diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/GL/GLGSRender.cpp b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/GL/GLGSRender.cpp
index 9ff528e8a2..d87fc25957 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/GL/GLGSRender.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/GL/GLGSRender.cpp
@@ -1028,7 +1028,7 @@ void GLGSRender::do_local_task(rsx::FIFO_state state)
 
 	if (m_overlay_manager)
 	{
-		if (!in_begin_end && async_flip_requested & flip_request::native_ui)
+		if (!in_begin_end && async_flip_requested & flip_request::native_ui && !is_stopped())
 		{
 			rsx::display_flip_info_t info{};
 			info.buffer = current_display_buffer;
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.cpp b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.cpp
index aabe0f4b7c..4c2f98bf02 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.cpp
@@ -7,9 +7,10 @@ namespace rsx
 	namespace overlays
 	{
 		template <typename T>
-		message_item::message_item(T msg_id)
+		message_item::message_item(T msg_id, u64 expiration, std::shared_ptr<atomic_t<u32>> refs)
 		{
-			m_expiration_time = get_system_time() + 5'000'000;
+			m_expiration_time = expiration == umax ? expiration : get_system_time() + expiration;
+			m_refs = std::move(refs);
 
 			m_text.set_font("Arial", 16);
 			m_text.set_text(msg_id);
@@ -21,12 +22,13 @@ namespace rsx
 			m_fade_animation.duration = 2.f;
 			m_fade_animation.active = true;
 		}
-		template message_item::message_item(std::string msg_id);
-		template message_item::message_item(localized_string_id msg_id);
+		template message_item::message_item(std::string msg_id, u64, std::shared_ptr<atomic_t<u32>>);
+		template message_item::message_item(localized_string_id msg_id, u64, std::shared_ptr<atomic_t<u32>>);
 
 		u64 message_item::get_expiration() const
 		{
-			return m_expiration_time;
+			// If reference counting is enabled and reached 0 consider it expired 
+			return m_refs && *m_refs == 0 ? 0 : m_expiration_time;
 		}
 
 		compiled_resource message_item::get_compiled()
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.h b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.h
index 62e429d819..1673ebd718 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.h
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ namespace rsx
 		{
 		public:
 			template <typename T>
-			message_item(T msg_id);
+			message_item(T msg_id, u64 expiration, std::shared_ptr<atomic_t<u32>> refs);
 			void update(usz index, u64 time);
 
 			u64 get_expiration() const;
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ namespace rsx
 			animation_color_interpolate m_fade_animation;
 
 			u64 m_expiration_time = 0;
+			std::shared_ptr<atomic_t<u32>> m_refs;
 			bool m_processed      = false;
 			usz m_cur_pos         = umax;
 		};
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ namespace rsx
 			compiled_resource get_compiled() override;
 
 			template <typename T>
-			void queue_message(T msg_id)
+			void queue_message(T msg_id, u64 expiration, std::shared_ptr<atomic_t<u32>> refs)
 			{
 				std::lock_guard lock(m_mutex_queue);
 
@@ -41,12 +42,12 @@ namespace rsx
 				{
 					for (auto id : msg_id)
 					{
-						m_queue.emplace_back(id);
+						m_queue.emplace_back(id, expiration, refs);
 					}
 				}
 				else
 				{
-					m_queue.emplace_back(msg_id);
+					m_queue.emplace_back(msg_id, expiration, std::move(refs));
 				}
 
 				visible = true;
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ namespace rsx
 		};
 
 		template <typename T>
-		void queue_message(T msg_id)
+		void queue_message(T msg_id, u64 expiration = 5'000'000, std::shared_ptr<atomic_t<u32>> refs = {})
 		{
 			if (auto manager = g_fxo->try_get<rsx::overlays::display_manager>())
 			{
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ namespace rsx
 					msg_overlay = std::make_shared<rsx::overlays::message>();
 					msg_overlay = manager->add(msg_overlay);
 				}
-				msg_overlay->queue_message(msg_id);
+				msg_overlay->queue_message(msg_id, expiration, std::move(refs));
 			}
 		}
 
