Your favorite stages of ANY game?

[Damon Plus]

I think it would be interesting to see which are people´s favorite stages on any game, those so good they should be remembered forever.

I´ll start:

1- Aquatic Ruin (Sonic 2)- I think this is one of the most awesome stages ever created for a game. The music fits perfectly with it, and I love the scenary, with the crumbling columns and the fact you can choose between going through the upper part or going through the water at the bottom.

2- Underground mine (Gunstar Heroes)- Reversible cart, lots of enemies that explode and dissappear flying when you shoot them, SEVEN FORCE. Need I to explain it more?

3- Train stage (2-1 on Ninja Gaiden 2)- Ninjas kick ass, and this stage represents very well that. Running through a moving train while slashing enemies? Awesome...

4-Corneria (Starfox)- Who can forget the first time flying through Corneria, with that soundtrack and shooting down enemies while doing crazy manuevers to help your friends?

5- Giant world (Super Mario Bros 3)- Not really a stage, but a whole world, and a favorite of most people who has played this game. How surprised were you when you saw those giant koopas and Goombas? BTW, any stage of this game could be a good candidate to be on this spot, and that´s what made this game so legendary.

[ScottK]

Metal Man's stage for Mega Man 2 is my all time favorite.

[klausien]

Giant world (Super Mario Bros 3)- Not really a stage, but a whole world, and a favorite of most people who has played this game. How surprised were you when you saw those giant koopas and Goombas? BTW, any stage of this game could be a good candidate to be on this spot, and that´s what made this game so legendary.

Indeed. Still love to play that one.

Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order):

The original Ridge Racer track (sans extra section)
Eat Fuzzy, Get Dizzy from Yoshi's Island
Level 5 of Rez
The first stages of both Castlevania & Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
Aeropolis: Multiplex from F-Zero GX
Level 1: The Journey Begins & Level 12: The Crystal Palace of Astal
Episode 2: Altered Genos in Panzer Dragoon Orta
The entire beginning canyon section in Panzer Dragoon Saga
The Forest Track from Sega Rally

[MegaDrive20XX]

1. Sonic 3 & Knuckles -- Ice Cap Zone and Lava Reef Zone
2. CastleVania 3: Dracula's Curse -- The Clock Tower
3. Mortal Kombat 2--- The Living Forest
4. SMB3--- Giant World I do agree with you, that was so awesome
5. Super Mario World ---- The Special Zone
6. Super Mario 64- Dire Dire Docks <--- love that stage
7. Super CastleVania 4---- Stage 6-2...the dance hall & Stage 9-1 The Treasure Room
8. Sonic Advenutre 2 ---- Escape from the City
9. Final Fantasy 6- The Phantom Train...awesome...
10. Resident Evil (GameCube)...the Neptune's Lair in the basement....
11. Resident Evil 2....the Intro where Claire is in the restaurant
12. Silent Hill 2...the whisperer in Room 209..in the blue creek apartment building....still bugs me out...

[PDorr3]

Klonoa: Door to phantomile-
I played a demo of the first level, it was so cute and original it got me hooked on the series ever since.

Beyond good and evil-
While there are not really any levels, the first fight in the game is one of my most memorable gaming moments. The song during the battle kicked ass! got me all pumped up :)

Twisted metal black-
I will never forget the first time I played this game, it was one of the few games that made me say outloud to my friend "this game is fucking awsome"

Rygar: legenday adventure-
the first boss fight was very memorable, a huge ass greek statue.

Panzer dragoon-
the first levle has a killer song, and the level design was just great...very memorable

Zelda:OoT-
I always will love the kiokori forest, the music is great too

Super mario 64-
the first stage is great

Mario kart 64-
rainbow road will never be forgotten, easily the best version of that track, and the song was catchy

Golden axe II-
The final boss fight is phenominal, I simply love the boss music, and boss fights in golden axe games totaly rock

Altered beast-
Welcome to your doom! the first levle will always be one of my favorite gaming moments

final fantasy 7-
the golden saucer will always stand out as one of my favorite parts of that game, also the mansion is one of my favorite areas, especialy in the basement, really creepy!

final fantasy 9-
elexandria is one of the best areas ever in an rpg, so midevil!

