes in a sci-fi game. I love the chill atmosphere as you select your destination, and hearing it outside the game always makes me want to revisit the series.
I already commented on Outer Wilds, and this one is probably not fitting on Patient Gamers, but...
I have never just stopped and listened the main menu of a game fully, on multiple occasions... Until Expedition 33.
For whatever reason I felt like i was comitting a sheer disrespectful act to interrupt it.
Expedition 33 is a game I finished a couple weeks ago and have continued to be obsessed with since. Not really patientgamers material seeing as it's pretty recent, but I'm so glad I made an exception for it.
Funnily enough the lyrics for that menu music is basically a plot synopsis that spoils the whole story in poetry, but it's fine because it's in a mutated medieval french. A lot of the game's music is like that, actually.
Not one person said Goldeneye? Wow. The main menu is good of course, but that pause music is legendary.
Nobody has mentioned FTl: Faster than light yet as far as I can see. It's so iconic!
Civilization 4
Really surprised to not see Civ 4's Baba Yetu mentioned yet. It's literally the first video game music to win a Grammy.
Need For Speed Most wanted (2005), Need for speed music of that time period was kinda goated in general.
Fallout 4. Its not the radio stuff we all love... its the almost erie pause screen music that comes on after a while.
Deus Ex
Unreal Tournament
Glover and Frogger had great music, I am surprised this popped in to my head but there you go.
Jazz Jackrabbit 2
Hard to pick a favourite but: The Legend of Dragoon Goldeneye FFX Halo 2
I think favourite combat music could be a good topic too!
Edit again because I missed what probably actually is my favourite. Baldur’s Gate 2.
That’ll be the next one!
Man, being earwormed in the main menu and through the entrire game to reach credits and have the full song blast through was mind blowing to me back when it released!
The only game so far that achieved this (and surpassed it by a lot IMO) is Outer Wilds
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Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenter the Gungeon... whispers: enter the gungeon
The whole Elder Scrolls series has awesome main menu music but I think Morrowind is probably my favourite of the bunch. But they’re all great.
Hotline Miami has a banging soundtrack, including the main menu music
Crusader Kings II
Ever since the first time I loaded it up on Genesis, the Streets of Rage 2 menu theme has been an all timer for me. It’s the perfect encapsulation of 90’s techno and sets the mood for one of the greatest beat ‘em ups of all time.
Star Wars: Republic Commando
Oh man definitely Cyberpunk 2077 start screen. Gets you right into the mood for tech'ing up and causing some anarchy.
It starts quiet too. But if I'm not past that screen by the time the beat hits, I'm in that menu until the song ends :D
Metal Gear Solid 2 menu theme. The digital sound fits with the main menu motif like a glove, and evokes a sense of mystery and foreboding of what is to come. And boy, you are in for a surprise!
Doom 2016!
FFX!
One Must Fall 2097.
That intro with the lightning was hype to my little 8 year old brain.
Honorable mention to the Elegy track from Firefall. That game deserved a lot better than it got.
The main menu theme for Dark Souls III is probably my favourite main menu theme ever. It perfectly encapsulates the tone of the game in my opinion and I always have to listen to it before starting up the game.
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I think A Hat in Time deserves a mention!
Fallout 4, the theme is so somber it immediately gets you in the right mood.
Smash Bros. Melee
I have many but teen me loved the XGRA menu edit of BT's Madskillz - Mic Chekka so much I would leave the menu open while cleaning etc.
The life is strange start menu music makes me feel things.
Not sure if they are my favorite but these are the 3 first that came into my mind, in this order:
- Uncharted 2
- Xenoblade Chronicles
- Kingdom Hearts
I am pretty sure there are another good ones out there that I can't remember right now (like Time Hollow).
The Halo 4 theme was so good that I would let it play out before starting a game most of the time. Definitely my favorite title theme.
Some other good ones are Skyrim, LOZ Ocarina of Time, and Star Wars Republic Commando
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