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MisterBananaFoam

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Games with awesome start-up themes

First impressions can usually set the standard for what your game is all about. If someone plops in the game and they get a decent but lackluster opening that doesn't immerse the player, then he or she will be bored going into the start of the game, and that's something you REALLY don't want. However, these games tried a different approach, and while they might not have a flashy opening cinematic their menu and title themes soothe or satiate our lust for good quality audio, and definitely make a good first impression. Here's a list of Games with Awesome Start-Up Themes, links to the themes included. (again, another periodically updated list)

List items

  • Saints Row The Third is the newest, most outrageous title in the Saints Row franchise. It delves into the series' audacious gameplay mechanics and thrives on them, branching off from the darker and edgier Grand Theft Auto IV and letting you, among other things, dress up in a cat suit, use laser-guided precision airstrikes, ride in crazy, futuristic VTOL jets, and even traverse a cyber-kinetic death course. So, of course, with all of this insane sh*t going on, THQ pulled out the perfect opening theme to designate the awesome power you have at your disposal. The second you start the game, you're greeted with a tune that sounds like something you would play while rolling down the West Side streets in a Lamborghini. The way it uses short guitar riffs, hip-hop sound effect and gradually builds up as the song progresses truly encompasses the street gang lifestyle, but it can hardly be described just by words, so go ahead and experience it for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m22k4h8jOf0 (if no link appears, just copy and past the URL into your address bar)

  • Sonic hasn't had nearly as many series as his biggest rival, but he's known to have pulled out a few stops here and there. Sonic Spinball, Sonic the Fighters, Sonic R... there's actually quite a decent amount to choose from, and that trend somehow continues on today. In any case, how a recent spin-off kart racer achieved such a wonderful title theme, I may never know, but when I downloaded and played the demo to Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, I got an intro tune that outdoes pretty much every other kart racer on the market. SEGA really put its sound department to work here, shaping a tune that would have been built for a freaking Need for Speed game, much less Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing. It's got a surprisingly serious tone to it, using deep bass guitar notes, multiple trance-like SFX and a distorted, electronic-sounding guitar to show you that this game MEANS BUSINESS. Here's the track, if you'd like to hear for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Pynvb7cEs

  • Super Smash Bros. is the only fighting game series I'm really accustomed to. I can never get the hang of using button combos and those obnoxious "QCF+HK" moveset lists, but Smash Bros. made it simple for me to pick up and play right from the get go. Also, you can virtually pick up any of Nintendo's most well-known franchise stars (and a few obscurities) and have them duke it out in the arena of your choosing, which is something you don't see very often with other companies (although rumor has it that Sony's working on their own spin-off of Smash Bros). The title music really sets the tone for all three games; while the first can't really handle high-quality orchestral pieces, it still lived up to its premise with a catchy, frantic theme that got players in the mood to whup some ass. When the later consoles arrived, the maestros were put to work, and they definitely set the stage. Using a flowing mix of wind and brass, every section of the orchestra (and, with Brawl, the choir) was pushed to the limit, and they delivered nothing short of spectacular symphonic pieces that warmed up fans for the fight of a lifetime. In chronological order from first to last... Super Smash Bros.'s Theme: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i5VGZq3KjM" Super Smash Bros. Melee Theme: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pVfWH3B3sc" Super Smash Bros. Brawl Theme: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYitYCOYK1Y"

  • I knew little of Scott Pilgrim before his big debut in theaters, but apparently, he had a long history behind him in a comic series and a group of videos on YouTube, so I guess he was quite popular. Then came the movie, which starred Michael Cera and was apparently good but flat-out bombed in theaters, and so we get the pixelated Scott Pilgrim vs. The World video game on XBLA and PSN. From what I've read, the story revolves around the titular Scott Pilgrim, who falls in love with a girl named Ramona Flowers, but in order to truly be her boyfriend, he has to embark on a quest to defeat her seven evil exes. Okay, THAT'S pretty cool, I'll admit. Come to think of it, I'm kind of ashamed of not having heard about this comic now. Anyways, the game was lauded for its excellent soundtrack, composed by the famous chiptune band Anamanaguchi, so it's only fitting that the title theme sounds epic. It really encompasses the olden days when pitchy, 8-bit sound effects were all the rage, and Anamanaguchi puts a rock-ish spin on it to make an ear-wormy tune you'll want to play over and over again. Listen to the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game theme here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TANhL8H6Kok&feature=related

  • I jumped on the Elder Scrolls bandwagon a little late, but how could I not? Skyrim was one of the most anticipated releases of 2011, and when it finally hit store shelves it got massive praise for its immense landscape, multiple skill trees and abilities, and just all-out freedom to kill, befriend, loot, or vanquish anything in your path. The title certainly fits the tone, too; I imagine you've heard it by now, but let me elaborate. The song starts out slow, and eventually you hear chants and a horn section slowly rising in volume until they culminate in one of the most epic choir pieces I've ever heard in a video game. The one thing that really strikes me about this track is that if you cut out almost the entire horns section, you would believe that this song could be performed in the semi-ancient setting the game takes place in. It wants you to know that you are the almighty Dragonborn, the one who can slay the foul creatures taking over Skyrim, absorb their powers and grow even stronger, and it does more than a fantastic job of that. Here's a video, and try to ignore the annotations, if you can: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-_g8NZr1tA

  • Before the market was salivated with shooters, the genre was still fairly tame in quantity. Then came Halo, which, to this day, is praised for a well-written story line, gratuitous futuristic combat and stunning visuals that increased in quality as the franchise progressed. It also delivered heavily in the sound department, starting off with the kickass main theme. The song gradually builds up in intensity, starting off with choral chants and ending up with a full symphony. I absolutely love the usage of the strings section in this song; the violinists truly outdid themselves on the delivery in the second half. Check out the original song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaE0HHN4c30 ------------------------------------------- Also, if you're into electric guitar pieces, there is an official rock remix of the song, which I daresay so myself is incredibly epic. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O9K7E3lDRU

  • When Rare was bought out by Microsoft, they had to split with some of the developers that worked on GoldenEye and Perfect Dark. Those developers quickly banded together and formed Free Radical Design, a company that made their mark with a little gem called Timesplitters. The games functioned very similarly to Perfect Dark, expect with about a bazillion more characters, more monkeys, and funnier writing, which earned it widespread praise with critics and gamers alike. The third outing even managed to flesh out the story while simultaneously composing a synthesized masterpiece in the form of the main menu music. The song focuses on a special agent theme, with some incredible usage of synthesizers to back up the powerful beat. It sounds so ridiculously cool, I can't help but leave the game on the main menu for a while just to listen to this song. Listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H61EnUxwH9c

  • If I recall correctly, this game won at least one award for Best Soundtrack of the Year. Contestable? Perhaps, but you can't deny that the game's main theme is brilliant. The composer mixed foreign instruments seemlessly into an arrangement that perfectly fits the main characters and their misadventures throughout Liberty City.

    Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqE8M2ZnFL8

  • VEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOURN

    DUNUNUN

    DUN DUN DU DUN DU NUUUUUUUUUUUN, DUUUUN DU DUN DU DUN DUUUUUUUUUN, DU DU DUN DU DUN DUUUUUUN

    PEOWNUNOWNUNOWNUNOWNU

    Okay I'll quit mimicking the song in text, but if you seriously haven't listened to Live and Learn by Crush 40 yet, treat your ears: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syvHkz6OhIg

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