diff --git a/files.cmake b/files.cmake
index 7d07408613..c6cf3b5d3d 100644
--- a/files.cmake
+++ b/files.cmake
@@ -1358,6 +1358,8 @@ set(DUSK_FILES
         src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiMenuTools.hpp
         src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiMenuEnhancements.cpp
         src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiMenuEnhancements.hpp
+        src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiFirstRunPreset.hpp
+        src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiFirstRunPreset.cpp
         src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiProcessOverlay.cpp
         src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiCameraOverlay.cpp
         src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiHeapOverlay.cpp
diff --git a/include/dusk/config.hpp b/include/dusk/config.hpp
index 258e012f2b..0fd0ad8556 100644
--- a/include/dusk/config.hpp
+++ b/include/dusk/config.hpp
@@ -111,6 +111,13 @@ void Save();
  */
 ConfigVarBase* GetConfigVar(std::string_view name);
 
+/**
+ * \brief Returns true if no config file was found on the last LoadFromUserPreferences() call.
+ *
+ * For detect first run to prompt the user to choose a preset.
+ */
+bool WasConfigFileMissing();
+
 template <ConfigValue T>
 const ConfigImplBase* GetConfigImpl() {
     static ConfigImpl<T> config;
diff --git a/src/dusk/config.cpp b/src/dusk/config.cpp
index 159706fac8..1fa2e689b6 100644
--- a/src/dusk/config.cpp
+++ b/src/dusk/config.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ aurora::Module DuskConfigLog("dusk::config");
 
 static absl::flat_hash_map<std::string_view, ConfigVarBase*> RegisteredConfigVars;
 static bool RegistrationDone;
+static bool s_configFileMissing = false;
 
 static std::string GetConfigJsonPath() {
     return fmt::format("{}{}", configPath, ConfigFileName);
@@ -187,6 +188,7 @@ void dusk::config::LoadFromFileName(const char* path) {
     } catch (const std::system_error& e) {
         if (e.code() == std::errc::no_such_file_or_directory) {
             DuskConfigLog.info("Config file did not exist, staying with defaults");
+            s_configFileMissing = true;
         } else {
             DuskConfigLog.error("Failed to load from config! {}", e.what());
         }
@@ -212,6 +214,10 @@ void dusk::config::Save() {
     io::FileStream::WriteAllText(configJsonPath.c_str(), j.dump(4));
 }
 
+bool dusk::config::WasConfigFileMissing() {
+    return s_configFileMissing;
+}
+
 ConfigVarBase* dusk::config::GetConfigVar(std::string_view name) {
     const auto configVar = RegisteredConfigVars.find(name);
     if (configVar != RegisteredConfigVars.end()) {
diff --git a/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiConsole.cpp b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiConsole.cpp
index fe5d3e7c9a..7140af5fc7 100644
--- a/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiConsole.cpp
+++ b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiConsole.cpp
@@ -184,6 +184,10 @@ namespace dusk {
             m_isLaunchInitialized = true;
         }
 
+        if (config::WasConfigFileMissing()) {
+            m_firstRunPreset.draw();
+        }
+
         getTransientSettings().skipFrameRateLimit = getSettings().game.enableTurboKeybind && ImGui::IsKeyDown(ImGuiKey_Tab);
         
         if ((ImGui::IsKeyDown(ImGuiKey_LeftCtrl) || ImGui::IsKeyDown(ImGuiKey_RightCtrl)) &&
diff --git a/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiConsole.hpp b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiConsole.hpp
index 27032ed39b..75da71f6a3 100644
--- a/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiConsole.hpp
+++ b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiConsole.hpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <deque>
 #include <string>
 
+#include "ImGuiFirstRunPreset.hpp"
 #include "ImGuiMenuEnhancements.hpp"
 #include "ImGuiMenuGame.hpp"
 #include "ImGuiMenuTools.hpp"
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ private:
     bool m_isLaunchInitialized = false;
     std::deque<Toast> m_toasts;
 
+    ImGuiFirstRunPreset m_firstRunPreset;
     ImGuiMenuGame m_menuGame;
     ImGuiMenuEnhancements m_menuEnhancements;
 
diff --git a/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiEngine.cpp b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiEngine.cpp
index a6abc5b0b9..37e0415f41 100644
--- a/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiEngine.cpp
+++ b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiEngine.cpp
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ void ImGuiEngine_Initialize(float scale) {
     colors[ImGuiCol_NavHighlight] = ImVec4(0.26f, 0.59f, 0.98f, 1.00f);
     colors[ImGuiCol_NavWindowingHighlight] = ImVec4(1.00f, 1.00f, 1.00f, 0.70f);
     colors[ImGuiCol_NavWindowingDimBg] = ImVec4(0.80f, 0.80f, 0.80f, 0.20f);
-    colors[ImGuiCol_ModalWindowDimBg] = ImVec4(0.80f, 0.80f, 0.80f, 0.35f);
+    colors[ImGuiCol_ModalWindowDimBg] = ImVec4(0.00f, 0.00f, 0.00f, 0.60f);
 
