Favorite Count Down/Timed Moments In Gaming

[The 1 2 P]

Recently Gamepro did an article on this topic. But we're talking about Gamepro, so it obviously sucked. Thats why I decided to make my own. So what are your top five gaming moments that involved some sort of count down timer? I'll start with my top five counting down(pun intended)from five to one.

5.) Syphon Filter(PS1)--Washington Park level: You get 20 minutes in the beginning of this mission to locate and disarm four bombs. The time amount you get is pretty sufficient, but you have to take in consideration that you need to first locate the bombs. Adding to the intensity is the fact that there are literally terrorist everywhere in the park trying to kill you. I enjoyed this level very much and it embodies the spirit of the Syphon Filter series(not counting the first PS2 entry) extremely well.

4.) Max Payne(Xbox)--Put Out My Flames With Gasoline level: This will be the only game I use that doesn't have a visible onscreen counter. For the first part of this level you have to escape a burning building. You run from room to room because you only have a few seconds in each before it is completely covered in flames. And if you stop or go the wrong way you'll die. It's a good thing you have bullet time, which also makes for one of the coolest effects(slow-mo raging fire and explosions) in gaming history.

3.) Spider-Man(Genesis)--Last level: Ok, this was just bullshit. You had to diffuse a bomb(I forget how much time you had) and defeat four of your earlier end bosses while trying to diffuse said bomb. Then, when you get to the Kingpin(the real final boss) you have to beat him in like a minute(the second timed part of this level) or your wife gets lowered in a boiling pot of instant death. I hated this level with a passion. But when in doubt, use cheat codes.

2.) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(Nes)--Dam level: You get 2:20 to diffuse eight bombs. This level is extremely hard for people playing it for the first time, but once you get the hang of it you're ok. The two keys are to keep moving and to go in the right direction. As if the timer weren't bad enough, you have to compete against savage seaweed and underwater electrical currents as well. Many a turtle has died on that level(which is a sign of things to come because the game would get much harder later on) but it's still a very memorable moment in gaming stress.

1.) Halo(Xbox)--The Maw Warhog Escape level: You have 6 minutes(5 minutes on legendary mode) to get the hell out of the Pillar of Autumn ship before it goes boom. This scene plays like a hollywood blockbuster movie chase scene with enemies and explosions all around as you try to do your best Gone in 60 Seconds impression. Never have I had so much fun trying to outrun a timer before. My only regret was that I didn't have time to enjoy all the scenery. But this level was monumental to the overall gaming experience and thats why it's my top pick for favorite count downs/timed moments in gaming.

Honorable Mention:
Bloodrayne(Xbox)--Of Wulfs and Demens level: You have to beat the Flash(Wulf) and the devil(Beliar) before the devil grows 11 times. If he does it's instant game over.

Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask(N64)--Entire game: I never finished this game but I know you have 72 hours(game time) to complete it or you go bye bye.

[StakeRaiser]

Nothing beats having to run like hell to get off an exploding planet in the Metroid games

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

i hate timers.

i hope they all die in a fire.

i prefer scripted events that give the illusion of time running out, but without those controller-throwing 'oh, you made it to the end boss, but you only have 3 seconds to beat him' moments.

[Gameguy]

All the levels in the early Sonic and Mario games had timers, those I could live with. Most other situations with timers I don't like.

[eugenek]

I have to second the Pillar of Autumn. I've hated every single timed sequence except for that one. I still don't know how Bungie could be capable of making such exhilarating sequences and yet still think that the Library level was a good idea.

[Gunface]

I also loathe countdowns. Especially the ones that are in RPG's and you have to wait for the battle animations and text to play out but the timer keeps going!

Just last night actually I was playing Rainbow Six Vegas 2 with some friends and we had cleared out all but 2 of the terrorists in terrorist hunt mode. We forgot to turn off the timer and it ran out seconds before I was going to kill them both.

I'll agree they are ok when it's a frantic moment at the end of the game though, like Metroid and Halo. On that note, my favorite is the end of Flashback: the Quest For Identity when you plant the bomb in the planet's core.

[11killer11]

I don't know why but i hate them. I don't like them in any situations because you don't have time to do or look at or experiment with anything.

[studvicious]

I have to second the Pillar of Autumn. I've hated every single timed sequence except for that one. I still don't know how Bungie could be capable of making such exhilarating sequences and yet still think that the Library level was a good idea.

The Library was one of my favorite sections! :) I will also agree that the PoA escape was pretty sweet.

[Ze_ro]

Alien vs. Predator on Jaguar. At the end of the game, you had to activate the space stations self destruct sequence, and then get to the escape pod in time. It didn't give you a lot of time, and there was quite a ways to go... You had to plan out your route ahead of time, and even then, it was pretty close, so if you got ambushed by some aliens on the way, you'd be sweating it out hoping you could still make it there in time before the station blew. The station's voice would count down the time remaining, and if I remember correctly, there were alarms along the way which made things pretty hectic in an already atmospheric game. It took me a good bit of time to work it out, and I really felt like I accomplished something when I beat the game.