I will stop here for now...too many games to list!

[Crush Crawfish]

Ok, I'd just like to warn everyone that this is gonna one hell of a long post, and there may be some spoilers. Here I go!

Megaman & Bass- the robot museum, mainly for the music, and I got to play as Bass for the 1st time.

Robopon 2- Macroland- The entire place is one giant Microsoft/Bill Gates parody. How could you not love it?

Chrono Cross- The Dead sea- I'm stil in shock from seeing the ghosts of a few certan characters here.

Disgaea- the level where you fight Maderas, mainly due to the kick-ass song playing in the background, it suits the battle quite well.

Gitaroo-man- the sambone trio's level, because it must have taken me at least 30 tries to beat.

Katamari Damacy- Make the Moon- Man, ripping entire cities out of the ground is unforgettable.

Sonic Adventure- emerald coast- I'll never forget the part where sonic is running from that killer whale. It blew me away on 9/9/99, and it still does today.

Sonic 2- Oil Ocean- Just an amazing level, with excellent design & eerie music. Plus, I distinctly remember that the 1st time I got to this level, I was home sick with pinkeye! LOL

Megaman 2- Quickman's stage- I STILL wake up some nights, screaming in terror from those freakin' orange beams.

Megaman 2- Dr. Wily's Castle- Amazing, amazing level. The background music is phenomenal, and oh boy, when that giant-ass dragon starts chasing you down...

Megaman 3- Sparkman's stage- mainly because I could almost never beat it as a kid, and now it's really easy.

Megaman 5- Gravityman's stage- I was so amazed the first time Megaman started walking on the ceiling. It seriously blew me away.

Megaman 5- protoman's castle- Man, the music in the stage is amazing!

Monster party- 2nd half of stage 1- In short, EVERYTHING GOES TO HELL!!!

Chrono Trigger- Black Omen, Tyrano Lair, Magus' Castle- The three most unforgetable places in the most unforgetable game of all time.

Earthbound- corridor before the final boss- so spooky and intimidating..It really pumps you up for the final battle.

earthbound- Saturn valley- Who could forget the Mr. Saturns and their crazy language font?

Megaman X- Intro stage- Man, the music...fighting those giant bees...getting destroyed by vile, and being saved by Zero....simply amazing.

Megaman X3- Crush Crawfish's stage-- Awesome stage w/ awesome music, and the greatest boss character of all time. :D

That's all, I'll be quiet now! LOL [/b]

[Queen Of The Felines]

Katamari - Make the Moon as well, for the reasons above.

Resident Evil 4 - The mine cart stage.

Wario Ware - 9-volt's "retro" section

Silent Hill 4 - First time through the hospital. Jeez, I was creeped out for days.

Final Fantasy 8 - Not exactly a stage, but I spent more time playing the card game than playing the "real" game.

Kristine

[WanganRunner]

Sonic 2 - Oil Ocean Zone

Super Mario Bros. - World 1, Level 2. The music that never really left my brain.

Super Mario 64 - Jolly Roger's Bay. Yet again, sweet ambience, awesome music.

FFVIII - Esthar. I know it's not a "stage" per se, but it just totally changes the aesthetic of the game, and it happens all of a sudden. It's really cool when you get there and you're just like "whoa", and you walk around for awhile looking at stuff.

[Jibbajaba]

I think it's called the "Starlight Zone" in the Original Sonic the Hedgehog for Genny. It's the one with all the pinball elements. Cool music.

Add another vote for me on the Katamari Moon level.

The first and second levels of streets of rage 2.

The first level of Golden Axe.

Final Fantasy VII: The first 8 or so hours of the game where you are stuck in Midgar are cool. I also like the whole Wutai area (awsome music) and the Gold Saucer.

The second stage of Altered Beast

That's all I can think of right now. I don't have my games in front of me. If I did, this list could probably go on for a few pages.

Chris

[Sotenga]

You've all mentioned some great ones here. If any of my following faves are shared with anyone who posted, I'm merely agreeing with you. ^_^

Alrighty, so what we got here? Let me start with an obscure one.

