History Main / PassThroughTheRings

* Whereas the series's previous entries has it as a slot machine, ''EscapeVelocity Nova's'' gambling minigame has the player betting on the outcome of a space race involving this. A rare example where it's not the player doing it.

* From the ''VideoGame/StarFox1'' onwards, it's common in ''Franchise/StarFox'' to pilot your Arwing through various rings for different reasons. In addition, every game that has a training mode uses rings for it.
** A few hidden exits in ''VideoGame/StarFox64'' are unlocked by doing this, even.

* ''[[{{Descent}} Descent 3]]'' requires the player to fly through a series of rings to acquire the builder's icon in the Martian Nomad Caverns. Yes, a bunch of groundbound nomads locked up the key to their inner sanctum with a lock that requires an agrav ship to unlock.

* The final BossBattle in ''VideoGame/SlyCooperAndTheThieviusrAccoonus'' featured this, as one of the boss's attacks is shooting rings with the only safe spot being the dead center.

* Some space sims from the early 1990s, particularly ''VideoGame/XWing'' and derivatives, used this trope for their training levels, which were usually not required to play, though you could get a BraggingRightsReward for completing them. ''{{X-Wing Alliance}}'' even put in a lot of thought into coming up with an in-game reason for its PassThroughTheRings "pilot proving ground" to be a real place and not a holographic simulator.

* The ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants Movie Game'' has certain 'Patty Wagon' ring challenges where you would have to steer the patty wagon through the- yeh, OK you get it...

** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' also have a couple of these missions for the underwater levels, made a bit easier with motor-powered Koopa shells.

[[quoteright:300:[[{{Superman 64}} http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/supes_4004.jpg]]]]

* ''{{Superman 64}}'' has a ''lot'' of these. Bizarrely, Lex Luthor introduces these ''linear'' ring racing segments by challenging Superman to [[http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/498/239007-ss03.png "SOLVE MY MAZE"]]. This went all MemeticMutation for N64 magazine (later NGamer), to the point that Lex Luthor's Solve My Maze became a regular feature when the title changed focus to the GameCube and became NGC.

* ''{{Superman 64}}'' has a ''lot'' of these. Bizarrely, Lex Luthor introduces these ''linear'' ring racing segments by challenging Superman to [[http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/2218/250660-superman64_screen_large.jpg "SOLVE MY MAZE"]]. This went all MemeticMutation for N64 magazine (later NGamer), to the point that Lex Luthor's Solve My Maze became a regular feature when the title changed focus to the GameCube and became NGC.

* ''ForzaMotorsport 4'' has Autocross events, where you need to pass through series of cone gates within a set amount of time (taking longer will result in less payout). The cones are arranged in hellish configurations to truly test how responsive your car is - slaloms, sudden braking, and oddly placed gates in turns. Every time you hit a cone or miss the gate, 5 seconds is added onto your lap time.

** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' also had a couple of these missions for the underwater levels, made a bit easier with motor-powered Koopa shells.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' had this as a swimming minigame. You're then told you have to do it again to get your prize. And twice more if you want the piece of heart.

* ''EccoTheDolphin: The Tides Of Time'' had the main character swim through rings to progress between certain levels.

* The ''{{Spyro}}'' games have this as a minigame, too. {{Spyro 2}} had two missions in the world "Aquaria Towers", involving riding on a Manta Ray through rings made of bubbles.
* There's an option in some entries in the ''VideoGame/MicrosoftFlightSimulator'' series that allows you to see a flight path as a series of rings. Follow them, and you'll have a nice, smooth flight. Likewise, if you want an easy, smooth landing, just turn on an option that renders a landing path as a series of rings.
** ''Sega Airline Pilots'', an arcade flight sim, has a similar feature, except that the rings are mandatory, as they make up your flight route.
* Pretty much the entire point of ''NightsIntoDreams'' and its sequel. Believe it or not, this is actually fun.

* ''RocketRobotOnWheels'' had several ring missions, usually involving each level's specific vehicle.

* ''RatchetDeadlocked'' had several missions wherein you had to steer a vehicle (either a hoverbike or a spaceship) through rings in a certain time limit.
** ''RatchetAndClankGoingCommando'' had three ring races in space as optional missions for 100% completion.

* ''VideoGame/{{Excite}} Truck'' had challenge modes which involved either ramp jumps through rings, or navigating through ever-shrinking gates. This is because, unlike most racers, the goal is not to come in first, but score the most points. Every course has a jump where you can attempt to fly through rings for points, although you can score roughly the same amount of points by getting air-time or successful mid-air spins.

