I still remember getting goosebumps from Baldur's Gate 2's menu theme back in the day. It really set the mood and made me excited to start.

A more recent main menu theme that impressed me was Hellpoint's. Together with the menu showing that black hole - it is just wonderfully ominous.

A mainstay on my shuffle playlists in the Encore Mode Save Select Theme, Double Take, from Sonic Mania Plus. Track is by Falk du Yeong, who did the music for the popular Sonic Fangames Before and After the Sequel.

A recent one that Youtube Music (hooray for Revanced) revealed to me is the Main Menu theme of Mindwave, by Dorkus 64. Apparently the game is kind of a mix of WarioWare but with jumping into people's minds as the setting? Can hear a lot of WarioLand 4 influence in the track. Weird, and an absolute bop.

Honorable Mentions:

• Main Menu Theme, Metroid Prime (or from the Remaster)
• Briefing, Ace Combat X
• Stage Select, Ape Escape
• Time Station, Ape Escape (kind of cheating, it's basically a menu as a hub stage)
• All the menu themes from Sonic Mega Collection

Doom 3. Moody at the start, but when the guitars hit it's just amazing. It really summarizes the game where it's moody and dark at the start, but you rip and tear later on.

Without thinking about it too hard, the binding of Isaac. I like how when you unlock the tainted characters, when you flip to that menu the song changes to a different version. It's the same song, but creepier.

Not sure if they are my favorite but these are the 3 first that came into my mind, in this order:

1. Uncharted 2
2. Xenoblade Chronicles
3. Kingdom Hearts

I am pretty sure there are another good ones out there that I can't remember right now (like Time Hollow).

Fallout 4. Its not the radio stuff we all love... its the almost erie pause screen music that comes on after a while.

The slow buildup and somber tone of Hitman III menu music „Death Awaits“ lives rent free in my head for a while now. Choir and strings in the end 👩‍🍳👌

The only right answer: Deus EX

This

Supercars II

Flow from Overwatch 2

A Plague Tale Requiem, especially after beating the game.

While the Windows-era Touhou mainline games have their own share of calm and energetic menu themes, the one that sticks out the most for me goes to Imperishable Night. It's iconic for a good reason.

I really like Wizardry 8 main menu theme and also Gothic 1 and plenty others too.

EDIT: How could I forget Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines?

I don't think I'd actually say it's my favourite, but the opening cinematic/menu song for Dragon's Dogma is pretty nostalgic for me. And kinda became a meme in the games hardcore community fanbase.

🎶 The wind is pushing meeee 🎶

I always liked one of the menu themes in Sonic Advance, which was basically just a slightly different version of Star Light Zone from Sonic 1 lol

Two menu songs are tied first place for me.

First is the one that plays on the main menu of Final Fantasy 15. Especially when it plays as the main background theme during the end of the game.

The other one is Nier Automata. Deff a whole mood.

Fallout new vegas

Demon's Souls character creation theme

i know dark souls has always been more popular but there's something very special about the atmosphere in DeS. This track set the tone extremely well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOUUS6JIRQ0

Have a very nostalgic theme for a very specific group of people. :P

Smash Bros Wii U

I think A Hat in Time deserves a mention!

Maplestory, such a great soundtrack maplestory login screen

Late to the party but Policenauts plays regularly in my head.

Star Wars: Republic Commando

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!

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

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.

Crusader Kings II

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.

Final fantasy 15, crystalline chill. Can just leave that on repeat. Didn't even like ff15

Gran Turismo 2. The different areas of the menu have different music and they're all great.

Sanabi.

The main theme opener is a striking arrangement of synth notes, which admittedly end up being a bit skippable after hearing them quite a few times. However, there is a reveal moment in the story that makes it hit way harder. It stuck with me after that 😁

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising

https://youtu.be/DtbOpDJIWJ8

Some of my favs were already listed, I’d add Cyberpunk 2077, Max Payne 2, and Dark Souls 2 (that portamento).

Defcon

Final Fantasy II for SNES (Main title/menu)

Sierra's "Red Baron II" (1998) might not be my favorite but it had some of the most memorable music for me. Repetitive military marches with the main theme being rather jaunty. It didn't hurt that it was my first flight sim and the first PC game I'd ever played online. I was around twelve at the time so it's hard not to remember how cool it all was to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2mvT1ddiBc

Alas, the game itself was long ago murdered.

Last Epoch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xosfYHQIcQ

ARD1FT menu music got me a bit into classical music