diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/TestCaseButtonSystem.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/TestCaseButtonSystem.cs
index 5eb81cdf9f..7f8133d638 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/TestCaseButtonSystem.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/TestCaseButtonSystem.cs
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 // Copyright (c) 2007-2018 ppy Pty Ltd <contact@ppy.sh>.
 // Licensed under the MIT Licence - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ppy/osu/master/LICENCE
 
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
 using NUnit.Framework;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Colour;
@@ -13,6 +16,13 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual
     [TestFixture]
     public class TestCaseButtonSystem : OsuTestCase
     {
+        public override IReadOnlyList<Type> RequiredTypes => new[]
+        {
+            typeof(ButtonSystem),
+            typeof(ButtonArea),
+            typeof(Button)
+        };
+
         public TestCaseButtonSystem()
         {
             OsuLogo logo;
@@ -30,6 +40,9 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual
             };
 
             buttons.SetOsuLogo(logo);
+
+            foreach (var s in Enum.GetValues(typeof(ButtonSystemState)).OfType<ButtonSystemState>().Skip(1))
+                AddStep($"State to {s}", () => buttons.State = s);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/Button.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/Button.cs
index 542ddd2c92..f862905b5e 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/Button.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/Button.cs
@@ -35,6 +35,12 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
         private readonly Box boxHoverLayer;
         private readonly SpriteIcon icon;
         private readonly string sampleName;
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// The menu state for which we are visible for.
+        /// </summary>
+        public ButtonSystemState? VisibleState;
+
         private readonly Action clickAction;
         private readonly Key triggerKey;
         private SampleChannel sampleClick;
@@ -51,7 +57,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
             AutoSizeAxes = Axes.Both;
             Alpha = 0;
 
-            Vector2 boxSize = new Vector2(ButtonSystem.BUTTON_WIDTH + Math.Abs(extraWidth), ButtonSystem.BUTTON_AREA_HEIGHT);
+            Vector2 boxSize = new Vector2(ButtonSystem.BUTTON_WIDTH + Math.Abs(extraWidth), ButtonArea.BUTTON_AREA_HEIGHT);
 
             Children = new Drawable[]
             {
@@ -260,6 +266,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
                                 this.FadeOut(800);
                                 break;
                         }
+
                         break;
                     case ButtonState.Expanded:
                         const int expand_duration = 500;
@@ -276,6 +283,33 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
                 StateChanged?.Invoke(State);
             }
         }
+
+        public ButtonSystemState ButtonSystemState
+        {
+            set
+            {
+                ContractStyle = 0;
+
+                switch (value)
+                {
+                    case ButtonSystemState.Initial:
+                        State = ButtonState.Contracted;
+                        break;
+                    case ButtonSystemState.EnteringMode:
+                        ContractStyle = 1;
+                        State = ButtonState.Contracted;
+                        break;
+                    default:
+                        if (!VisibleState.HasValue || value == VisibleState)
+                            State = ButtonState.Expanded;
+                        else if (value < VisibleState)
+                            State = ButtonState.Contracted;
+                        else
+                            State = ButtonState.Exploded;
+                        break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     public enum ButtonState
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/ButtonSystem.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/ButtonSystem.cs
index 374877673f..4f2437cf01 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/ButtonSystem.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/ButtonSystem.cs
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ using osu.Framework.Audio;
 using osu.Framework.Audio.Sample;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Containers;
-using osu.Framework.Graphics.Shapes;
 using osu.Framework.Input;
 using osu.Framework.Input.Bindings;
+using osu.Framework.Logging;
 using osu.Framework.Threading;
 using osu.Game.Graphics;
 using osu.Game.Input.Bindings;
@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@ using OpenTK.Input;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
 {
-    public class ButtonSystem : Container, IStateful<MenuState>, IKeyBindingHandler<GlobalAction>
+    public class ButtonSystem : Container, IStateful<ButtonSystemState>, IKeyBindingHandler<GlobalAction>
     {
-        public event Action<MenuState> StateChanged;
+        public event Action<ButtonSystemState> StateChanged;
 
         public Action OnEdit;
         public Action OnExit;
@@ -34,12 +34,6 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
         public Action OnSettings;
         public Action OnMulti;
         public Action OnChart;
-        public Action OnTest;
-
-        private readonly FlowContainerWithOrigin buttonFlow;
-
-        //todo: make these non-internal somehow.
-        public const float BUTTON_AREA_HEIGHT = 100;
 
         public const float BUTTON_WIDTH = 140f;
         public const float WEDGE_WIDTH = 20;
@@ -55,18 +49,16 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
                 this.logo.Action = onOsuLogo;
 