* One of ''VideoGame/{{Drakengard}} 2'''s boss fights is one of these. The boss would create rings of fireballs that you had to fly through or else they inexplicably home in on you.

* The ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants Movie Game'' had certain 'Patty Wagon' ring challenges where you would have to steer the patty wagon through the- yeh, OK you get it...
* The flight training levels from ''TonicTrouble'', but thankfully not the main levels.
* ''DragonBallZ: Infinite World'' on the PS2 had several of these levels, often for no discernible reason. Why do we have to go through a bunch of rings to save Gohan when you can easily go straight to Raditz's spaceship?
* ''[[VideoGame/{{Bug}} BUG!]]'' had this, where the titular character had to ride a dragonfly through flaming rings (missing one ended the level). Thankfully, it was only an optional BonusLevel, and not very difficult as compared to some other examples on this list.

* ''ForzaMotorsport 4'' has Autocross events, where you need to pass through series of cone gates within a set amount of time (taking longer will result in less payout). The cones are arranged in hellish configurations to truly test how responsive your car is - slaloms, sudden braking, and oddly placed gates in turns. Every time you hit a cone or miss the gate, 5 seconds is added onto your lap time. Thankfully, the Autocross events are all fairly easy in the singleplayer - unless you only own muscle cars or trucks.
* Whereas the series's previous entries had it as a slot machine, ''EscapeVelocity Nova's'' gambling minigame had the player betting on the outcome of a space race involving this. A rare example where it's not the player doing it.

* The ''VideoGame/RogueSquadron'' tutorial levels had you fly through a series of Rebel insignias.

* In ''VideoGame/IndependenceWar'', there were a couple missions that required you to fly through rings as a training course of sorts. Hitting the side of one, however, was pretty nearly fatal.
** The one ring mission in the sequel, ''[[VideoGame/IndependenceWar2 Edge of Chaos]]'', was rather harder. You still had to fly through large metal rings without smacking into them, but you also had to shoot moving targets along the way.

* Some space sims from the early 1990s, particularly ''{{X-Wing}}'' and derivatives, used this trope for their training levels, which were usually not required to play, though you could get a BraggingRightsReward for completing them. ''{{X-Wing Alliance}}'' even put in a lot of thought into coming up with an in-game reason for its PassThroughTheRings "pilot proving ground" to be a real place and not a holographic simulator.

Though these missions are reviled, remember that TropesAreNotBad.

* ''LegendOfKay'' has it for the riding minigames. While it makes some sort of sense for the races it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever for the dragon ride, where Kay just wants to get from A to B.
* One of ''{{Drakengard}} 2'''s boss fights is one of these. The boss would create rings of fireballs that you had to fly through or else they inexplicably home in on you.
* The completely optional "races" in ''SaintsRow2'' follow this general theme. Some races are timed, while others feature rival drivers. Every one of the barnstorming challenges required passing through rings, too.

* Similarly, the DCUniverseOnline has MMO racing challenges a player can choose to take, consisting of timed ring obstacle courses throughout the cities.

* The ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxter'' series frequently features this trope. ''VideoGame/JakIIRenegade'''s difficulty ranks at or just below NintendoHard. In addition to having an "accelerator ring" race that ranks in the top 3 hardest missions of the game, there are numerous optional ring races that incredibly manage to be ''considerably harder'' than the rest of the game. ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'' repeats this.

* ''''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' has at least five ring-passing missions, two of which are in the Clanker's Cavern level. In comparison, ''Banjo-Tooie'' has only one PassThroughTheRings mission: the Hoop Hurry minigame in Witchyworld. And then there's ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts'', where you have to pass through rings nearly every other Jiggy Game it seems like.

* In ''VideoGame/SkyOdyssey'', transparent rings are in each level and are colored white and yellow. White rings guide the player on the correct path through the area. Yellow rings are harder to safely pass through without crashing your aircraft, but worth more points. All of these rings are optional to pass through but give players a better store, allowing them to buy more parts to [[AceCustom customize their aircraft]].

* The ''SlyCooper'' series. Even the final BossBattle in the first game featured this, though it had a reason (it was one of the boss's attacks, with the only safe spot being the dead center).

* The ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxter'' series frequently features this trope. ''VideoGame/JakIIRegenade'''s difficulty ranks at or just below NintendoHard. In addition to having an "accelerator ring" race that ranks in the top 3 hardest missions of the game, there are numerous optional ring races that incredibly manage to be ''considerably harder'' than the rest of the game. ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'' repeats this.

