diff --git a/src/core/GlobalState.cpp b/src/core/GlobalState.cpp
index d8d8cd3..3c74a19 100644
--- a/src/core/GlobalState.cpp
+++ b/src/core/GlobalState.cpp
@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@ void GlobalState::shutdown() {
 void GlobalState::updateFireworks(double frameMs) {
     const Uint64 currentTime = SDL_GetTicks();
     
-    // Create new fireworks occasionally
-    if (currentTime - lastFireworkTime > 800 + (rand() % 1200)) {
-        // Spawn bias similar to legacy: lower-right area
-        float x = Config::Logical::WIDTH * (0.55f + (rand() % 35) / 100.0f);   // ~55% - 90%
-        float y = Config::Logical::HEIGHT * (0.80f + (rand() % 15) / 100.0f);  // ~80% - 95%
+    // Create new fireworks less frequently for subtle background effect
+    if (currentTime - lastFireworkTime > 1200 + (rand() % 1800)) { // Less frequent: 1200-3000ms
+        // Spawn across wider area for better coverage
+        float x = Config::Logical::WIDTH * (0.15f + (rand() % 70) / 100.0f);   // 15% - 85%
+        float y = Config::Logical::HEIGHT * (0.20f + (rand() % 60) / 100.0f);  // 20% - 80%
         createFirework(x, y);
         lastFireworkTime = currentTime;
     }
@@ -65,13 +65,13 @@ void GlobalState::updateFireworks(double frameMs) {
             float dt = float(frameMs / 1000.0f);
             particle.x += particle.vx * dt;
             particle.y += particle.vy * dt;
-            particle.vx *= (1.0f - 0.6f * dt); // horizontal friction
-            particle.vy = particle.vy * (1.0f - 0.3f * dt) + 90.0f * dt; // gravity with damping
+            particle.vx *= (1.0f - 0.5f * dt); // Less friction for longer travel
+            particle.vy = particle.vy * (1.0f - 0.2f * dt) + 80.0f * dt; // Gentler gravity
             particle.life -= frameMs;
             
-            // Smaller particles overall
+            // Smaller particles for subtle effect
             float lifeRatio = particle.life / particle.maxLife;
-            particle.size = 6.0f + 5.0f * lifeRatio;
+            particle.size = 6.0f + 4.0f * lifeRatio; // Smaller particles
 
             if (particle.life > 0) {
                 hasActiveParticles = true;
@@ -102,8 +102,8 @@ void GlobalState::createFirework(float x, float y) {
     firework->active = true;
     firework->particles.clear();
 
-    // Create particles
-    const int particleCount = 10 + (rand() % 6);
+    // Create fewer particles for subtle background effect
+    const int particleCount = 12 + (rand() % 8); // 12-20 particles per explosion
     for (int i = 0; i < particleCount; ++i) {
         BlockParticle particle;
         particle.x = x;
@@ -111,14 +111,14 @@ void GlobalState::createFirework(float x, float y) {
         
         // Random velocity in all directions
         float angle = (float)(rand() % 360) * 3.14159f / 180.0f;
-    float speed = 70.0f + (rand() % 90);
+        float speed = 80.0f + (rand() % 100); // Moderate speed
         particle.vx = cos(angle) * speed;
         particle.vy = sin(angle) * speed - 50.0f; // Slight upward bias
         
         particle.type = 1 + (rand() % 7); // Random tetris piece color
-    particle.maxLife = 1200.0f + (rand() % 800); // ~1.2-2.0 seconds
+        particle.maxLife = 1500.0f + (rand() % 1000); // Medium life: ~1.5-2.5 seconds
         particle.life = particle.maxLife;
-    particle.size = 6.0f + (rand() % 5);
+        particle.size = 6.0f + (rand() % 5); // Smaller particles
         
         firework->particles.push_back(particle);
     }
@@ -133,10 +133,10 @@ void GlobalState::drawFireworks(SDL_Renderer* renderer, SDL_Texture* blocksTex)
         for (const auto& particle : firework.particles) {
             if (particle.life <= 0) continue;
 
-            // Calculate alpha based on remaining life
+            // Calculate alpha based on remaining life - more transparent for subtle effect
             float lifeRatio = particle.life / particle.maxLife;
-            // Faster fade like legacy
-            Uint8 alpha = (Uint8)(255 * std::min(1.0f, lifeRatio * 1.6f));
+            // Reduced opacity: 50% of original for subtle background effect
+            Uint8 alpha = (Uint8)(128 * std::min(1.0f, lifeRatio * 1.6f));
 
             // Set texture alpha
             SDL_SetTextureAlphaMod(blocksTex, alpha);
diff --git a/src/states/MenuState.cpp b/src/states/MenuState.cpp
index fc9279e..5b42fd1 100644
--- a/src/states/MenuState.cpp
+++ b/src/states/MenuState.cpp
@@ -148,8 +148,11 @@ void MenuState::handleEvent(const SDL_Event& e) {
 }
 
 void MenuState::update(double frameMs) {
-    // Update logo animation counter and particles similar to main
-    (void)frameMs;
+    // Update logo animation counter
+    GlobalState::instance().logoAnimCounter += frameMs;
+    
+    // Update fireworks particles
+    GlobalState::instance().updateFireworks(frameMs);
 }
 
 void MenuState::render(SDL_Renderer* renderer, float logicalScale, SDL_Rect logicalVP) {