Sasuke's fortress, Ganbare Goemon 4: The whole staged is themed around martial arts, kendo, and boxing! We have to deal with karate punching robots in the background, boxing gloves attempting to pound the life out of you, platforms that double as karate boards that you have to cross before a giant karate chopping hand smashes them all, a five-round endurance match against boxing robots, and the final scene has two types of robots. One type is your standard shotokan-type character which utilizes moves that rip off the Shoryuken, the Power Wave, and the Power Geyser, but the other robot is so awesome, simply because IT'S A BLATANT GUILE PARODY! GUILE ROBOT! GUILE ROBOT IN A KONAMI GAME!!! He has no legs, but the green muscle shirt and the hairstyle are obvious potshots at Guile, and these stationary robos utilize constant Sonic Booms to keep you at bay. I love how Konami has the balls to poke at one of their greatest competitors. The entire stage ends with a pretty damn awesome Track and Field-esque minigame that you have to complete to beat the boss. All other fortress stages in Ganbare Goemon 4 are equally as awesome, but Sasuke's is my favorite for its martial arts theme... and, I do consider myself quite the fighting geek.

Sorry, I kinda got a little detailed on that one. I'll just briefly mention a few others.

Stage 4, Super Castlevania 4: Truly one of the best early uses of Mode 7. The music's damned awesome too!

Stage 4, Contra III: Just when you think it can't get any more intense, up comes the boss fight with the battleship core... WHILE RIDING MISSLES.

Stage 6, Revenge of Shinobi: Three awesome things: Chinatown, subway train fight, and a double whammy ripoff for bosses: Spiderman AND Batman!

Green's stage, Gunstar Heroes: The high-octane action of this stage is barely paralleled by any other game... but what sells it is the climax against Seven Force. Beware if you are on Hard mode, you'll have to take out all seven forms!

Stage 2, Metal Slug 3: ZOMBIEFEST!!!!!

Stage 4, Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts: Another great demonstration of early Mode 7. It's a little gross, though... awesome!

Stage 3, Strider: The Flying Battleship Balrog. The anti-gravity sells it.

Stage 4, Strider 2: The Flying Battleship Balrog... Redux! Not only does it look more awesome, but the final battle there against Admiral Wilhelm on the escape ship is just... whoa.

Stage 3, Axelay: The groovy music and impressive visuals on this one still impress me, not to mention the kickass boss at the end!

Stage 6, Gradius V: This stage is NUTS!!! I almost always piss my pants when I have to deal with the ridiculous amounts of green sludge falling my way, but it's just so freaking great!

Stage 5A, Dracula X: Rondo of Blood: The Ghost Ship. Not only is the music unspeakably great, but the atmosphere is... well, also unspeakably great. The battle against the Grim Reaper atop the ship's mast is one of the most memorable Grimmy battles I know.

I could name more... maybe I will later. That'll take a while. :D

[notoriusvig]

Mega Man 3-Snake Man:I'd probably remember every stage from MM3 cause I played it so much as a kid but for some reason Snake Man's stage sticks out in my mind. I always remember the mini and giant snake heads that would shoot bullets at you and the screen that gave you the option of going up one of two ladders. Somehow I always used to pick the wrong right ladder which lead to a couple measly power-ups

Mega Man 2-Flash Man:As a kid this was the only MM stage I could ever get past, so naturally it was always the first chosen and most played

1st stage-NES Gradius and Life Force:Both just had an aura about them and I love them

Super Mario Kart-Rainbow Road:My cousin and I discovered this level in like 1994 or so. We were tripped out by it's no wall philosophy. We kept on cracking up as either of us would fall off

Super Mario 64-When Toys R Us first started displaying N64s and I got my first taste of Mario 64, I was in awe. Now, I despise 3D platformers, go figure!

Super Mario Bros.-1-1:I spent so much time on this level as a kid. I would go into the pipe and have so much fun in that one little coin room, trying to jump as high as possible, etc. and then trying to jump over the end pole. That was any level, I guess.

[boatofcar]

Mario Kart 64- Rainbow Road...wow.

Chrono Trigger- The hovercar race part. I think it was the first memorable mini game in an RPG.

