Line #27 Main/BossWarningSiren


1	[[quoteright:320:[[VideoGame/MegaManX5 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/MMX5_BossWarning_2513.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:320:In case [[BossCorridor the ominous, interlocking double doors you took to get in here]] weren't enough of a clue.]]
3
4	-> ''"'''WARNING!''' A HUGE BATTLESHIP 'KING FOSSIL' IS APPROACHING FAST."''
5	-->-- ''VideoGame/{{Darius}}''
6
7	In some video games, before you fight a boss, the screen will start flashing red while the word '''WARNING!''' flashes up on the screen as the stage music fades out or stops abruptly. Sometimes, it could be a visual warning ''or'' an audio warning; it doesn't necessarily have to be both. In any case, this lets the player know that a more powerful foe is imminent.
8
9	Often a SugarWiki/MostWonderfulSound, especially if it precedes an [[Awesome/VideoGameBosses awesome boss]]. Though when it precedes ThatOneBoss, it also means "ThisIsGonnaSuck."
10
11	May overlap with BossSubtitles. Related to FightWoosh and RedAlert. See also SuspiciousVideoGameGenerosity.
12	----
13	!!Examples:
14
15	[[foldercontrol]]
16
17	[[folder:Action Adventure]]
18	* Played with in ''VideoGame/AxiomVerge'', where the track used for Uruku, the [[spoiler:hallucination boss]], and the FinalBoss starts with an air raid siren.
19	* ''VideoGame/BlasterMaster'':
20	** The NES game has boss rooms that do this without the text message. The screen begins to repeatedly flash as an alert siren stops the music, before fading out the screen completely and revealing the boss. Interestingly, you can still leave the room just before the screen fades out completely, allowing you to go back and better prepare yourself if you're not ready to fight them.
21	** Warnings also appear in ''Blaster Master Zero'', with added BossSubtitles. Unlike the NES game, however, the room doesn't darken, and you don't have an opportunity to quickly retreat. In-universe, this is a feature of the Metal Attacker's AI; this is why Jason himself is assigned the title "Blaster Master" by Kane's MA.
22	* ''VideoGame/GoldenForce'' throws one of these before an incoming boss fight, in the form of bright red bars with the words '''WARNING!''' written in caps.
23	* ''VideoGame/TheGuardianLegend'' uses warning sirens in both the flying and ground stages just before a boss battle starts. On the ground, you can leave the boss arena just before the pyramids seal off all of the exits.
24	* Once you unlock a boss in ''VideoGame/LaMulana'' and have at least one Ankh Jewel, the track "Requiem" plays when you're in the room with the boss Ankh. Additionally, every boss theme starts with the same RecurringRiff.
25	* ''VideoGame/NierAutomata'' has a warning card accompanied by a klaxon whenever a Goliath class machine is detected. These range from machines the size of a house to machines the size of a skyscraper. This siren also plays during important boss fights.
26	* In ''Videogame/AssassinsCreedOrigins'' whenever one of the powerful Phylake warriors gets within 100 metres a war horn blasts. Since they move freely within a certain area of the world and are often far more powerful than you probably are at that time, it's incredibly helpful. Even better, if you ''do'' fight and defeat one, the war horn sounds again this time sounding a bit strangled and defeated putting that sweet end note to a good fight.
27	* Each boss fight in ''VideoGame/VernalEdge'' is prefaced by a screen displaying the boss's name alongside a progress bar that becomes their health bar when it's finished loading [[note]]it's possible to land a few hits and even get off a charged attack or two before this[[/note]] with two scrolling marquees on the top and bottom of the screen reciting the poem "Fire and Ice" by Creator/RobertFrost.
28	[[/folder]]
29
30	[[folder:Beat 'em Up]]
31	* Played with in the remixed boss theme from ''VideoGame/StreetsOfRageRemake'', which begins with a sample that sounds like a siren.
32	* In ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'', level 14 has the music stop and a siren resounding just before you fight {{Mini Boss}}es Courage and Temperance. Comes along with this entire ShootEmUp section being a homage to VideoGame/AfterBurner.