 }
 
diff --git a/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiFirstRunPreset.cpp b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiFirstRunPreset.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..275af7a0fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiFirstRunPreset.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+#include "ImGuiFirstRunPreset.hpp"
+
+#include "imgui.h"
+#include "ImGuiConsole.hpp"
+#include "ImGuiEngine.hpp"
+#include "dusk/settings.h"
+#include "dusk/config.hpp"
+
+namespace dusk {
+
+static void ApplyPresetVanilla() {
+    auto& s = getSettings();
+    // todo: lock aspect ratio
+}
+
+static void ApplyPresetDefault() {
+    auto& s = getSettings();
+    // todo: unlock aspect ratio
+    // todo: instant saving
+    s.game.hideTvSettingsScreen.setValue(true);
+}
+
+static void ApplyPresetQoL() {
+    auto& s = getSettings();
+    // todo: unlock aspect ratio
+    // todo: instant saving
+    // todo: more save files
+    // todo: autosave
+    s.game.enableQuickTransform.setValue(true);
+    s.game.hideTvSettingsScreen.setValue(true);
+    s.game.noReturnRupees.setValue(true);
+    s.game.disableRupeeCutscenes.setValue(true);
+    s.game.noSwordRecoil.setValue(true);
+    s.game.fastClimbing.setValue(true);
+    s.game.noMissClimbing.setValue(true);
+    s.game.fastTears.setValue(true);
+    s.game.noLowHpSound.setValue(true);
+    s.game.midnasLamentNonStop.setValue(true);
+    s.game.enableFastIronBoots.setValue(true);
+    s.game.canTransformAnywhere.setValue(true);
+    s.game.enableTurboKeybind.setValue(true);
+}
+
+// =========================================================================
+
+void ImGuiFirstRunPreset::draw() {
+    const char* modalTitle = "Welcome to Dusk!";
+
+    if (m_done) return;
+
+    if (!m_opened) {
+        ImGui::OpenPopup(modalTitle);
+        m_opened = true;
+    }
+
+    const ImGuiViewport* viewport = ImGui::GetMainViewport();
+    ImGui::SetNextWindowPos(viewport->GetCenter(), ImGuiCond_Always, ImVec2(0.5f, 0.5f));
+    ImGui::SetNextWindowSize(ImVec2(800.0f * ImGuiScale(), 0.0f), ImGuiCond_Always);
+
+    if (!ImGui::BeginPopupModal(modalTitle, nullptr, ImGuiWindowFlags_AlwaysAutoResize | ImGuiWindowFlags_NoMove)) {
+        // force the user to actually pick one, and not just hit escape to skip the dialog
+        m_opened = false;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    ImGui::TextWrapped("Choose a preset to get started. You can change any setting later from the Enhancements menu.");
+    ImGui::Spacing();
+    ImGui::Separator();
+    ImGui::Spacing();
+
+    int chosen = -1;
+
+    if (ImGui::BeginTable("##presets", 5, ImGuiTableFlags_None)) {
+        ImGui::TableSetupColumn(nullptr, ImGuiTableColumnFlags_WidthStretch);
+        ImGui::TableSetupColumn(nullptr, ImGuiTableColumnFlags_WidthFixed, 16.0f * ImGuiScale());
+        ImGui::TableSetupColumn(nullptr, ImGuiTableColumnFlags_WidthStretch);
+        ImGui::TableSetupColumn(nullptr, ImGuiTableColumnFlags_WidthFixed, 16.0f * ImGuiScale());
+        ImGui::TableSetupColumn(nullptr, ImGuiTableColumnFlags_WidthStretch);
+
+        ImGui::TableNextRow();
+
+        ImGui::PushFont(ImGuiEngine::fontLarge);
+
+        ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(0);
+        if (ImGui::Button("Vanilla##btn", ImVec2(ImGui::GetContentRegionAvail().x, 80.0f * ImGuiScale()))) {
+            chosen = 0;
+        }
+
+        ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(2);
+        if (ImGui::Button("Default##btn", ImVec2(ImGui::GetContentRegionAvail().x, 80.0f * ImGuiScale()))) {
+            chosen = 1;
+        }
+
+        ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(4);
+        if (ImGui::Button("Quality of Life##btn", ImVec2(ImGui::GetContentRegionAvail().x, 80.0f * ImGuiScale()))) {
+            chosen = 2;
+        }
+
+        ImGui::PopFont();
+
+        ImGui::TableNextRow();
+
+        ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(0);
+        ImGui::Spacing();
+        ImGui::TextWrapped("All enhancements disabled. Plays closest to the original game; good for speedrunning or simple nostalgia!");
+
+        ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(2);
+        ImGui::Spacing();
+        ImGui::TextWrapped("Some enhancements enabled, maintaining a vanilla feel. A good starting point for most players!");
+
+        ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(4);
+        ImGui::Spacing();
+        ImGui::TextWrapped("Many quality of life enhancements enabled. Good for seasoned players!");
+
+        ImGui::EndTable();
+    }
+
+    if (chosen >= 0) {
+        if (chosen == 0) ApplyPresetVanilla();
+        if (chosen == 1) ApplyPresetDefault();
+        if (chosen == 2) ApplyPresetQoL();
+        config::Save();
+        m_done = true;
+        ImGui::CloseCurrentPopup();
+    }
+
+    ImGui::EndPopup();
+}
+
+}  // namespace dusk
diff --git a/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiFirstRunPreset.hpp b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiFirstRunPreset.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..33ba6b3d0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dusk/imgui/ImGuiFirstRunPreset.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+#pragma once
+
+namespace dusk {
+
+class ImGuiFirstRunPreset {
+public:
+    void draw();
+
+private:
+    bool m_opened = false;
+    bool m_done = false;
+};
+
+}  // namespace dusk