''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':

* The ''JakAndDaxter'' series.
** ''JakII'''s difficulty ranks at or just below NintendoHard. In addition to having an "accelerator ring" race that ranks in the top 3 hardest missions of the game, there are numerous optional ring races that incredibly manage to be ''considerably harder'' than the rest of the game. ''{{Jak 3}}'' repeats this.

* ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' has a fair number of these. It makes a little more sense than usual, because it's just one of the ridiculous tasks you have to perform to collect the {{Plot Coupon}}s, plus Nintendo was basically showing off its new 64-bit tech.

*** ''Mario Golf'' 2 has ''co-op'' ring shot, with different sets of holes for 1, 2, 3, or 4 players. Only one ball needs to go through each ring (with more rings across more paths to compensate), but ''[[StopHavingFunGuys everyone]]'' needs to make par to win.
** The ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros'' series has red and green rings that trigger like-colored coins to appear, collecting all of which awards you a power-up, or if you already have such an item, an extra life. This carried to SuperMario3DLand, which also has yellow rings that simply award bonus coins.
* ''{{Banjo-Kazooie}}'' had at least five arbitrary ring-passing missions - the Clanker's Cavern level had ''two.''
** ''Banjo-Tooie'' had only one PassThroughTheRings mission: the Hoop Hurry minigame in Witchyworld.
** And then there's ''Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts'', where you have to pass through rings nearly every other Jiggy Game it seems like.
* A few hidden exits in ''VideoGame/StarFox64'' are unlocked by doing this.
** Let's be fair, from the very first game onwards, you've been forced into piloting your Arwing through various rings for various reasons. In addition, every game that has a training mode uses rings for it.
** ''Command'' is especially guilty of this, even though the game uses squares for it. Chasing down a missile? Pass through the squares. Barrel Roll into the enemy mothership? Pass through the squares.
** In ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'', every time you go from the planet to a chunk, the flight corridor has ten Gold Rings to fly through. Only one chunk requires you to pass through all of them to get there, but whenever you do, you gain bonus points for that flight.
*** In addition, there are two cases where Fox must pass through rings of sparkles. At CloudRunner Fortress, Fox must use pillars, other structures, and floating crates to jump through a series of rings along a path over water. At the Walled City, rings appear in the stream around the central land mass, the object being to ''swim'' or otherwise pass through them. Both instances are a race against time, but in the second case, passing through a ring gives you a few more seconds.

* The ''VideoGame/HarryPotter'' video games seem to like this one. The broomstick and Hippogriff flying lessons in their versions of ''Philosopher's Stone'' and ''Chamber of Secrets'' use this mechanic, and the Quidditch adaptations in each game also use the mechanic as an assist for chasing the golden snitch.
** Despite this, the rings only show up in ''Quidditch World Cup'' as an aid in the passing tutorials.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' had this as a swimming minigame. You're then told you have to do it AGAIN to get your prize. BaitAndSwitch!
** And twice more if you want the piece of heart.

* ''{{Pilotwings}}'' at least has the justification of being about aerial acrobatics. It's also one of the oldest examples of this trope.
* ''EccoTheDolphin: The Tides Of Time'' had the main character swim through rings to progress between certain levels. It didn't seem to matter that the levels themselves were frustratingly difficult, to ''really'' finish the level you had to swim through the rings!
** The HandWave was that they were "teleport rings" that sent him several miles at a jump, or some rot like that, and if you missed too many you wouldn't make it to your destination. [[SarcasmMode Because everyone was so confused about how Ecco got from place to place in the first game]].

* The ''{{Spyro}}'' games had this as a minigame, too.
** Except they're less "fly through the rings" and more "fly through the rings, take down all the planes, break open all the treasure chests, and sink all the boats. In one go. And within the time limit." They were usually called "Speedways" or "Flights"
** And also as a loading screen in ''Enter The Dragonfly''. [[LoadsAndLoadsOfLoading A really]] ''[[LoadsAndLoadsOfLoading long]]'' [[LoadsAndLoadsOfLoading loading screen.....]]
* {{Spyro 2}} had two missions in the world "Aquaria Towers", involving riding on a Manta Ray through rings made of bubbles.
* In a rare case when Passing Through The Rings is an useful and welcome feature, there's an option in some entries in the ''VideoGame/MicrosoftFlightSimulator'' series that allows you to see a flight path as a series of rings. Follow them, and you'll have a nice, smooth flight. Likewise, if you want an easy, smooth landing, just turn on an option that renders a landing path as a series of rings.