Final Fantasy III- The Opera Scene. How has no one mentioned this? This is my favorite part of the game.

The Addams Family (SNES) - The whole freezer stage. Great underrated game.

[Bluteg]

Turtles IV - The surfing levels

Goldeneye 007 - The Facility
Back when it was new, I must have played this more than all the other levels combined. Also I made sure I shot out every light and everything.

Earthbound - All of the towns
I loved exploring every inch of the towns.

Mario Kart 64 - Yoshi's Valley

[-hellvin-]

Marble Zone - Sonic 1
Opening Stage - Castlevania III
Desert World - Super Mario Bros 3
What the heck? - Earthworm Jim

The next two are both for Rondo Of Blood which has some amazing levels and music.

Level 1 - I like how it's the village from Castlevania II burning to the ground, sweet.

Level 6 - Awesome level! You must fight all the bosses from Castlevania I before fighting Shaft with the Castlevania I boss music playing! Very sweet.

[youruglyclone]

can't think of anything else so I'll add on other stages later

moon stage - katamari damacy
Taxi SF Level - Driver (you just drive like a retard to scare the crap out of passenger, about 2 minute time limit)

[Dj Glitch]

Forest Temple- Zelda OoT
Stage one- Streets of Rage 2
Guest Room- Resident Evil 2
The Home Run of Death- Illbleed
All of them- Ultimate Qix
The Moon- Majora's Mask
The Pit II- Mortal Kombat II
Eddy's Stage- Tekken TAG Tournament
Zoness- Star Fox 64........I can go on

[Richter Belmount]

ff6 - the ghost train dungeon
dracula x - stage 5 alternate
ys 1 and 2 - subterrean canals (best theme i heard in a rpg)
ys3- final stage
metal slug 2- stage 3
mischief makers - any part of that game
ggx2-slayers stage
ff5-water dungeon
earthbound-onett town
blazing lazers - stage 2
sonic 3 - chrome gadget zone
metal gear 2 - snake and grayfoxs final battle
conrta 3 - stage 3
mgs3 - final part against boss
castlevania bloodlines - stage 2
castlevania sotn -Olrox's Quarters

[Jorpho]

I rather preferred Fourside in Earthbound (if I had to choose a specific part).

Ah, yes, the train levels in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3. Some combination of the music and the sensation of movement is just exceptionally well-done. Actually, a lot of the levels towards the end of Wario Land were clever and atmospheric - a nice change, considering a lot of games run out of steam towards the end.

It was most upsetting to find no train levels after Wario Land 2. The Mario Party-style level in Wario Land 4 was pretty clever, but I'd rather have more trains.

[shoes23]

Double Dragon (arcade version)- when you climb up the cliff and fight the big green dude with the boulder.

Metal Gear Solid- the torture sceen

Max Payne- hallucinations in the dream world

Galaga- any of the challenging stages

[GobopopRevisited]

The Dead Sea in Chrono Cross
Stone Tower Temple in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Spirit Temple in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Wet / Dry World in Super Mario 64
The Monkey Stages in Yoshi's Island
Smithy's Factory in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
The Temple Area in Donkey Kong Country
Phendrana Drifts (Spelling??... errr the Ice "Level") in Metroid Prime

[atomicthumbs]

Level 1 in Tomb Raider II. Whole thing is one HUGE deathtrap! I love it!!!

Also, the training level in Tenchu. I never get sick of it. Just love being sneaky!!!

[Jasoco]

Off the top of my head, the original SMB. World 5. When the level began and everything's white and grey. It was amazing. An ice level! Though, it wasn't slippery at the time. I think they made it slippery in the All-Stars compilation. I loved it. I was new to video games at the time so obviously, seeing an ice level, underground levels, outside levels, elevated playform levels even night levels and castles and water levels. But the ice one really sticks out for sme reason.

In Serious Sam, there's a level that's so twisted, walking on the ceiling, up the walls, everything defies gravity. I forget its name, but it's one of the later ones and it amazed me and really made me love the game when I made it there the first time. (Second place would be the last level before going into the courtyard when you have to take on hundreds of enemies at once all coming at you from every direction spread out on a huge neverending plain.)