                 // osuLogo.SizeForFlow relies on loading to be complete.
-                buttonFlow.Position = new Vector2(WEDGE_WIDTH * 2 - (BUTTON_WIDTH + this.logo.SizeForFlow / 4), 0);
+                buttonArea.Flow.Position = new Vector2(WEDGE_WIDTH * 2 - (BUTTON_WIDTH + this.logo.SizeForFlow / 4), 0);
 
                 updateLogoState();
             }
         }
 
         private readonly Drawable iconFacade;
-        private readonly Container buttonArea;
-        private readonly Box buttonAreaBackground;
+        private readonly ButtonArea buttonArea;
 
         private readonly Button backButton;
-        private readonly Button settingsButton;
 
         private readonly List<Button> buttonsTopLevel = new List<Button>();
         private readonly List<Button> buttonsPlay = new List<Button>();
@@ -77,57 +69,39 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
         {
             RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both;
 
-            Children = new Drawable[]
+            Child = buttonArea = new ButtonArea();
+
+            buttonArea.AddRange(new[]
             {
-                buttonArea = new Container
+                new Button(@"settings", string.Empty, FontAwesome.fa_gear, new Color4(85, 85, 85, 255), () => OnSettings?.Invoke(), -WEDGE_WIDTH, Key.O)
                 {
-                    Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
-                    Origin = Anchor.Centre,
-                    RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.X,
-                    Size = new Vector2(1, BUTTON_AREA_HEIGHT),
-                    Alpha = 0,
-                    Children = new Drawable[]
-                    {
-                        buttonAreaBackground = new Box
-                        {
-                            RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
-                            Size = new Vector2(2, 1),
-                            Colour = OsuColour.Gray(50),
-                            Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
-                            Origin = Anchor.Centre,
-                        },
-                        buttonFlow = new FlowContainerWithOrigin
-                        {
-                            Direction = FillDirection.Horizontal,
-                            Spacing = new Vector2(-WEDGE_WIDTH, 0),
-                            Anchor = Anchor.Centre,
-                            AutoSizeAxes = Axes.Both,
-                            Children = new[]
-                            {
-                                settingsButton = new Button(@"settings", string.Empty, FontAwesome.fa_gear, new Color4(85, 85, 85, 255), () => OnSettings?.Invoke(), -WEDGE_WIDTH, Key.O),
-                                backButton = new Button(@"back", string.Empty, FontAwesome.fa_osu_left_o, new Color4(51, 58, 94, 255), onBack, -WEDGE_WIDTH),
-                                iconFacade = new Container //need a container to make the osu! icon flow properly.
-                                {
-                                    Size = new Vector2(0, BUTTON_AREA_HEIGHT)
-                                }
-                            },
-                            CentreTarget = iconFacade
-                        }
-                    }
+                    VisibleState = ButtonSystemState.TopLevel,
                 },
-            };
+                backButton = new Button(@"back", @"button-back-select", FontAwesome.fa_osu_left_o, new Color4(51, 58, 94, 255), () => State = ButtonSystemState.TopLevel, -WEDGE_WIDTH)
+                {
+                    VisibleState = ButtonSystemState.Play,
+                },
+                iconFacade = new Container //need a container to make the osu! icon flow properly.
+                {
+                    Size = new Vector2(0, ButtonArea.BUTTON_AREA_HEIGHT)
+                }
+            });
+
+            buttonArea.Flow.CentreTarget = iconFacade;
 