33	* ''VideoGame/EightMan1991'' throws a "Warning!" screen before each boss stage, with the boss looking menacingly at the player as the red background blinks rapidly. You have two seconds to prepare for battle.
34	* ''VideoGame/JitsuSquad'' will let out a huge "[[https://i.ytimg.com/vi/A6Rsm2T8JX8/maxresdefault.jpg DANGER!]]" prior to boss fights.
35	* ''VideoGame/TheWonderful101'' adds an alarm tone and a "WARNING" pop-up on the MookDebutCutscene for bosses. In addition, Operation 006-A's miniboss (being an UnexpectedShmupLevel) features the same pop-up before the boss without the debut cutscene.
36	* ''[[VideoGame/DadSeries Dadgame]]'' has a large warning appear on screen before facing [[FinalBoss Final]] [[HumongousMecha Weapon]] [[spoiler:or [[TrueFinalBoss Final Weapon X]].]] This has the added benefit of highlighting where the boss will be appearing, because otherwise it would be possible to get accidentally caught under its feet just as it comes out.
37	* ''VideoGame/NinjaBaseballBatman'' always starts the fight with some baseballs popping out from underground and blowing a fanfare on their trumpets to herald the incoming boss.
38	* ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza 0}}'' has the [[OptionalBoss Mr. Shakedown]] enemies, who's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut9kyP1Bsx4 theme music begins with a warning siren.]] ''Reign'', the track that plays while [[spoiler:Majima storms the Dojima Family's HQ]], also starts with a siren - except [[spoiler:''you're the boss'']].
39	[[/folder]]
40
41	[[folder:Driving]]
42	* In ''Buck Up And Drive!'', when a police car shows up to assault you, a police siren plays and the filled-up Heat gauge is replaced with "IT'S THE '''''POLICE!'''''" (Or a slang term in place of "police", such as "rozzers", "law", "bobbies", or "plods")
43	[[/folder]]
44
45	[[folder:Fighting]]
46	* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'':
47	** The series generally has a klaxon of some sort for Bonus Character battles.
48	** In the [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Wily Castle]] stage in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U'', a faint warning siren can be heard before the Yellow Devil makes its appearance.
49	* The ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' example below also carries over to ''VideoGame/SNKVsCapcomSVCChaos'', where the klaxons sound whenever Zero is about to confront any of the bosses, including Shin Akuma and Serious Mr. Karate, in the boss battles, but not against any normally playable characters.
50	* In ''VideoGame/CapcomVsSNK2MarkOfTheMillennium'', if you meet the requirements for one of the two midbosses:
51	-->'''{{Announcer\|Chatter}}:''' "This is the final! This is wh--''Wait a second! A new opponent has interrupted the tournament!''"
52	* Once the ''VideoGame/GundamVsSeries'' starts adding in Mobile Armors as bosses, the pre-fight screen signifies a boss stage with a warning klaxon, often accompanied by the words "ENGAGE UNKNOWN ENEMY". Starting with ''Extreme Vs.'', your Navigator will also start to get uneasy when you select a boss stage.
53	* Most bosses in the ''VideoGame/VirtualOn'' series are accompanied by one. The first game had "WARNING" flashing on the screen accompanied with a siren when facing the mid-game penalty boss, while later games would have the word cryptically being said out loud by the announcer. In all of these instances, the sirens or the word is heard [[FourIsDeath four times]] before the boss appears.
54	[[/folder]]
55
56	[[folder:First Person Shooter]]
57	* In ''VideoGame/BlakeStone'', a warning klaxon or similar signal normally sounds just before the Final Boss Battle in each of the six missions.
58	* ''VideoGame/{{Overload}}'' features a loud siren and a menacing message about a massive incoming threat as the player enters the boss area.
59	* ''VideoGame/PrimalCarnage'': If the human team captures the penultimate checkpoint in the Get to the Chopper game-mode, the distant roar of a ''Tyrannosaurus'' will thunder over the map. This signals to all players that [[PlayAsABoss Tyrant class dinosaurs]] are now unlocked for the dinosaur team.
