The 10 Best Video Game Console Startup Screens, Ranked

pcmag.com:

The startup screen is a console’s way of introducing itself to the game-hungry masses. This digital vignette must accomplish two important tasks in just a few seconds: showcase the system's brand identity and horsepower, elements that make the console stand out from the competition. Some startup screens are far cooler than others, so let's rank them!

For the purposes of this piece, "console" refers to any non-PC gaming advice, including handheld gaming machines. PCs are excluded because, well, who wants to see all-too-familiar Mac or Windows logos? We’ve combed through all the video game console startup screens in history to bring you this comprehensive list. Keep in mind that we’re covering boot-up screens native to consoles, not the startup screens of specific games (sorry, N64 fans).

Although it lacks a flashy startup screen, the Sega Genesis (also known as the Mega Drive overseas) subtly showcases the console's power. Human speech is common in contemporary video games, but that wasn't the case in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The vocal that introduces the system is one of the most iconic sounds in gaming history. It’s synonymous with all of Sega’s franchises, especially a speedy blue hedgehog who debuted on the platform.

The Ouya is a streaming microconsole that was released in 2013, but we wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of it; the platform was effectively dead just two years later. Yet the Ouya’s startup screen sequence goes harder than the system itself. The sun-bursting-from-horizon animation is reminiscent of 2021’s Dune, from the font to the color scheme. Unlike Dune, the Ouya will not receive a sequel.

Since 1989, every Game Boy had a similar startup screen. The sequence slightly changed with