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/RSXThread.cpp b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/RSXThread.cpp
index 78f8fc63bd..e12aec11ff 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/RSXThread.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/RSXThread.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #include "Emu/Cell/lv2/sys_time.h"
 #include "Emu/Cell/Modules/cellGcmSys.h"
 #include "Overlays/overlay_perf_metrics.h"
+#include "Overlays/overlay_message.h"
 #include "Program/GLSLCommon.h"
 #include "Utilities/date_time.h"
 #include "Utilities/StrUtil.h"
@@ -256,6 +257,14 @@ namespace rsx
 		}
 	}
 
+	extern void set_native_ui_flip()
+	{
+		if (auto rsxthr = rsx::get_current_renderer())
+		{
+			rsxthr->async_flip_requested |= rsx::thread::flip_request::native_ui;
+		}
+	}
+
 	std::pair<u32, u32> interleaved_range_info::calculate_required_range(u32 first, u32 count) const
 	{
 		if (single_vertex)
@@ -542,7 +551,8 @@ namespace rsx
 
 		if (g_cfg.savestate.start_paused)
 		{
-			m_pause_on_first_flip = true;
+			// Allow to render a whole frame within this emulation session so there won't be missing graphics 
+			m_pause_after_x_flips = 2;
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -701,15 +711,15 @@ namespace rsx
 			wait_pause();
 		}
 
-		on_semaphore_acquire_wait();
-
 		if ((state & (cpu_flag::dbg_global_pause + cpu_flag::exit)) == cpu_flag::dbg_global_pause)
 		{
 			// Wait 16ms during emulation pause. This reduces cpu load while still giving us the chance to render overlays.
+			do_local_task(rsx::FIFO_state::paused);
 			thread_ctrl::wait_on(state, old, 16000);
 		}
 		else
 		{
+			on_semaphore_acquire_wait();
 			std::this_thread::yield();
 		}
 	}
@@ -2670,10 +2680,9 @@ namespace rsx
 		{
 			performance_counters.sampled_frames++;
 
-			if (m_pause_on_first_flip)
+			if (m_pause_after_x_flips && m_pause_after_x_flips-- == 1)
 			{
 				Emu.Pause();
-				m_pause_on_first_flip = false;
 			}
 		}
 
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/RSXThread.h b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/RSXThread.h
index 95d60dc171..dc60f5badf 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/RSXThread.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/RSXThread.h
@@ -181,7 +181,8 @@ namespace rsx
 		empty = 1,    // PUT == GET
 		spinning = 2, // Puller continuously jumps to self addr (synchronization technique)
 		nop = 3,      // Puller is processing a NOP command
-		lock_wait = 4 // Puller is processing a lock acquire
+		lock_wait = 4,// Puller is processing a lock acquire
+		paused = 5,   // Puller is paused externallly
 	};
 
 	enum FIFO_hint : u8
@@ -540,8 +541,8 @@ namespace rsx
 		rsx::profiling_timer m_profiler;
 		frame_statistics_t m_frame_stats;
 
-		// Savestates vrelated
-		bool m_pause_on_first_flip = false;
+		// Savestates related
+		u32 m_pause_after_x_flips = 0;
 
 	public:
 		RsxDmaControl* ctrl = nullptr;
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/VK/VKGSRender.cpp b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/VK/VKGSRender.cpp
index 8c9fad5df0..a07f3c1e80 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/VK/VKGSRender.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/RSX/VK/VKGSRender.cpp
@@ -1710,7 +1710,7 @@ void VKGSRender::do_local_task(rsx::FIFO_state state)
 
 	if (m_overlay_manager)
 	{
-		if (!in_begin_end && async_flip_requested & flip_request::native_ui)
+		if (!in_begin_end && async_flip_requested & flip_request::native_ui && !is_stopped())
 		{
 			flush_command_queue(true);
 			rsx::display_flip_info_t info{};
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/System.cpp b/rpcs3/Emu/System.cpp
index f59fabbfca..d9a5a77f2b 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/System.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/System.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include "Emu/title.h"
 #include "Emu/IdManager.h"
 #include "Emu/RSX/Capture/rsx_replay.h"
+#include "Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.h"
 
