- What is the point of press any key to continue?
- Why do games make you press any button to start?
- Why do games have a main menu?
What is the point of press any key to continue?
Computer programmers historically used "Press any key to continue" (or a similar text) as a prompt to the user when it was necessary to pause processing. The system would resume after the user pressed any keyboard button.
Why do games make you press any button to start?
One because of a tradition from older titles that there was intro cutscenes before the game started, and as a precursor, the game had a press any button screen. Also, because it gives the user time to clarify that the input device is working, and can debug and look for issues before having issues in the game itself.
Why do games have a main menu?
This is (normally) the first part of the game that players see and experience. It is crucial that it is easy to use and has great navigation. The design of these menus are to fit those criteria and is treated as a separate entity to the game. Most of us players just see it as a means to an end.