Games that don't let you continue at the final boss?

[Mac-Abre]

So, you play this game through... happily continuing until you get to the final boss. You get your rear handed to you, but think 'No problem, I'll continue' when to your horror...

GAME OVER!

What games have you played that don't allow you to continue at the final fight?

[pacmanhat]

Plenty of Mega Man's make you start from the last LEVEL, which seems fair...but I'd be more happy about that if the last level wasn't a crapload of bosses leading up to the last one. :(

[tony_good]

Last I played SFA3 on MAME, I made it to M. Bison and was not allowed to contine. :angry:

[NeoZeedeater]

The arcade version of Shinobi won't let you continue on the final level even if you have credits.

[Dr. Morbis]

Ninja Gaiden (NES) has to be the most famous example. It kicks you back to 6-1, which seems bad at the time. But it's actually a blessing in disguise. The first time you get to the final bosses was probably due to dumb luck on your 1000th attempt at 6-2. But always restarting on 6-1 after every boss defeat allows you to completely master the final world. If it weren't for this 'kick-back', I probably never would've been able to do a no death run of the original Ninja Gaiden.

[davidbrit2]

Ikari Warriors 2 for NES. GOD that always pissed me off.

[Snapple]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that for just about every 8-bit platformer, when you run out of lives, it's Game Over. No matter where you are in the game.

[Damon Plus]

NAM-1975 for Neo Geo. So frustrating...

[Quintracker]

I know there have been a couple shmups I've played on MAME where when you die on the last boss it sends you back to the beginning of the last stage instead of continuing at that very second. Usually when that happens it's impossible to finish, as you can never get enough powerups to actually make it through the last stage again.

[Gapporin]

On Scramble Spirits (SMS), once you reach a certain level, you are no longer allowed to use any continues.

[rbudrick]

Ikari Warriors 1 also. Actually, on the last screen of any level. Set it to 2 players just before that for a chance at a couple more lives. Works on IW2 and Nam 1975 also, if I remember correctly. Man, did Nam 75 piss me off when it did that.

-Rob

[Sylentwulf]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that for just about every 8-bit platformer, when you run out of lives, it's Game Over. No matter where you are in the game.

I think they're talking about games that normally let you continue anywhere as long as you have continues/credits left, EXCEPT for the boss battle.

[it290]

Double Dragon for SMS. You can't continue on the last level, although there is a cheat that lets you do so.

[Richter]

Aero Fighters 2 & 3 buts you back to the beginning of the last stage. No on the spot continuing on that stage

[AB Positive]

you cannot continue if Mike Tyson/Mr. Dream beats you in Punch Out. Normally you can continue and drop a couple ranks, but it's auto game over at Tyson even if you haven't lost yet.

-AG

[Cirrus]

you cannot continue if Mike Tyson/Mr. Dream beats you in Punch Out. Normally you can continue and drop a couple ranks, but it's auto game over at Tyson even if you haven't lost yet.

-AG

What about 0073735963? That's the code to Tyson, sort of a continue...

I've remembered that code since I was a kid.

[GarrettCRW]

you cannot continue if Mike Tyson/Mr. Dream beats you in Punch Out. Normally you can continue and drop a couple ranks, but it's auto game over at Tyson even if you haven't lost yet.

-AG

You do get a password, though, after beating Super Macho Man, which is still valid (though I think you have to beat his vainness again).

[jajaja]

Ninja Gaiden (NES) has to be the most famous example. It kicks you back to 6-1, which seems bad at the time. But it's actually a blessing in disguise. The first time you get to the final bosses was probably due to dumb luck on your 1000th attempt at 6-2. But always restarting on 6-1 after every boss defeat allows you to completely master the final world. If it weren't for this 'kick-back', I probably never would've been able to do a no death run of the original Ninja Gaiden.

Hehe i remember this. I played Ninja Gaiden some months ago and I got the the last boss. When I finaly thought I've beaten him, he come back. Then I died and had to start all over at 6-1. Played for a while, but at the end it was so boring to play all the way to the last boss so I just turned off the NES lol :)

[DTJAAAAMJSLM]

I think I read that you couldn't continue at the end of Eternal Champions.

[rbudrick]

At least in Ninja Gaiden if you beat one or two of the last 3 bosses, they will still be dead if you make it back...


What about 0073735963? That's the code to Tyson, sort of a continue...

I've remembered that code since I was a kid.

Same here, man! I can still hum the sounds it makes as you put them in. I can go without touching that game for ten years and still come back and input that password blindfolded in 2 or 3 seconds flat just by the sound and finger memorization...no counting necessary...sort of like playing an old guitar or piano tune...your hands just remember.

-Rob

[Sotenga]

Time Soldiers does not let you continue at the last stage or boss. Thankfully, it's short, but really painful. Also thankfully, if you survive the stage, you find out that the final boss has an easily distinguishable pattern. I still had to play through that game many times to finally beat it.


I think I read that you couldn't continue at the end of Eternal Champions.

True. If the EC kicks your ass, it's game over, game over man. That finale is UNFAIR. :angry:

And one more example: The Amazing Spiderman vs. the Kingpin on the Genesis. I was superpissed when that fat bastard cleaned my clock and I had to start the game at the beginning. On top of that, you can't let Mary Jane fall into the... I guess it's acid... that vat of nasty stuff. You have to keep shooting web on the ropes that hold her so she stays above the vat. Managing this while attempting to clobber the Kingpin (who is no slouch) is TOUGH. I eventually got it, but I had to replay the game about four times over. Ack.

[Wavelflack]

Arcade Rastan won't let you continue on the last round. I've discussed this before, but I only found out about this "feature" after I had put about $10 worth of credits in the machine. I'm sure I had $7- $8 worth of credits in reserve when, after dying in the middle of stage 6, I was shown the "game over" screen WITHOUT a continue option. I damned near exploded from frustration and unbelievable anger. There was no way to get my money back out of the machine, and I had no interest in playing through the whole thing again, so I just lost all of that money (all of the kids staying in the hotel were undoubtedly pleased with the free credits).

I was on vacation with my parents at the time, and actually called 800 directory assistance from a pay phone at the hotel, got Taito's 800 number (this was 1987), called and proceeded to bitch out the secretary/receptionist/phone lady. She apologized for my experience, and asked for my name and address so she could send something out to me. I felt a little better, and spent the rest of the vacation wondering what Taito was going to send me as a consolation package.

It turned out to be some brochures and a subscription to Taito's newsletter. Yay.

[buttasuperb]

SFA3