What exactly is the point of a 'Press Start' screen on games?

[VintageElise]

Most games I play these days all have these screens and there seems to be no purpose to them what-so-ever. Does anyone here know why they are still included?

 

[Kasawd]

Nostalgia, perhaps. It makes the game feel legitimate.

 

[Cherry Cola]

To see if you are still awake after a painful loading screen of course.

Wouldn't want to fall asleep during that and then wake up realizing that you are getting your ass kicked.

 

[TheSeventhLoneWolf]

Give it are more arcade feel, as well.

 

[Dexiro]

I suppose it's just a habit or a traditiony sort of thing.

They're no harm anyway, it can be a nice opening to a game sometimes ^^

 

[Woodsey]

Apparently it's so that when they advertise them in shops, they can have the title screen up instead of the menu.

Or so I hear.

 

[ActionDan]

To know when the game has finished loading so you can start the game? Pretty obvious don't you think?

 

[orangebandguy]

Honestly I have no idea, you can always press A or X depending on your console anyways.

 

[BillyShakes]

Every game ever has the "Press Start" screen. DO YOU DARE ARGUE WITH EVERY GAME EVER?!

 

[ZeroDotZero]

inFamous didn't have one. I was appalled.

I can't explain it, but I was.

 

[VintageElise]

Well wouldn't the same effect happen if when it's finished loading it took you straight to the Main Menu?

 

[Helgi]

I have always wondered that myself. I really don't understand why they can't just go straight to the main menu.

 

[Quad08]

It's like the title of a book.
It also sometimes gives a nice background image.

What she said, perfect answer

 

[Tomsky]

I hate them so much.

 

[drbarno]

i usually find that start screens are now usually there for the developers to show off their skills to a point where you cannot do the parts shown at this point in the game

 

[Jamface]

I don't think MW2 has one so not every game has a "push start" button