The very best menu themes.

[cliff excellent]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d689QT0nEY4

The Legend of Grimrock menu theme. I knew I was going to be in for something special when this was what played through my headphones on my first time playing.

 

[II2]

Fallout 1 & 2 title menu music. OST - "Desert Wind" by Mark Morgan.... Bear in mind, this plays AFTER the retro upbeat Inkspots / Louis Armstrong that accompanies the cartoon vault boy intro animations, so it sets the juxtaposition of moods fucking *PERFECTLY*


Technically a menu and music (and nostalgia):


Mass Effect 1 Intro / Menu (nailed it):

 

[Neverhoodian]

I freely admit that this is probably a case of the ol' Nostalgia Goggles, but Tie Fighter had some awesome menu scores. It really helped set the mood for you to serve the Emperor:

Spoiler: ENTER YOUR NAME, PILOT!

 

[karma9308]

Well people already grabbed most of the good ones. (specifically ME2, Kingdom Hearts, FFX-2, ME,and Civ 4) so I'm going to go retro. Look out!


And then a newbie.

Spoiler: Walking Dead Season 2

If I can sperg out a bit, what I love the most about the Walking Dead music is that it's a remix of the final music at the end of season 1.

 

[CriminalScum]

Pretty much all the Elder Scrolls themes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMao-aSeO2w

All the Halo themes from Halo: CE to Halo 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGptqrKa_ak

I really like the main menu song for Doom 3 as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ysDV9POBXE

 

[Elvis Starburst]

The menu theme from

Metroid Prime [1-3, I liked them all, though, I honestly lean towards the second one a bit more]:

1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLLE_PvJ5mY
2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7uZf4uiMN8
3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1y8bq_2X2g

Sonic 06 menu theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6sTAd36tiE

AeroFighters Assault menu theme [Probably my top choice from these selections]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ATt5l-HmiY

It came as no surprise that nobody has posted that last one. I'm probably the only one here who knows that game exists XD

 

[InfernalPaladin]

Spoiler: Timesplitters 2

This is my favourite theme from gaming, it's a really upbeat theme that fits with the sci-fi feel of the Timesplitters series.

And as someone has already posted: the Skyrim menu theme is also really good at putting you into the mood of a dragon-slaying badass, while still having the classic Elder Scrolls tune.

 

[NeutralDrow]

"To the World of Dreams," the menu theme from A Drug That Makes You Dream.

Spoiler

Granted, it's used in-game, too, but still. One of the most wonderfully calming pieces of music ever, in a game where I would need that calming reassurance surprisingly often.

 

[zerragonoss]

Hey I actually get to pull in a game that may be obscure by even the escapists standards. Overall decent game notable mostly for some interesting ideas, not the execution, but the opening song was great.

Spoiler: A Valley without wind 2

 

[TheRiddler]

Spoiler: Hotline Miami

This needed adding. No particular sentimental value, just thought it was a great menu theme.

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

Favourite orchestral theme goes to Transformers Fall of Cybertron

Spoiler

Command & Conquer Red Alert 3's expansion Uprising takes a second place for it's slightly calm tune (at least until halfway).

Spoiler

Skyrim is also a favourite, I think I'm just a sucker for orchestral music than I am for dubstep or a rock themed opening.

Spoiler

 

[ShinyCharizard]

No mention of Metal Gear Rising yet?

I am disappoint.

 

[SmallHatLogan]

A lot of good ones here. Persona 3 FES, Persona 4, Hotline Miami, Papers Please, Mass Effect, Morrowind.

A few that stand out to me:

Spoiler: Wolfenstein 3d

There are a few awesome remixes out there too.

Spoiler: Super Metroid

Spoiler: Persona 2: Innocent Sin

Spoiler: The Binding of Isaac

Spoiler: Castlevania 64

Spoiler: Demon's Souls

 

[necromanzer52]

Some good stuff here. But nothing beats this brilliance.

Spoiler

And you can't forget this one.

Spoiler

 

[GeneralChaos]

Fantasy General had one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard. Here is the menu music:

Spoiler

 

[NuclearKangaroo]

not much of a fan of CoH 2's music, one of the many aspects in which the sequel is inferior to the previous game


that being said, 2 of my favorite games ever have some bitching menu music (mostly because they use some of the actual soundtrack for this)

FTL, this game's music has really grown on me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiXWfxHHdAU

TF2, my favorite song of the game and one of the many reasons Meet the Medic is the best short of em all

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6NQx4WRRg0

 

[Scarim Coral]

Metroid Prime 2 Echo come to my mind-

Spoiler

Not sure why but the white theme on their menu combine with this music seen to appeal to me.

There also this

Spoiler: The Last Story

While I hated teh game but the title music was very relaxing to listen to.

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

As most of my other favorite tracks have been already posted I thought I should go to the old standby of Dawn of War.

Dark Crusade was my favorite of the series, in part due to the menu music changing depending on what race you last played.

Spoiler: The massed drumbeats and voices of the Imperial Guard

Spoiler: The lone section of brass playing over the Space Marine theme

Spoiler: The eastern influences of the Tau

Spoiler: The mysticism of the Eldar

Spoiler: The brutal tribal drums of the Ork

 

[raeior]

Since Deus Ex and One Must Fall have already been mentioned I'll have to take 1869:

Spoiler: 1869 Theme

Also: Major Stryker

Spoiler: Major Stryker

 

[putowtin]

Mass Effect 1 Intro / Menu (nailed it):

This, on another thread I've just described that once a year I will replay the Mass Effect series, and when I hear this for the first time, the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and I know that I'm in for a spendid 150+ hours!

Oh and this
What can I say, it rocks