When I found out 2012 was a Leap Year, I got really excited. Not because anything really special happens on February 29th (outside of the magical unicorn that shows up at my door and grants me three wishes), but I knew it meant I could post a special themed feature. I LOVE POSTING THEMED FEATURES!
Since today is Leap Day — and everyone knows Leap Day is Father Time’s favorite bonus day! — I thought it best to reach out to you and ask:What is your favorite videogame bonus stage?
Do you like the simple collect-a-thons like the down-the-pipe/up-the-vine levels in the originalSuper Mario Bros.or the revolving bumper-filled rooms ofSonic the Hedgehog? Or are you a fan of the skill-based challenges like Abu’s bonus stage inAladdin, the score multipliers inGalaga, or all the amazing barrel/banana extravaganzas from the earlyDonkey Kong Countrygames?
Me? My favorite will always bedestroying the carinStreet Fighter II. Nothing tops the satisfaction of destroying theBMWMercedeswhatever the hell kind of car it is with one of Chun-Li’s lightning kicks. Still makes me happy all these years later.
What is your favorite? Keep in mind that we are talkingbonus stages, not those extra, unlockable levels like the Star Road inSuper Mario Worldor Tricky Temple Too inRayman Origins.
Here is what the rest of the Destructoid staff picked fortheirfavorite videogame bonus stages:
Dale NorthThe bonus stage fromSpace Harrier.
Allistair PinsofWolfenstein3DinDoom II.
Darren NakamuraInEarthworm Jimthere were bonus stages where you rode on what was essentially a jet engine with handlebars in a race against an anthropomorphic crow in a space suit, avoiding asteroids.It was pretty rad.
Jonathan HolmesThe “beat the crap out of defenseless magic midgets” bonus stages inGolden Axe.The “kill the ninjas in first person mode” game inShinobi.The “pop the balloons” game inJumping Flash.
Jesse CortezI definitely loved thebonus stagesyou’d get withSonic & Knuckles… I loved running on that 3D surface collecting the blue balls while avoiding the red ones.
Patrick HancockDoes the end bonus stage fromPaperboycount? The crazy X-Games themed obstacle course that just happened to be at the end of a street? I always felt that it gave the paperboy a chance to really have fun and use his bicycle skills to finally get the respect he deserves! But if his boss found him goofing around he’d be in trouble and we wouldn’t want that.It was also a reminder to always have fun, even at work! When work throws angry grandmas and rabid dogs at you, always remember that if you just stick with it you’ll be rewarded with some kick-ass hoops and ramps! Life lessons, yo.
Sophie PrellThe weird, springy gumball power up vending machine fromSonic 3!
NieroCollecting 100 keys inSmash TV(and whatever the equivalent was inTotal Carnage).Basically, you get atreasure roomfull of bikini women, electronics, gift boxes, weapons, extra lives, and mountains cash. If I remember correctly they still troll you with land mines in those rooms.
Joseph LerayThe little shoot ‘em up at the end ofKatamari Damacy.
Matthew RazakThe road sign jumping game inSam & Max.
Casey BakerHonestly, the bonus stages inSonic 2have been my absolute favorite, mostly because they tie in with a strong childhood memory. My brothers (twin and older) and I would compete to get to the stage itself, and then compete to see who could get the most coins and the chaos emeralds.I loved playing those stages, because they made me imagine how cool 3D would be if games ever went into the 3rd dimension.
Max ScovilleI love that stupid thing in the arcade version ofArea 51where you shoot the first four S.T.A.R. guys and then you get to play as an alien.
Tara LongSonic has always had awesome bonus stages, but the one fromSonic & Knucklesis def my favorite.Also gotta echo Darren’s choice ofEarthworm Jim‘s Andy Asteroids levels.
Hamza AzizThe gambling minigame after you defeat enemies inSuper Mario RPG.
Ryan PerezGrate Guy’s Casino inSuper Mario RPG.
Jim SterlingThe little imp bastards inGolden Axe. Also, Apu smashing pots inAladdin.
Caitlin Cooke+1 to Sonic bonus levels, although my all time fav wasSonic 2— those “3D” race levels were the shit, and it was the first two-player bonus level that I remember being truly fantastic. I’m pretty sure I almost murdered a few people over those …
Josh TolentinoTheDiabloCow Level!
Becca RobertsThe bonus “gem” levels inCrash Bandicoot 3. The ones where the little platform you traveled off on was only visible if you managed to get to that part of the level without losing a life. They were always fun and quite challenging sometimes.
Wesley RuscherLoved the shuriken-chucking bonus stages at the end each level inShinobi.
Brett ZeidlerThe bonus stages in the originalCrash Bandicootcome to mind the fastest, not only because of how difficult they were, but because the only way you could save in that game was at the end of the bonus stages. So, finding them was extremely important if you ever wanted to step away from the game.Also, the “Test Your Might!” bonus stages in theMortal Kombatseries just because they’re so awesome.
Alasdair DuncanTotally agree with Patrick: the obstacle course at the end ofPaperboyis my favorite. Just reaching the end of the street was a thrill.
Maurice TanDoes the extra bonus campaign after the end ofWarcraft IIIcount? Shit was awesome, and then it becameWoW!
Sterling LyonsTheStar Fox-like flying segments inSkyblazer(the ones that only happen when you move to a new continent, not the side-scrolling ones).
Victoria MedinaThe bug-eating minigame inLion Kingon the Genesis. I played the hell out of that one when I was a kid.And seconded for Jim’s mention of the Abu pot-smashing minigame.
Jonathan RossI don’t know if this counts as a bonus stage per se, but the five finger filet minigame inFull Throttleis incredibly badass, if only because Ben is stabbing his own hand with a knife.
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Now it’s your turn: Let us knowyourfavorite videogame bonus stage.
Happy Leap Day, everyone! Get your moonlight elixir ready for the unicorn visit tonight!
