diff --git a/ui/hud.gd b/ui/hud.gd
index db38780..ee010c5 100644
--- a/ui/hud.gd
+++ b/ui/hud.gd
@@ -590,6 +590,11 @@ func _present_outcome() -> void:
 	_over_continue.text = "Play Again  (Enter)" if _is_final_boss else "Continue  (Enter)"
 	_over_continue.visible = _result_win
 	_over_again.visible = not _result_win
+	# Nothing has focus by default when this screen appears, so a gamepad's ui_accept/ui_left/
+	# ui_right (bound to Godot's built-in ui_* actions) would have nothing to act on — grab it
+	# on the default button, same as main_menu.gd does for its own panels. Geometry-based focus
+	# neighbors (Godot's default) then let ui_left/ui_right reach Main Menu from here.
+	(_over_continue if _result_win else _over_again).grab_focus()
 
 	var path := _THANKYOU_VIDEO if _is_final_boss else (_WIN_VIDEO if _result_win else _LOSS_VIDEO)
 	if ResourceLoader.exists(path):