 #include "Loader/PSF.h"
 #include "Loader/TAR.h"
@@ -101,6 +102,11 @@ namespace atomic_wait
 	extern void parse_hashtable(bool(*cb)(u64 id, u32 refs, u64 ptr, u32 max_coll));
 }
 
+namespace rsx
+{
+	void set_native_ui_flip();
+}
+
 template<>
 void fmt_class_string<game_boot_result>::format(std::string& out, u64 arg)
 {
@@ -2050,8 +2056,53 @@ bool Emulator::Pause(bool freeze_emulation)
 	// Signal profilers to print results (if enabled)
 	cpu_thread::flush_profilers();
 
+	auto on_select = [](u32, cpu_thread& cpu)
+	{
+		cpu.state += cpu_flag::dbg_global_pause;
+	};
+
+	idm::select<named_thread<ppu_thread>>(on_select);
+	idm::select<named_thread<spu_thread>>(on_select);
+
+	if (auto rsx = g_fxo->try_get<rsx::thread>())
+	{
+		rsx->state += cpu_flag::dbg_global_pause;
+	}
+
 	GetCallbacks().on_pause();
 
+	BlockingCallFromMainThread([this]()
+	{
+		if (IsStopped())
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+
+		auto msg_ref = std::make_shared<atomic_t<u32>>(1);
+
+		// No timeout
+		rsx::overlays::queue_message(localized_string_id::EMULATION_PAUSED_RESUME_WITH_START, -1, msg_ref);
+		m_pause_msgs_refs.emplace_back(msg_ref);
+
+		auto refresh_l = [this, msg_ref]()
+		{
+			while (*msg_ref && IsPaused())
+			{
+				// Refresh Native UI
+				rsx::set_native_ui_flip();
+				thread_ctrl::wait_for(33'000);
+			}
+		};
+
+		struct thread_t
+		{
+			std::unique_ptr<named_thread<decltype(refresh_l)>> m_thread;
+		};
+
+		g_fxo->get<thread_t>().m_thread.reset();
+		g_fxo->get<thread_t>().m_thread = std::make_unique<named_thread<decltype(refresh_l)>>("Pause Message Thread"sv, std::move(refresh_l));
+	});
+
 	static atomic_t<u32> pause_mark = 0;
 
 	if (freeze_emulation)
@@ -2069,19 +2120,6 @@ bool Emulator::Pause(bool freeze_emulation)
 		sys_log.error("Emulator::Pause() error: concurrent access");
 	}
 
-	auto on_select = [](u32, cpu_thread& cpu)
-	{
-		cpu.state += cpu_flag::dbg_global_pause;
-	};
-
-	idm::select<named_thread<ppu_thread>>(on_select);
-	idm::select<named_thread<spu_thread>>(on_select);
-
-	if (auto rsx = g_fxo->try_get<rsx::thread>())
-	{
-		rsx->state += cpu_flag::dbg_global_pause;
-	}
-
 	// Always Enable display sleep, not only if it was prevented.
 	enable_display_sleep();
 
@@ -2167,6 +2205,17 @@ void Emulator::Resume()
 
 	sys_log.success("Emulation has been resumed!");
 
+	BlockingCallFromMainThread([this]()
+	{
+		for (auto& ref : m_pause_msgs_refs)
+		{
+			// Delete the message queued on pause
+			*ref = 0;
+		}
+
+		m_pause_msgs_refs.clear();
+	});
+
 	if (g_cfg.misc.prevent_display_sleep)
 	{
 		disable_display_sleep();
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/System.h b/rpcs3/Emu/System.h
index 4b7921e193..5ab1412dc1 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/System.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/System.h
@@ -144,6 +144,8 @@ class Emulator final
 
 	bool m_state_inspection_savestate = false;
 