60	[[/folder]]
61
62	[[folder:MMORPG]]
63	* In ''VideoGame/{{Elsword}}'', every boss had one before the boss fight starts.
64	* In ''VideoGame/MapleStory'', the appearance of an Elite Boss (a unique boss that gives special drops) has a loud siren proceeding it on the current and a message flashing on every map in the zone, letting all players there know about it.
65	[[/folder]]
66
67	[[folder:Miscellaneous Games]]
68	* All ''VideoGame/{{WarioWare}}'' titles have a sound clip whenever a boss stage is coming up next and will linger on the screen between microgames eight beats longer than normal. There will usually (but not always) be an on-screen message telling you that you're about to encounter the boss. Said sound clip varies from game to game, but that in ''VideoGame/WarioWareSmoothMoves'' sounds particularly like a klaxon played to a beat.
69	* ''VideoGame/TrashPanic'' has a warning siren with a red hue and big letters overtaking the screen right before a "boss" trash piece comes up for you to dispose. Unlike some other games, the huge alert signs are necessary, since it's the biggest piece of trash, you have a set amount of time to break it down (you get a HUGE penalty if you do not), you can't "hold" it, and it's usually very sturdy. The player NEEDS to know when this comes in, thus the sirens and redness.
70	* Inverted in ''VideoGame/{{Descent}} I'' and ''II'', where an [[CollapsingLair escape warning siren]] sounds ''after'' [[LoadBearingBoss each boss is defeated]]... because the boss is usually a ReactorBoss that, by damaging, you just triggered a nuclear meltdown.
71	* Downplayed in ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}''. When bosses occur naturally they are accompanied by an onscreen message (such as "You feel an evil presence watching you" for the Eye of Cthulhu, or "You feel a quaking deep underground" for the Destroyer) each boss having a unique message so the player can tell which one is coming. When summoned a message saying "(Boss Name Here) has awoken!" accompanied by a common boss monster roar. [[spoiler: In addition to an onscreen message, the screen blurs and darkens and the music fades to silence when the Moon Lord is about to appear.]]
72	* Before fighting a boss in ''VideoGame/CrashFever'' a siren will sound out along with the message “Area Boss Appeared!!”.
73	* Used in ''VideoGame/JetpackJoyride2'' after you get a required amount of score before fighting a boss. A pop-up in angle brackets is yellow if it's a KingMook version of a regular enemy or [[RecurringBoss The Science]] [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Crew]], and red when it's the leader of the laboratory you're in. They and The Science Crew also get separate banner displaying their name.
74	[[/folder]]
75
76	[[folder:Platformer]]
77	* In ''VideoGame/TheAngryVideoGameNerdAdventures'', the "Boo! Haunted House" stage parodies ''VideoGame/ANightmareOnElmStreetNES'' with the warning ''BIMMY'S©™ COMING!''.
78	* ''VideoGame/BubbleBobble'': Occurs with the battleship Yamato in ''Bubble Symphony'' much like in ''Darius'', and with each boss in ''Bubble Memories''.
79	* ''VideoGame/{{Catherine}}'': "_____ has appeared. It's the killer. [[TryNotToDie Do not die.]]"
80	* ''VideoGame/CogenSwordOfRewind'': Every boss is prefaced with a red-on-black "WARNING" across the screen, as well as blaring alarm, while their health bar fills up.
81	* In ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongJungleBeat'', after levels before a boss appears, if it is the banana eating minigame and then after clearing that, there will also be a sound to signify a boss is approaching. The Kong bosses give out an EvilLaugh, the hog bosses give out a laugh that sounds like they are LaughingMad, the roc bosses give out a screech, and the tusk bosses give out an mechanical elephant sound. During that sound, the monkeys run off and Donkey Kong turns to face the silhouetted boss.
82	* Perhaps the weirdest boss warning comes from the [=PS1=] game ''Eggs of Steel'', where a cutscene plays before certain bosses showing the game's BigBad dancing and challenging the player to "BEAT MY BOSS!".
83	* ''Videogame/GianaSistersTwistedDreams'': It comes accompanied with BossSubtitles.