             buttonsPlay.Add(new Button(@"solo", @"button-solo-select", FontAwesome.fa_user, new Color4(102, 68, 204, 255), () => OnSolo?.Invoke(), WEDGE_WIDTH, Key.P));
             buttonsPlay.Add(new Button(@"multi", @"button-generic-select", FontAwesome.fa_users, new Color4(94, 63, 186, 255), () => OnMulti?.Invoke(), 0, Key.M));
             buttonsPlay.Add(new Button(@"chart", @"button-generic-select", FontAwesome.fa_osu_charts, new Color4(80, 53, 160, 255), () => OnChart?.Invoke()));
+            buttonsPlay.ForEach(b => b.VisibleState = ButtonSystemState.Play);
 
-            buttonsTopLevel.Add(new Button(@"play", @"button-play-select", FontAwesome.fa_osu_logo, new Color4(102, 68, 204, 255), onPlay, WEDGE_WIDTH, Key.P));
+            buttonsTopLevel.Add(new Button(@"play", @"button-play-select", FontAwesome.fa_osu_logo, new Color4(102, 68, 204, 255), () => State = ButtonSystemState.Play, WEDGE_WIDTH, Key.P));
             buttonsTopLevel.Add(new Button(@"osu!editor", @"button-generic-select", FontAwesome.fa_osu_edit_o, new Color4(238, 170, 0, 255), () => OnEdit?.Invoke(), 0, Key.E));
             buttonsTopLevel.Add(new Button(@"osu!direct", @"button-direct-select", FontAwesome.fa_osu_chevron_down_o, new Color4(165, 204, 0, 255), () => OnDirect?.Invoke(), 0, Key.D));
-            buttonsTopLevel.Add(new Button(@"exit", string.Empty, FontAwesome.fa_osu_cross_o, new Color4(238, 51, 153, 255), onExit, 0, Key.Q));
+            buttonsTopLevel.Add(new Button(@"exit", string.Empty, FontAwesome.fa_osu_cross_o, new Color4(238, 51, 153, 255), () => OnExit?.Invoke(), 0, Key.Q));
+            buttonsTopLevel.ForEach(b => b.VisibleState = ButtonSystemState.TopLevel);
 
-            buttonFlow.AddRange(buttonsPlay);
-            buttonFlow.AddRange(buttonsTopLevel);
+            buttonArea.AddRange(buttonsPlay);
+            buttonArea.AddRange(buttonsTopLevel);
         }
 
         private OsuGame game;
@@ -164,14 +138,17 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
             }
         }
 
+        public bool OnReleased(GlobalAction action) => false;
+
         private bool goBack()
         {
             switch (State)
             {
-                case MenuState.TopLevel:
-                    State = MenuState.Initial;
+                case ButtonSystemState.TopLevel:
+                    State = ButtonSystemState.Initial;
+                    sampleBack?.Play();
                     return true;
-                case MenuState.Play:
+                case ButtonSystemState.Play:
                     backButton.TriggerOnClick();
                     return true;
                 default:
@@ -179,48 +156,30 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
             }
         }
 
-        public bool OnReleased(GlobalAction action) => false;
-
-        private void onPlay()
-        {
-            State = MenuState.Play;
-        }
-
-        private void onExit()
-        {
-            OnExit?.Invoke();
-        }
-
-        private void onBack()
-        {
-            sampleBack?.Play();
-            State = MenuState.TopLevel;
-        }
-
         private bool onOsuLogo()
         {
             switch (state)
             {
                 default:
                     return true;
-                case MenuState.Initial:
-                    State = MenuState.TopLevel;
+                case ButtonSystemState.Initial:
+                    State = ButtonSystemState.TopLevel;
                     return true;
-                case MenuState.TopLevel:
+                case ButtonSystemState.TopLevel:
                     buttonsTopLevel.First().TriggerOnClick();
                     return false;
-                case MenuState.Play:
+                case ButtonSystemState.Play:
                     buttonsPlay.First().TriggerOnClick();
                     return false;
             }
         }
 
-        private MenuState state;
+        private ButtonSystemState state = ButtonSystemState.Initial;
 