+	std::vector<std::shared_ptr<atomic_t<u32>>> m_pause_msgs_refs;
+
 	std::vector<std::function<void()>> deferred_deserialization;
 
 	void ExecDeserializationRemnants()
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/localized_string_id.h b/rpcs3/Emu/localized_string_id.h
index 7bc2c33446..0e41713dc2 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/localized_string_id.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/localized_string_id.h
@@ -146,4 +146,7 @@ enum class localized_string_id
 	RPCN_ERROR_INVALID_PROTOCOL_VERSION,
 	RPCN_ERROR_UNKNOWN,
 	RPCN_SUCCESS_LOGGED_ON,
+
+	EMULATION_PAUSED_RESUME_WITH_START,
+	EMULATION_RESUMING,
 };
diff --git a/rpcs3/Emu/system_config.h b/rpcs3/Emu/system_config.h
index b3623872eb..7d64fc7bd3 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Emu/system_config.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Emu/system_config.h
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ struct cfg_root : cfg::node
 	{
 		node_savestate(cfg::node* _this) : cfg::node(_this, "Savestate") {}
 
-		cfg::_bool start_paused{ this, "Start Paused" }; // Pause on first frame
+		cfg::_bool start_paused{ this, "Start Paused 2", true }; // Pause on first frame
 		cfg::_bool suspend_emu{ this, "Suspend Emulation Savestate Mode", false }; // Close emulation when saving, delete save after loading
 		cfg::_bool state_inspection_mode{ this, "Inspection Mode Savestates" }; // Save memory stored in executable files, thus allowing to view state without any files (for debugging)
 		cfg::_bool save_disc_game_data{ this, "Save Disc Game Data", false };
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.cpp b/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.cpp
index e1b2f53eaf..b6ac42ab30 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.cpp
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.cpp
@@ -16,10 +16,12 @@
 #include "Emu/Io/pad_config.h"
 #include "Emu/System.h"
 #include "Emu/system_config.h"
+#include "Emu/RSX/Overlays/overlay_message.h"
 #include "Utilities/Thread.h"
 #include "util/atomic.hpp"
 
 LOG_CHANNEL(input_log, "Input");
+LOG_CHANNEL(sys_log, "SYS");
 
 extern bool is_input_allowed();
 
@@ -33,6 +35,11 @@ namespace pad
 	atomic_t<bool> g_enabled{true};
 }
 
+namespace rsx
+{
+	void set_native_ui_flip();
+}
+
 struct pad_setting
 {
 	u32 port_status = 0;
@@ -272,15 +279,22 @@ void pad_thread::operator()()
 			{
 				while (thread_ctrl::state() != thread_state::aborting)
 				{
-					if (!pad::g_enabled || Emu.IsPaused() || !is_input_allowed())
+					if (!pad::g_enabled || !is_input_allowed())
 					{
-						thread_ctrl::wait_for(10'000);
+						thread_ctrl::wait_for(30'000);
 						continue;
 					}
 
 					handler->process();
 
-					thread_ctrl::wait_for(g_cfg.io.pad_sleep);
+					u64 pad_sleep = g_cfg.io.pad_sleep;
+
+					if (Emu.IsPaused())
+					{
+						pad_sleep = std::max<u64>(pad_sleep, 30'000);
+					}
+
+					thread_ctrl::wait_for(pad_sleep);
 				}
 			}));
 		}
@@ -290,9 +304,11 @@ void pad_thread::operator()()
 
 	while (thread_ctrl::state() != thread_state::aborting)
 	{
-		if (!pad::g_enabled || Emu.IsPaused() || !is_input_allowed())
+		if (!pad::g_enabled || !is_input_allowed())
 		{
-			thread_ctrl::wait_for(10000);
+			m_resume_emulation_flag = false;
+			m_mask_start_press_to_unpause = 0;
+			thread_ctrl::wait_for(30'000);
 			continue;
 		}
 
@@ -353,7 +369,7 @@ void pad_thread::operator()()
 				if (!(pad->m_port_status & CELL_PAD_STATUS_CONNECTED))
 					continue;
 
-				for (auto& button : pad->m_buttons)
+				for (const auto& button : pad->m_buttons)
 				{
 					if (button.m_pressed && (
 						button.m_outKeyCode == CELL_PAD_CTRL_CROSS ||
@@ -375,7 +391,81 @@ void pad_thread::operator()()
 			}
 		}
 
