It's easy to dismiss the startup sound for a games console as a fleeting irrelevance, but they're actually hugely important. Those few seconds tell you more about a console, and who it's for, than any ...

First impressions are important. That’s true both in people and video game consoles. The first time you boot up a new gaming system can be a magical moment when done right. There’s always a built-in ...

Console startup sounds are supposed to be iconic. Memorable. Maybe even comforting. But let’s be honest—some of them were straight-up annoying. Whether it was the audio equivalent of a jump scare or a ...

Nothing triggers memories quite like sounds do. A couple of bars from a popular song from your childhood can take you right back to being a little kid, just like a few notes from a different song can ...

Readers’ Opinion is a place to share your thoughts in the comments section below. We’ll feature our favorite replies in the next installment. No other console manufacturer has hit the ball out of the ...

During Sony's PS5 conference, many speculated that the PS5 startup sound might have been snuck into the showcase. It was quite a short clip, but fans managed to catch the alleged boot-up sound (and ...

If you grew up gaming in the 90s then we’re about to tell you something that you already know, at least inherently: The original PlayStation has the best startup sounds of any console ever made. No ...

Microsoft has released software updates for the Xbox Series S and X and the Xbox app for iOS and Android that bring some quality-of-life improvements and small tweaks that you may notice the next time ...

Mark has been thinking and writing about games since a Gameboy Pocket and a copy of Link's Awakening was first placed into his tender, seven-year-old hands. Since then, he snagged a creative writing ...

Onkyo announced a new pair of wireless earphones featuring Sega Saturn motifs and that play the startup and system sounds of the original console system. The new earphones cost 15,500 yen (or ...

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 ...

I need this ASAP so that I can stop frantically turning down the volume whenever I boot up my Xbox Series X. I need this ASAP so that I can stop frantically turning down the volume whenever I boot up ...