diff --git a/src/game.s b/src/game.s
index f589300..dcad180 100644
--- a/src/game.s
+++ b/src/game.s
@@ -1,11 +1,24 @@
+INCLUDE "hardware.inc"
+
 SECTION "Game Loop", ROM0
 
 Game_Start::
+    ; disable ldc (CAN ONLY BE DONE DURING VBLANK) & interrupts
+    halt
+    di
+    ld hl, rLCDC
+    res 7, [hl]
+
     ld hl, intro_Data
     call Map_Load
 
     call Player_Init
 
+    ; re-enable ldc & interrupts
+    ld hl, rLCDC
+    set 7, [hl]
+    ei
+
 .loop:
     ld hl, frame
     inc [hl]
diff --git a/src/title.s b/src/title.s
index aff4067..a1ecaa9 100644
--- a/src/title.s
+++ b/src/title.s
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+INCLUDE "game.inc"
 INCLUDE "hardware.inc"
 
 SECTION "Title Loop", ROM0
@@ -36,8 +37,15 @@ Title_Start::
 
     call Keys_Update
 
-    ; todo: check for start press and transition to game state
+    ld a, [keys]
+    and PADF_START
+    jr z, .wait
 
+    ld a, GAME_STATEF_GAME
+    ld [state], a
+    ret
+
+.wait:
     ; wait for vblank
     halt