-		thread_ctrl::wait_for(g_cfg.io.pad_sleep);
+		if (m_resume_emulation_flag)
+		{
+			m_resume_emulation_flag = false;
+
+			Emu.BlockingCallFromMainThread([]()
+			{
+				Emu.Resume();
+			});
+		}
+
+		u64 pad_sleep = g_cfg.io.pad_sleep;
+
+		if (Emu.IsPaused())
+		{
+			pad_sleep = std::max<u64>(pad_sleep, 30'000);
+
+			u64 timestamp = get_system_time();
+			u32 pressed_mask = 0;
+
+			for (usz i = 0; i < m_pads.size(); i++)
+			{
+				const auto& pad = m_pads[i];
+
+				if (!(pad->m_port_status & CELL_PAD_STATUS_CONNECTED))
+					continue;
+
+				for (const auto& button : pad->m_buttons)
+				{
+					if (button.m_offset == CELL_PAD_BTN_OFFSET_DIGITAL1 && button.m_outKeyCode == CELL_PAD_CTRL_START && button.m_pressed)
+					{
+						pressed_mask |= 1u << i;
+						break;
+					}
+				}
+			}
+
+			m_mask_start_press_to_unpause &= pressed_mask;
+
+			if (!pressed_mask || timestamp - m_track_start_press_begin_timestamp >= 1'000'000)
+			{
+				m_track_start_press_begin_timestamp = timestamp;
+
+				if (std::exchange(m_mask_start_press_to_unpause, u32{umax}))
+				{
+					m_mask_start_press_to_unpause = 0;
+					m_track_start_press_begin_timestamp = 0;
+
+					sys_log.success("Unpausing emulation using the START button in a few seconds...");
+					rsx::overlays::queue_message(localized_string_id::EMULATION_RESUMING, 2'000'000);
+
+					m_resume_emulation_flag = true;
+
+					for (u32 i = 0; i < 40; i++)
+					{
+						if (!Emu.IsPaused())
+						{
+							// Abort if emulation has been resumed by other means
+							m_resume_emulation_flag = false;
+							break;
+						}
+
+						thread_ctrl::wait_for(50'000);
+						rsx::set_native_ui_flip();
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// Reset unpause control if caught a state of unpaused emulation
+			m_mask_start_press_to_unpause = 0;
+			m_track_start_press_begin_timestamp = 0;
+		}
+
+		thread_ctrl::wait_for(pad_sleep);
 	}
 
 	stop_threads();
diff --git a/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.h b/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.h
index 4e822ea50e..35a3511c16 100644
--- a/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.h
+++ b/rpcs3/Input/pad_thread.h
@@ -52,6 +52,11 @@ protected:
 	std::array<std::shared_ptr<Pad>, CELL_PAD_MAX_PORT_NUM> m_pads;
 
 	u32 num_ldd_pad = 0;
+
+private:
+	u32 m_mask_start_press_to_unpause = 0;
+	u64 m_track_start_press_begin_timestamp = 0;
+	bool m_resume_emulation_flag = false;
 };
 
 namespace pad
diff --git a/rpcs3/rpcs3qt/localized_emu.h b/rpcs3/rpcs3qt/localized_emu.h
index f2fc286f71..e9f784d725 100644
--- a/rpcs3/rpcs3qt/localized_emu.h
+++ b/rpcs3/rpcs3qt/localized_emu.h
@@ -167,6 +167,8 @@ private:
 		case localized_string_id::RPCN_ERROR_INVALID_PROTOCOL_VERSION: return tr("RPCN Misc Error: Protocol Version Error (outdated RPCS3?)");
 		case localized_string_id::RPCN_ERROR_UNKNOWN: return tr("RPCN: Unknown Error");
 		case localized_string_id::RPCN_SUCCESS_LOGGED_ON: return tr("Successfully logged on RPCN!");
+		case localized_string_id::EMULATION_PAUSED_RESUME_WITH_START: return tr("Press and hold the START button to resume");
+		case localized_string_id::EMULATION_RESUMING: return tr("Resuming...!");
 		case localized_string_id::INVALID: return tr("Invalid");
 		default: return tr("Unknown");
 		}