diff --git a/src/deh_soc.c b/src/deh_soc.c
index 974532c24..94ae9b764 100644
--- a/src/deh_soc.c
+++ b/src/deh_soc.c
@@ -3539,6 +3539,14 @@ void readmaincfg(MYFILE *f, boolean mainfile)
 				Z_Free(tutorialchallengemap);
 				tutorialchallengemap = Z_StrDup(word2);
 			}
+			else if (fastcmp(word, "GAMESTARTCHALLENGE"))
+			{
+				INT32 val = get_number(word2) - 1;
+				if (val < 0 || val >= MAXUNLOCKABLES)
+					gamestartchallenge = MAXUNLOCKABLES;
+				else
+					gamestartchallenge = (UINT16)val;
+			}
 			else if (fastcmp(word, "HIDETITLEPICS") || fastcmp(word, "TITLEPICSHIDE"))
 			{
 				hidetitlepics = (boolean)(value != 0 || word2[0] == 'T' || word2[0] == 'Y');
diff --git a/src/f_finale.c b/src/f_finale.c
index e751084bc..2e56f3c1d 100644
--- a/src/f_finale.c
+++ b/src/f_finale.c
@@ -1470,6 +1470,8 @@ static void F_CacheTitleScreen(void)
 	}
 }
 
+static boolean cache_gametrulystarted = false;
+
 void F_StartTitleScreen(void)
 {
 	INT32 titleMapNum;
@@ -1486,7 +1488,10 @@ void F_StartTitleScreen(void)
 	else
 		wipegamestate = GS_TITLESCREEN;
 
-	if (titlemap
+	cache_gametrulystarted = M_GameTrulyStarted();
+
+	if (cache_gametrulystarted == true
+		&& titlemap
 		&& ((titleMapNum = G_MapNumber(titlemap)) < nummapheaders)
 		&& mapheaderinfo[titleMapNum]
 		&& mapheaderinfo[titleMapNum]->lumpnum != LUMPERROR)
@@ -1598,16 +1603,19 @@ void F_TitleScreenDrawer(void)
 {
 	boolean hidepics = false;
 
-#if 0
-	if (modeattacking)
-		return; // We likely came here from retrying. Don't do a damn thing.
-#endif
-
 	// Draw that sky!
-	if (curbgcolor >= 0)
+	if (cache_gametrulystarted == false)
+	{
+		V_DrawFill(0, 0, BASEVIDWIDTH, BASEVIDHEIGHT, 31);
+	}
+	else if (curbgcolor >= 0)
+	{
 		V_DrawFill(0, 0, BASEVIDWIDTH, BASEVIDHEIGHT, curbgcolor);
+	}
 	else if (!curbghide || !titlemapinaction || gamestate == GS_WAITINGPLAYERS)
+	{
 		F_SkyScroll(curbgxspeed, curbgyspeed, curbgname);
+	}
 
 	// Don't draw outside of the title screen, or if the patch isn't there.
 	if (gamestate != GS_TITLESCREEN && gamestate != GS_WAITINGPLAYERS)
@@ -1629,35 +1637,42 @@ void F_TitleScreenDrawer(void)
 
 		case TTMODE_RINGRACERS:
 		{
-			const char *eggName = "eggman";
-			INT32 eggSkin = R_SkinAvailable(eggName);
-			skincolornum_t eggColor = SKINCOLOR_RED;
-			UINT8 *eggColormap = NULL;
-
-			const char *tailsName = "tails";
-			INT32 tailsSkin = R_SkinAvailable(tailsName);
-			skincolornum_t tailsColor = SKINCOLOR_ORANGE;
-			UINT8 *tailsColormap = NULL;
-
-			if (eggSkin != -1)
+			if (cache_gametrulystarted == true)
 			{
-				eggColor = skins[eggSkin].prefcolor;
-			}
-			eggColormap = R_GetTranslationColormap(TC_DEFAULT, eggColor, GTC_MENUCACHE);
+				const char *eggName = "eggman";
+				INT32 eggSkin = R_SkinAvailable(eggName);
+				skincolornum_t eggColor = SKINCOLOR_RED;
+				UINT8 *eggColormap = NULL;
 