-        public override bool HandleKeyboardInput => state != MenuState.Exit;
-        public override bool HandleMouseInput => state != MenuState.Exit;
+        public override bool HandleKeyboardInput => state != ButtonSystemState.Exit;
+        public override bool HandleMouseInput => state != ButtonSystemState.Exit;
 
-        public MenuState State
+        public ButtonSystemState State
         {
             get { return state; }
 
@@ -228,71 +187,19 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
             {
                 if (state == value) return;
 
-                MenuState lastState = state;
+                ButtonSystemState lastState = state;
                 state = value;
 
-                //todo: figure a more elegant way of doing this.
-                buttonsTopLevel.ForEach(b => b.ContractStyle = 0);
-                buttonsPlay.ForEach(b => b.ContractStyle = 0);
-                backButton.ContractStyle = 0;
-                settingsButton.ContractStyle = 0;
-
                 updateLogoState(lastState);
 
-                using (buttonArea.BeginDelayedSequence(lastState == MenuState.Initial ? 150 : 0, true))
+                Logger.Log($"{nameof(ButtonSystem)}'s state changed from {lastState} to {state}");
+
+                using (buttonArea.BeginDelayedSequence(lastState == ButtonSystemState.Initial ? 150 : 0, true))
                 {
-                    switch (state)
-                    {
-                        case MenuState.Exit:
-                        case MenuState.Initial:
-                            buttonAreaBackground.ScaleTo(Vector2.One, 500, Easing.Out);
-                            buttonArea.FadeOut(300);
+                    buttonArea.ButtonSystemState = state;
 
-                            foreach (Button b in buttonsTopLevel)
-                                b.State = ButtonState.Contracted;
-
-                            foreach (Button b in buttonsPlay)
-                                b.State = ButtonState.Contracted;
-
-                            if (state != MenuState.Exit && lastState == MenuState.TopLevel)
-                                sampleBack?.Play();
-                            break;
-                        case MenuState.TopLevel:
-                            buttonAreaBackground.ScaleTo(Vector2.One, 200, Easing.Out);
-
-                            buttonArea.FadeIn(300);
-
-                            foreach (Button b in buttonsTopLevel)
-                                b.State = ButtonState.Expanded;
-
-                            foreach (Button b in buttonsPlay)
-                                b.State = ButtonState.Contracted;
-                            break;
-                        case MenuState.Play:
-                            foreach (Button b in buttonsTopLevel)
-                                b.State = ButtonState.Exploded;
-
-                            foreach (Button b in buttonsPlay)
-                                b.State = ButtonState.Expanded;
-                            break;
-                        case MenuState.EnteringMode:
-                            buttonAreaBackground.ScaleTo(new Vector2(2, 0), 300, Easing.InSine);
-
-                            buttonsTopLevel.ForEach(b => b.ContractStyle = 1);
-                            buttonsPlay.ForEach(b => b.ContractStyle = 1);
-                            backButton.ContractStyle = 1;
-                            settingsButton.ContractStyle = 1;
-
-                            foreach (Button b in buttonsTopLevel)
-                                b.State = ButtonState.Contracted;
-
-                            foreach (Button b in buttonsPlay)
-                                b.State = ButtonState.Contracted;
-                            break;
-                    }
-
-                    backButton.State = state == MenuState.Play ? ButtonState.Expanded : ButtonState.Contracted;
-                    settingsButton.State = state == MenuState.TopLevel ? ButtonState.Expanded : ButtonState.Contracted;
+                    foreach (var b in buttonArea.Children.OfType<Button>())
+                        b.ButtonSystemState = state;
                 }
 
                 StateChanged?.Invoke(State);
@@ -301,14 +208,14 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
 
         private ScheduledDelegate logoDelayedAction;
 
-        private void updateLogoState(MenuState lastState = MenuState.Initial)
+        private void updateLogoState(ButtonSystemState lastState = ButtonSystemState.Initial)
         {
             if (logo == null) return;
 
             switch (state)
             {
-                case MenuState.Exit:
-                case MenuState.Initial:
+                case ButtonSystemState.Exit:
+                case ButtonSystemState.Initial:
                     logoDelayedAction?.Cancel();
                     logoDelayedAction = Scheduler.AddDelayed(() =>
                         {
@@ -316,7 +223,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
 
