The first impression that a video game gives you of what to expect is the title screen. From the early days of primitive Atari and Intellivision games to the artistic and cinematic titles screens that are possible today, the title screen is the gateway into the gaming experience you're about to enjoy.

Humble beginnings

In the early days, many games didn't even have a title screen. You were simply dumped straight into the game from a demonstration mode. However, there were some early games that did utilize the title screen to give you an (at the time) impressive intro to what you have to look forward to.

E.T. (Atari 2600) featured a good depiction of the character and theme music

SwordQuest welcomes you with an impressive color cycling sword on the title screen

Cinematic advances

By the time we reached the 16-bit era, far more impressive title screens were possible. Not only were they now mandatory, developers were able to achieve so much more. The visuals, sound and music these machine were capable produced much more gripping introductions.

Super Metroid paints a dark and chilling picture of what you're about to experience

Two generations later, the Metroid series received a massive overhaul and was revisioned as a first-person shooter rather than the 2D game we knew up to this point. The push forward with Metroid Prime on the Gamecube brought us another classic title screen, with an ethereal title screen that not only depicts alien biology, but selecting various options zooms you through this space as if the title screen exists within a larger area.

Metroid Prime brings the series into 3D with a beautiful and haunting title screen

Title screen as art

The past few years have brought us even more amazing title screens, from games that use them as creative menus to virtually being pieces of art on their own. From the gorgeous street view of L.A. Noire to the breathtaking and minimalistic title screen of Xenoblade Chronicles, the medium has really come into an era of becoming unique and powerful artistic expression.

Using a shadow on an alley wall as the menu is ingenious

Xenoblade Chronicles is my pick for the greatest video game title screen of all time. Moving, simple and beautiful. For the impatient, skip to 1:25 to see how amazing this title screen truly is.

Given how far this medium has come, I look forward to seeing what new and creative title screens game developers and artists come up with in the future.

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