Banjo Kazooie, Tick Tock Wood. Four identical levels with four different seasons all connected to eachother. I loved it. It was my favorite level in that game. Ah, to dream of a modern day update in the style of Conker.

On the same note, the clock level in Mario 64 is also a stand out. Interoducing me to the concept of time manipulation in a game. These two are similar, but done completely differently. Together they are two of the greatest N64 levels ever made.


Phendrana Drifts (Spelling??... errr the Ice "Level") in Metroid PrimeI'm there right now. Ice level again. ;)

[Dimitri]

Katamari Damacy - Make The Moon (I still go back and play this from time to time.)

Metroid Prime - Phendrana Drifts (Incredible area visually, especially the first open area you walk into...)

Metal Gear Solid 2 - Tanker Holds (So much great fun to be had with the Marines. :))

Ganada - Stage 2 (Only game I've ever seen where you get to drive around on top of a giant airplane and shoot the engines off!)

Sonic & Knuckles - Sky Sanctuary Zone (My pick for most amazing Sonic level...great designs and one of the best songs from any Sonic game.)

Metroid Prime - Pirate Research Complex (This place, and the Phazon Mines, creeped the hell out of me the first time I played the game...really a game to play in the dark on a big TV with big sound.)

Knuckles' Chaotix - Special Stage (For whatever reason, the Sonic 1-3 special stages didn't really do much for me -- this one, however, made me replay the game over and over, largely just to play these stages more.)

Sonic CD - Stardust Speedway (No comment...)

Rocket Knight Adventures - Stage 2 (The whole water-filled canyon area is my favorite part of this incredible game...the mine cart ride at the end was the icing on the cake, then comes the boss while you're still riding the mine cart!)

PaRappa The Rapper - Full Tank (Impromptu rap competition to decide who gets to use the restroom. Bonus points for when you get a Cool.)

Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Forest Temple (Just freaking trippy...)

...that's all I've got for now. Damn, now I want to go back and play some of these games again...

[Damon Plus]

Wow. Oil Ocean zone is the only one I hated from Sonic 2, and there´s at least two people that have mentioned it.

I agree with the Metal Slug 3 Zombie stage. The music and the graphics are great!

[Cauterize]

Chemical Plant - Sonic 2

Pure genius, it had all the fast parts about Sonic, plus parts which needed skill!

[tony_good]

I loved the bank heist from Vice City.

The Dark Queen's tower in Battletoads. So tough, yet so rewarding to beat.

Super Ghouls 'N Ghost's stage with the water rising. Awesome.

Kung-Fu Master stage 2.

One of the Capcom vs. games (I think Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter) had a badass mall stage with some Final Fight characters and a giant Mega Man in the background.

[Jorpho]

One of the Capcom vs. games (I think Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter) had a badass mall stage with some Final Fight characters and a giant Mega Man in the background.

No, I think that was X-Men vs Street Fighter.

I also really liked Wacky Workbench from Sonic CD. Very clever, that springy floor.

[Xexyz]

Mr. Black's dice palace from Gunstar Heroes is one of my most favorite stages in video game history.

I also like Pac-mans monotonous maze, it always brings back the Pac-man fever!

Basically every level in Giant World from SMB3 I loved. Something about stomping oversized Koopas and Gombas gave me a warm feeling inside. The big bricks/pipes/clouds were cool too.

[Kroogah]

One of the Capcom vs. games (I think Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter) had a badass mall stage with some Final Fight characters and a giant Mega Man in the background.

No, I think that was X-Men vs Street Fighter.

X-Men vs. had the plain mall background, MSH vs. added Final Fight characters and the 10th anniversary Mega Man. Nice stage.

For fighting game stages I'd say most of the Tekken 5 stages, the VF4 stage with the water, and the Last Blade 2 stage in a burning building.

Stage 1-2 of Alien Hominid is a blast.

I LOVE the final level of Manhunt.

Mojo King Bee from Gitaroo Man, Um Jammer Lammy's firefighting level, Parappa 2's video game level.

The school in Silent Hill 1.

Snot a Problem in Earthworm Jim.

[Damon Plus]

I forgot it, but the first stage on Super Mario Bros should be here.