-			if (tailsSkin != -1)
+				const char *tailsName = "tails";
+				INT32 tailsSkin = R_SkinAvailable(tailsName);
+				skincolornum_t tailsColor = SKINCOLOR_ORANGE;
+				UINT8 *tailsColormap = NULL;
+
+				if (eggSkin != -1)
+				{
+					eggColor = skins[eggSkin].prefcolor;
+				}
+				eggColormap = R_GetTranslationColormap(TC_DEFAULT, eggColor, GTC_MENUCACHE);
+
+				if (tailsSkin != -1)
+				{
+					tailsColor = skins[tailsSkin].prefcolor;
+				}
+				tailsColormap = R_GetTranslationColormap(TC_DEFAULT, tailsColor, GTC_MENUCACHE);
+
+				V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, 0, kts_tails_tails, tailsColormap);
+				V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, V_ADD, kts_electricity[finalecount % 6], NULL);
+
+				V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, 0, kts_eggman, eggColormap);
+				V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, 0, kts_tails, tailsColormap);
+
+				V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, 0, kts_bumper, NULL);
+			}
+			else
 			{
-				tailsColor = skins[tailsSkin].prefcolor;
+				V_DrawCenteredString(BASEVIDWIDTH/2, (BASEVIDHEIGHT/2) - 4, 0, "Press any button/key to continue");
 			}
-			tailsColormap = R_GetTranslationColormap(TC_DEFAULT, tailsColor, GTC_MENUCACHE);
-
-			V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, 0, kts_tails_tails, tailsColormap);
-			V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, V_ADD, kts_electricity[finalecount % 6], NULL);
-
-			V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, 0, kts_eggman, eggColormap);
-			V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, 0, kts_tails, tailsColormap);
-
-			V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, 0, kts_bumper, NULL);
 
 			V_DrawFixedPatch(0, 0, FRACUNIT, 0, kts_copyright, NULL);
 			break;
@@ -1796,7 +1811,7 @@ void F_TitleScreenTicker(boolean run)
 	}
 
 	// no demos to play? or, are they disabled?
-	if (!cv_rollingdemos.value)
+	if (!cv_rollingdemos.value || cache_gametrulystarted == false)
 		return;
 
 	#if defined (TESTERS)
diff --git a/src/m_cond.c b/src/m_cond.c
index 7815eae6f..b4f5a0ba6 100644
--- a/src/m_cond.c
+++ b/src/m_cond.c
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ unlockable_t unlockables[MAXUNLOCKABLES];
 // Number of emblems
 INT32 numemblems = 0;
 
+// The challenge that will truly let the games begin.
+UINT16 gamestartchallenge = 600; // 601
+
 // Create a new gamedata_t, for start-up
 void M_NewGameDataStruct(void)
 {
@@ -3200,6 +3203,27 @@ UINT16 M_CompletionEmblems(void) // Bah! Duplication sucks, but it's for a separ
 // Quick unlock checks
 // -------------------
 
+boolean M_GameTrulyStarted(void)
+{
+	// Fail safe
+	if (gamedata == NULL)
+		return false;
+
+	// Not set
+	if (gamestartchallenge >= MAXUNLOCKABLES)
+		return true;
+
+	// An unfortunate sidestep, but sync is important.
+	if (netgame)
+		return true;
+
+	// Okay, we can check to see if this challenge has been achieved.
+	return (
+		gamedata->unlockpending[gamestartchallenge]
+		|| gamedata->unlocked[gamestartchallenge]
+	);
+}
+
 boolean M_CheckNetUnlockByID(UINT16 unlockid)
 {
 	if (unlockid >= MAXUNLOCKABLES
diff --git a/src/m_cond.h b/src/m_cond.h
index e79a28676..87c38060e 100644
--- a/src/m_cond.h
+++ b/src/m_cond.h
@@ -435,9 +435,12 @@ void M_UpdateNextPrisonEggPickup(void);
 UINT16 M_CheckLevelEmblems(void);
 UINT16 M_CompletionEmblems(void);
 
+extern UINT16 gamestartchallenge;
+
 // Checking unlockable status
 boolean M_CheckNetUnlockByID(UINT16 unlockid);
 boolean M_SecretUnlocked(INT32 type, boolean local);
+boolean M_GameTrulyStarted(void);
 boolean M_CupLocked(cupheader_t *cup);
 boolean M_CupSecondRowLocked(void);
 boolean M_MapLocked(UINT16 mapnum);
diff --git a/src/menus/extras-challenges.c b/src/menus/extras-challenges.c
index da5dc2bd1..fcfd72fe5 100644
--- a/src/menus/extras-challenges.c
+++ b/src/menus/extras-challenges.c
@@ -291,7 +291,8 @@ menu_t *M_InterruptMenuWithChallenges(menu_t *desiredmenu)
 {
 	UINT16 newunlock;
 
-	if (Playing())
+	if (Playing() == true
+	|| M_GameTrulyStarted() == false)
 		return desiredmenu;
 
 	M_UpdateUnlockablesAndExtraEmblems(false, true);
@@ -376,9 +377,8 @@ boolean M_CanKeyHiliTile(void)
 
 	UINT16 i = (challengesmenu.hilix * CHALLENGEGRIDHEIGHT) + challengesmenu.hiliy;
 
-	// Not a hinted tile OR a fresh board.
-	if (!(challengesmenu.extradata[i].flags & CHE_HINT)
-	&& (challengesmenu.unlockcount[CMC_UNLOCKED] > 0))
+	// Not a hinted tile.
+	if (!(challengesmenu.extradata[i].flags & CHE_HINT))
 		return false;
 
 	// Marked as major?