Well I thought that this might be fun. Let's list some of our favorite Title Screen themes. It is usually the first the song you hear in a video game and one that is supposed to wrap up the entirety of the game. I will be keeping track of people's favorites and will make a post with some of the big favorites.
List no more than five and explain why they're your favorite title screen themes. Oh yeah and it has to be the song that plays on the Title Screen. If the game has an opening cinematic theme that transcends into the title screen, then that's okay. If they're separate then they're separate, nothing more than that. So let's get started. Here are mine in no certain order.
1. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Just the peaceful sounds of the waves and island as we slowly go into the island instruments. As it sets up a mystical jungle and a lighthearted adventure that becomes anything but. You sense the emergency, but in a subtle way instead of in your face. The image of the island on the title screen perfectly captures this song as well. It is just wonderful to sit back and listen to. Sometimes I would load up the game just to hear this song.
2. Vegas Stakes
This is a casino game made by HAL Laboratory. You know the guys behind the Super Smash Bros. games, the Kirby series, and even worked on Mother 3. Yeah they made a casino game and a damn fine one at that. That's for another story in the Video Game Forum though. What is important is the title theme. It gives you this lust for life and the possibility to make a killing in that playground of America, Las Vegas. Whenever I think of casinos or playing a game of Poker, I think of this song. It may only be 1 Minute long, but boy does it leave an impact on you.
3. Chrono Trigger
Sometimes, simplicity is your friend. The waving of a clock pendulum as the music literally brings in the title. That to me is what makes it. Not only that it sets you up perfectly, because the cinematic for the game comes after the title screen. That is just pure genius. The first time I saw this title screen I was just so amazed by it, then the cinematic came up and then the title screen again. I was pumped and ready to go. I absolutely love this song and truth be told it is barely even that. It's shorter than Vegas Stakes, but leaves a huge impression on you of the dire situations that are to come.
4. Halo
I like Halo's story and gameplay as much as the next guy. However my absolute favorite thing from this series is its music and the title theme from Halo: Combat Evolved is one of the most beautiful classical pieces to come from video games since Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, and I will gladly stand by that statement. You want to talk about a song that will get you pumped for action? This would be the one. Hell it was reused as a rock song as one of the final missions in the game. That's pretty damn good.
5. Kingdom Hearts
The song in question here is Dearly Beloved. Interesting fact, this song was actually used at my best friend's wedding when people were being seated. This song certainly wraps up what Kingdom Hearts is about. When I got Kingdom Hearts I was expecting a goofy and fun game... which I got, but this title screen set me up for something more and I got that to. This song will always stay with me. Yes I know this song was re-done for Kingdom Hearts II and although I do like it, I just like the simplicity of this one more. It is more subtle and in this case less is more.