From PS1 to Saturn: Annoying Console Sounds That Still Haunt Our Ears

The Sega Saturn startup sound was loud, jarring, and borderline hostile. It felt like someone threw a handful of synths into a blender and hit “puree.” The visuals didn’t help either—sharp, chaotic, and completely uninviting.

It’s the kind of sound that made you flinch every time you turned the console on. Not exactly the warm welcome you’d hope for. And while it tried to be futuristic, it mostly sounded like your speakers were malfunctioning.

Xbox Original – Slime, Static, and Sci-Fi Screeching

Microsoft’s first console came in hot with a startup sound that felt like booting up a radioactive jellyfish. Gooey green visuals, squishy noises, and a sci-fi hum that sounded like your speakers were melting.

It was bold, sure—but also deeply annoying. Like, “turn the volume down before your parents ask what you’re doing,” annoying. It wanted to be edgy and cool, but mostly came off like a Nickelodeon bumper on steroids.

Nintendo Wii – The Sound of a Shrug

The Wii’s startup sound wasn’t loud or chaotic—it was just… nothing. A soft chime, a clean interface, and zero personality. It was like opening a birthday card with no money inside.

Not offensive, but definitely annoying in its blandness. For a console that revolutionized motion controls and brought gaming to the masses, it deserved more than a polite beep.

Sega Dreamcast – Whispering Into the Void

The Dreamcast startup sound was soft, minimal, and forgettable. A water droplet, a white screen, and a red swirl. That’s it.

It wasn’t bad, but it was annoying in the way a missed opportunity always is. For a console packed with chaotic energy and cult classics, this intro felt like it was trying not to wake the neighbors.

PlayStation 3 – Orchestral Fatigue

Sony kept the orchestral theme going with the PS3, but by this point, it felt tired. The startup sound was fine—pretty, even—but it lacked punch.

You couldn’t skip it, couldn’t change it, and had to sit through it every single time. It was like being forced to listen to a symphony warm-up before every gaming session. Beautiful, but exhausting.

Game Boy – Minimalism That Borderlines on Boring

The Game Boy startup was just the word “Nintendo” floating in. No sound effects, no flair, just vibes.

It’s nostalgic, sure—but also kind of a letdown. For a handheld that defined portable gaming, this intro was annoyingly underwhelming. It felt more like booting up a calculator than a game console.

Honorable Mentions: Sounds That Tried Too Hard

• PlayStation 2: Elegant, ambient, and mostly fine—unless you got stuck in the browser screen. Then it became the soundtrack to your frustration.
• GameCube: Whimsical and fun, but the hidden sound effects triggered by button combos could get real annoying real fast. Especially the creepy kid laughter. Why.

Some console sounds were iconic. Some were forgettable. And some were just plain annoying. Whether they screamed at you, bored you to death, or made you question your audio setup, these startup sounds are part of gaming history—for better or worse. And if you still flinch when you hear that PS1 boot-up swell? You’re not alone.