Look at many early DVD releases, and you’ll see interactive menus touted as a selling point. Coming from VHS (or LaserDisc), which had no menus to speak of, this was a genuine improvement. That isn’t to say all DVDs had interactive menus, however. Many of the earliest releases just entered straight into their content, and the same is true of some cheaper releases.
However, once DVD became widespread, publishers started to really embrace the capabilities the format afforded them. The format first released in late 1996; however it wasn’t until the 2000s that they really kicked off. With the medium’s strengths and foibles known, players widely adopted, and technology ready to handle the task, DVDs hit their stride. With this came some brilliant and memorable menus.