--Zero

[Cobra Commander]

2.) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(Nes)--Dam level: You get 2:20 to diffuse eight bombs. This level is extremely hard for people playing it for the first time, but once you get the hang of it you're ok. The two keys are to keep moving and to go in the right direction. As if the timer weren't bad enough, you have to compete against savage seaweed and underwater electrical currents as well. Many a turtle has died on that level(which is a sign of things to come because the game would get much harder later on) but it's still a very memorable moment in gaming stress.
For the record, FUCK that level. Right in the ass.
I hate timed levels, but that one....that one takes the cake. That dam (ha!) level pisses me off 20 years later.

[DragonMaster Sam]

I think the escape from Zebes in Super Metroid is a favorite of mine. Blasting through space pirates with the Hyper Beam just to watch the planet go Ka-boom.

And as for the dam level, I used to hate that level when I was a kid. In fact, I would completely dread that every time I played. But after awhile, I managed to beat it with no problem.

[scooterb23]

The underwater maze level in Earthworm Jim was one of the more tense levels I have played in a long time. You had what? 60 seconds to traverse it? I believe it was easier on the Genesis than the SNES IIRC.

[FantasiaWHT]

The fight in Final Fantasy II(US) in the final dungeon with that big floating eye that casts doom on your whole party right at the start. Loved that fight!

I think it was in Final Fantasy V, a town was on fire and about to explode, and you only had so long to get out. It was very easy to make it out in the right amount of time, but there were lots of treasures hidden around that you could find.

[Sudo]

I really dislike timers in games. I play games to enjoy myself and go at my own pace, not to be forced to rush through things and make mistakes. That was a big part of my problem with Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts.

[Draven]

Another vote for Metroid!

[The 1 2 P]

For the record, FUCK that level. Right in the ass.
I hate timed levels, but that one....that one takes the cake. That dam (ha!) level pisses me off 20 years later.

As tough as that level was, it has NOTHING on the last level of Spider-Man. A timed bomb to diffuse while fighting 4 end bosses and then the FINAL end boss in a timed battle? That was fucking insane.

[pseudonym]

The dam level in TMNT, I hate that level with a passion to this day.

[Ruudos]

I never had big problems with that dam level. Altough it's probably one my greatest video game achievements to finish that level without taking a single hit.

[bangtango]

Maniac Mansion (NES):

If you decided to raid Weird Ed's room while he was at the front door checking for his package, I remember you didn't have a whole lot of time to fool around in his room before he came back up and tossed you in the dungeon.

[Matt-El]

Superman 64:

Any Ring flying level. Screw up and you're screwed.

[CosmicMonkey]

What about Vs. fighting games: Do people prefer timed rounds, or do you turn the timer off if there's the option?

I usually leave it as it is.

[stargate]

Pitfall!

[bangtango]

Screw up and you're screwed.

Those are words to live by, if I've ever heard any.

[Damaramu]

Guess my favorite is Alien Syndrome, where every level is a count down/timed one!

"The time bomb is set"

[Sudo]

What about Vs. fighting games: Do people prefer timed rounds, or do you turn the timer off if there's the option?

I usually leave it as it is.

I always turn it off.

[The 1 2 P]

What about Vs. fighting games: Do people prefer timed rounds, or do you turn the timer off if there's the option?

I usually beat my opponent's ass long before time runs out. Back in the arcades(when we still had arcades here in Maryland) there was only about 5 times(out of hundreds of fighting game rounds) where the timer expired on me. And it was always when I was up against a real human opponent.

[InsaneDavid]

Air Fortress on the NES has to be my all time favorite. After you get to the center of each Air Fortress and destroy the power reactor, the whole thing goes dark with the exception of some emergency lighting. Then you have to find the emergency exit. There's no timer but slowly the entire fortress begins to shake and rattle, progressively becoming more violent as it begins to fall apart. The feeling of urgency is incredible as you frantically navigate through the huge fortress, searching for the exit. Eventually the entire screen starts to flash as the fortress begins to go critical. If you don't make it out in time there's a bright flash of white and it's game over. There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting out RIGHT before the whole thing explodes - only to head off to an even bigger and more challenging fortress. A terribly underrated and mostly forgotten game.

[PutUrQuarterUp]

Mr. Mosquito (PS2): Stage 4 - The Bathroom.. not exactly stress inducing but memorable nonetheless..

[FantasiaWHT]

Every level (almost) of Katamari Damacy!

[bangtango]

Air Fortress on the NES has to be my all time favorite. After you get to the center of each Air Fortress and destroy the power reactor, the whole thing goes dark with the exception of some emergency lighting. Then you have to find the emergency exit. There's no timer but slowly the entire fortress begins to shake and rattle, progressively becoming more violent as it begins to fall apart. The feeling of urgency is incredible as you frantically navigate through the huge fortress, searching for the exit. Eventually the entire screen starts to flash as the fortress begins to go critical. If you don't make it out in time there's a bright flash of white and it's game over. There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting out RIGHT before the whole thing explodes - only to head off to an even bigger and more challenging fortress. A terribly underrated and mostly forgotten game.

I second this opinion. This game is one of like four or five others that were on the tip of my tongue when I composed my original reply (with Maniac Mansion) but I just couldn't remember it. Mostly forgotten? I'll say.

Even though it is supposedly very common (R1), Air Fortress is one of those games I wish I would stumble across in a thrift store but I never do.