* A GameBoy ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' game used this when you went to warp speed, in order to put you in another system. Despite this being hard as hell on some occasions, it's impossible to fail, which may render this [[SubvertedTrope a subversion]].
** Perhaps it was a minigame the helmsman (you, in this case) was playing to pass time while at warp? ...And besides, I thought the rings were for establishing orbit around a planet, not for warp speed. [[FridgeLogic Although that makes even less sense.]]
*** Maybe they're to mark the course to take as part of orbital insertion?

* Used infuriatingly in the ''Ultimate {{Spider-Man}}'' game, as Spidey's (or Venom's, for that matter) movements are rarely in a straight line and missing once can lead to having to start all over again.
* Slightly obscure PlatformGame ''RocketRobotOnWheels'' had several ring missions, usually involving each level's specific vehicle.

* ''VideoGame/{{Excite}} Truck'' had challenge modes which involved either ramp jumps through rings, or navigating through ever-shrinking gates. Neither of which was nearly as fun as the truck smashing challenge.
** This is actually a major part of gameplay. Unlike most racers, the goal is not to come in first, but score the most points. Every course has a jump where you can attempt to fly through rings for points, although you can score roughly the same amount of points by getting air-time or successful mid-air spins.
* ''DonkeyKong64'' contains three such challenges. Two of them can be a slight hassle as you have to do so with Diddy's jetpack which can be slightly difficult to use (but you could always use hover). The other one is a boss fight where you have to use a boat that [[UnexpectedGameplayChange you only use in that one stage]] while avoiding shockwaves and fireballs.
* ''JetpackBrontosaurus''. (Yes, it's a real game.)
* ''VideoGame/MarioKart'' had these on the DS in the mission mode.
* ''DiddyKongRacing'' used rings as booster pads for planes. Also, you had to beat every track two times, the second time with the added challenge to collect eight silver coins, which is quite similar in how it restricts your movement options, but you could get them in any order and you had all three laps to get them.

** Likewise, the [[ScrappyLevel Gummi Missions]] in [[VideoGame/KingdomHearts the first game]].

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' suffered from it where you had to pass through rings too.
* ''LegendOfKay'' has it for the riding minigames. While it makes some sort of sense for the races (you have to stay on the track, right?) it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever for the dragon ride, where Kay just wants to get from A to B.

* The completely optional "races" in ''SaintsRow2'' follow this general theme. Some races are timed, while others feature rival drivers.
** Every one of the barnstorming challenges required passing through rings.

* The "Power Cruising" event in ''WiiSports Resort''.

* Actually done for a reason and in purposefully over-simplistic style in Atari's mid-90s ''Tempest 2000'' title reboot. Fly-though-rings levels appeared every now and then amongst the notably manic main levels, ostensibly to give you a quiet breather in which to dry your hands and catch your breath, as well as score some bonus points or extra lives if you did well. However, though they started slowly, the action was almost as mad as the main game once you neared the end of the course... (How simplistic? It was noted in one review as officially being called "flying the bacon" due to the flat-plane texture of Jupiter's streaky clouds you flew over, and sometimes below after passing through the "rasher"... with space appearing UNDER you. The bacon was a single polygon, and so were the hoops which never appeared more than about three at a time to make it harder to plan which way to go. However, given the early appearance of the game (VideoGame/StarFox on the SNES would still have been sort-of current), the general surreality of all the rest of it, and ''Jeff Minter''s rather random humour, it's probably allowable...)

* Each world in ''[[Main/ToyCommander Toy Commander]]'', with the exception of the Cellar, has one race consisting of this.
** [[spoiler: The unlockable garden level has a race like this where you play as a snail and race other snails. Unlike the other levels in the game, getting hit doesn't damage you, it just stuns you for a few seconds.]]

** ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros has red and green rings that trigger like-colored coins to appear, collecting all of which awards you a power-up, or if you already have such an item, an extra life. This carried to SuperMario3DLand, which also has yellow rings that simply award bonus coins.

** ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DLand'' has two types of these - yellow ones that give you bonus coins, and red ones that trigger red coins to appear, collecting all of which awards you a tanuki leaf or fire flower, or if you already have such an item, an extra life.

* Each world in [[Main/ToyCommander Toy Commander]], with the exception of the Cellar, has one race consisting of this.