History Main / CatastrophicCountdown

** ''VideoGame/Metroid1'' is a bit of an interesting case. While the UsefulNotes/{{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES original completely averts the trope after defeating Mother Brain, the UsefulNotes/{{GBA}} remake ''VideoGame/MetroidZeroMission'' barely offers an appropriate retcon for playing it straight in the same place. However, ''Zero Mission'' does avert the trope later on in the Space Pirate mothership.

* In the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis video game ''VideoGame/XMen2CloneWars'', destroying the Sentinel factory's Core activates the self-destruct function of the entire Sentinel factory... and hundreds of smaller, random explosions prior to the one that actually destroys the factory.

* In the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis video game ''VideoGame/XMenCloneWars'', destroying the Sentinel activates the self-destruct function of the entire Sentinel factory... and hundreds of smaller, random explosions prior to the one that actually destroys the factory.

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** ''VideoGame/Halo3'' has a variant of this. After starting up the [[DepopulationBomb Halo ring]], it needs several minutes to charge and literally shakes itself apart. The last section of the game is a mad dash to find a way off. While there's no explicit timer, the structural plates fall off at a constant rate. Justified in that the thing was half-built when it was fired (it was a replacement for the one blown up in the [[VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved first game]]).

** Averted in the final escape sequence of ''VideoGame/MetroidFusion''. While there is some destruction near the exit of the ship, that's due to the PostFinalBoss rampaging about.

* ''VideoGame/Halo3'' has a variant of this. After starting up the [[DepopulationBomb Halo ring]], it needs several minutes to charge and literally shakes itself apart. The last section of the game is a mad dash to find a way off. While there's no explicit timer, the structural plates fall off at a constant rate. Justified in that the thing was half-built when it was fired (it was a replacement for the one blown up in the [[VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved first game]]).
* ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'': The Chief destroys the Halo ring by detonating the engines of the UNSC ''Pillar Of Autum''. After [[VideoGame/{{Marathon}} frag blasting the vent core]], Cortana puts a timer on the Chief’s HUD counting down the engines going critical. Despite apparently driving the length of the ship going away from the engines, various fires and explosions can be seen all through the TrenchRun.

See also: CollapsingLair, NoOSHACompliance, MadeOfExplodium. Compare GoingCritical.

** Speaking of ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'', the Chief destroys that first ring by detonating the UNSC ''Pillar Of Autum ''’s engines. After [[VideoGame/{{Marathon}} frag blasting the vent core]], Cortana puts a timer on the Chief’s HUD counting down the engines going critical. Despite apparently driving the length of the ship going away from the engines, various fires and explosions can be seen all through the TrenchRun.

** The first game is a bit of an interesting case. While the UsefulNotes/{{N|intendoEntertainmentSystem}}ES original completely averts the trope after defeating Mother Brain, the UsefulNotes/{{GBA}} remake ''VideoGame/MetroidZeroMission'' barely offers an appropriate retcon for playing it straight in the same place. However, ''Zero Mission'' does avert the trope later on in the Space Pirate mothership.

* ''VideoGame/{{Star Fox 64}}'': During the Fortuna mission, Slippy notices several enemy craft leaving the captured base. [[MissionControl ROB 64]] informs the team that the enemy planted a bomb in the base; before anyone can defuse it, they must deal with an attack by Star Wolf. If you drag out the battle, you'll notice the base starting to spark and billow forth a few small explosions. When your time gets really low, the original stage music will start up again, timed so that the climax of the track will play while everybody retreats.
* ''VideoGame/{{Halo 3}}'' has a variant of this. After starting up the [[DepopulationBomb Halo ring]], it needs several minutes to charge and literally shakes itself apart. The last section of the game is a mad dash to find a way off. While there's no explicit timer, the structural plates fall off at a constant rate. Justified in that the thing was half-built when it was fired (it was a replacement for the one blown up in the [[VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved first game]]).

[[AC: {{Film}}]]

[[AC: Video Games]]

[[AC: WebOriginal]]

* ''WebVideo/ResidentEvilAbridged'': After Chris defeats the Tyrant, Rebecca sets off the Umbrella base's self-destruct sequence, giving the surviving S.T.A.R.S. members 4min. to evacuate. But as they near the helipad, another wave of B.O.Ws[[note]]bio-organic weapons[[/note]] attacks. Jill and Rebecca [[YouShallNotPass hold them off]] while Chris signals Brad, then defeats the Tyrant a second time. They escape only moments before the Umbrella lab's destruction, which takes the Spencer Mansion along with it.

* ''WebVideo/ResidentEvilAbridged'': After Chris defets the Tyrant, Rebecca sets off the Umbrella base's self-destruct sequence, giving the surviving S.T.A.R.S. members 4min. to evacuate. But as they near the helipad, another wave of B.O.Ws[[note]]bio-organic weapons[[/note]] attacks. Jill and Rebecca holds them off while Chris signals Brad to pick them up, then defeats the Tyrant a second time. They escape only moments before the Umbrella lab's destruction, which takes the Spencer Mansion along with it.