                             if (game != null)
                             {
-                                game.OverlayActivationMode.Value = state == MenuState.Exit ? OverlayActivation.Disabled : OverlayActivation.All;
+                                game.OverlayActivationMode.Value = state == ButtonSystemState.Exit ? OverlayActivation.Disabled : OverlayActivation.All;
                                 game.Toolbar.Hide();
                             }
 
@@ -327,22 +234,22 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
                             logo.ScaleTo(1, 800, Easing.OutExpo);
                         }, buttonArea.Alpha * 150);
                     break;
-                case MenuState.TopLevel:
-                case MenuState.Play:
+                case ButtonSystemState.TopLevel:
+                case ButtonSystemState.Play:
                     switch (lastState)
                     {
-                        case MenuState.TopLevel: // coming from toplevel to play
+                        case ButtonSystemState.TopLevel: // coming from toplevel to play
                             break;
-                        case MenuState.Initial:
+                        case ButtonSystemState.Initial:
                             logo.ClearTransforms(targetMember: nameof(Position));
                             logo.RelativePositionAxes = Axes.None;
 
                             bool impact = logo.Scale.X > 0.6f;
 
-                            if (lastState == MenuState.Initial)
+                            if (lastState == ButtonSystemState.Initial)
                                 logo.ScaleTo(0.5f, 200, Easing.In);
 
-                            logo.MoveTo(logoTrackingPosition, lastState == MenuState.EnteringMode ? 0 : 200, Easing.In);
+                            logo.MoveTo(logoTrackingPosition, lastState == ButtonSystemState.EnteringMode ? 0 : 200, Easing.In);
 
                             logoDelayedAction?.Cancel();
                             logoDelayedAction = Scheduler.AddDelayed(() =>
@@ -368,7 +275,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
                     }
 
                     break;
-                case MenuState.EnteringMode:
+                case ButtonSystemState.EnteringMode:
                     logoTracking = true;
                     break;
             }
@@ -387,7 +294,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
 
             if (logo != null)
             {
-                if (logoTracking)
+                if (logoTracking && iconFacade.IsLoaded)
                     logo.Position = logoTrackingPosition;
 
                 iconFacade.Width = logo.SizeForFlow * 0.5f;
@@ -395,12 +302,12 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
         }
     }
 
-    public enum MenuState
+    public enum ButtonSystemState
     {
+        Exit,
         Initial,
         TopLevel,
         Play,
         EnteringMode,
-        Exit,
     }
 }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/MainMenu.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/MainMenu.cs
index cbdd8b4e8b..d922f49ce3 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/MainMenu.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Menu/MainMenu.cs
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
     {
         private readonly ButtonSystem buttons;
 
-        protected override bool HideOverlaysOnEnter => buttons.State == MenuState.Initial;
+        protected override bool HideOverlaysOnEnter => buttons.State == ButtonSystemState.Initial;
 
-        protected override bool AllowBackButton => buttons.State != MenuState.Initial;
+        protected override bool AllowBackButton => buttons.State != ButtonSystemState.Initial;
 
         private readonly BackgroundScreenDefault background;
         private Screen songSelect;
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
 
             if (resuming)
             {
-                buttons.State = MenuState.TopLevel;
+                buttons.State = ButtonSystemState.TopLevel;
 
                 const float length = 300;
 
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
 
             const float length = 400;
 
-            buttons.State = MenuState.EnteringMode;
+            buttons.State = ButtonSystemState.EnteringMode;
 
             Content.FadeOut(length, Easing.InSine);
             Content.MoveTo(new Vector2(-800, 0), length, Easing.InSine);
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Menu
 
         protected override bool OnExiting(Screen next)
         {
-            buttons.State = MenuState.Exit;
+            buttons.State = ButtonSystemState.Exit;
             Content.FadeOut(3000);
             return base.OnExiting(next);
         }