84	* ''VideoGame/IWannaBeTheGuy'', parodying ''Ikaruga'', provides a klaxon and "WARNING: NO REFUGE" sign when Mecha Birdo is approaching.
85	* In ''VideoGame/MagicalDoropie'', {{Boss Only Level}}s are herald with a screen saying "ALERT!!" in big letters on a black screen flashing red. The player then appears in the level while the boss makes its entrance. When the boss's entrance is finished, a "Data File" on the boss appears, listing its name, health, strength, speed, damage and special ability. However, in the final stage, none of the final three bosses have any alert screens or data profiles, although the siren is still heard while the final boss is materialising.
86	* ''Franchise/MegaMan'':
87	** The ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' series has this starting from ''VideoGame/MegaManX4'', just before the boss appeared on screen and monologued with the player character. It was carried over to the ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManZX'' series as well, although in those cases it happened just before the fight begins after the boss's monologue.
88	** The ''VideoGame/MegaMan1'' remake ''VideoGame/MegaManPoweredUp'' also had this, despite not being present in the other games from the classic series. As this was the LighterAndSofter version of Mega Man, the warning is presented in a colorful non-serif font, and Roll is heard saying "Warning!" in an oddly cheerful voice.
89	** ''Maverick Hunter X'' added them to a remake of the first ''Megaman X'' as well. In both cases, they masked UMD load times much as the ones from X4-X8 masked CD load times.
90	* ''Mega VideoGame/{{Turrican}}'' has a klaxon ring and a voice shout "EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!" when encountering a boss, except for [[FinalBoss The Machine]].
91	* ''VideoGame/MetalStorm'' flashes "RED ALERT!" when the player is about to fight the level boss. Does not apply to the BossRush at the end, however.
92	* In several platform games made by Creator/{{Rare}}, such as ''VideoGame/JetForceGemini'' (also an action game), ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'' and ''[[VideoGame/BanjoKazooie Banjo-Tooie]]'', among others, a boss is presented through a lengthy cutscene as onminous music plays. The buildup of the battle may be based on either the boss's slow but climactic arrival to the battle arena, or even the ''assembling'' of the boss (as in the case of Mr Patch in ''Banjo-Tooie'' and King Kut Out in [=DK64=]). Notably, for each of the three mentioned games the background music building up the encounter is the same (including for the FinalBoss), whereas in ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'' and ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'' each boss has its own music presentation.
93	* In ''VideoGame/RunSaber'', normally an arrow appears at the top of the screen showing you which way to proceed through the stage. However, when a boss is encountered, an ''ALERT!'' icon blinks there instead.
94	* {{Justified\|Trope}} in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'''s boss fight against the Flying Dog. In the cutscene preceding the battle, Rouge is caught sneaking into a maximum-security vault and triggers an [[RedAlert alarm]] that alerts the boss to her presence.
95	-->'''Flying Dog:''' This is Flying Dog to Headquarters. Intruder found in the Security Hall. Preparing to attack.
96	* In ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'', the final boss BGM starts with a blaring klaxon.
97	* In the Platform/SegaGenesis ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' video game, Spidey's SpiderSense always goes off just before a Boss villain appears with a quick visual of the usual wavy lines around his head. However, this is also a signal of a prime opportunity to take a picture of the enemy to sell to the Daily Bugle for more webfluid.
98	* ''VideoGame/{{Valis}} II'': "WARNING: A strong warrior, (AdjectiveNounFred), is coming!"
99	* ''VideoGame/{{VVVVVV}}'' has a screen named "The Warning". One conveyor belt tunnel, no spikes, ''eight checkpoints in a row.'' Immediately after this screen comes the path to [[BrutalBonusLevel Doing Things The Hard Way]], a six-screen long gauntlet of spikes traversed both ways.
100	[[/folder]]
101
102	[[folder:Rhythm Game]]
103	* ''VideoGame/BitTrip'': All the original six games display the word "BOSS" when confronting one, though it's most prominent in ''FATE'' where sound cues accompany the warning.
104	* ''VideoGame/DanceDanceRevolution'' games that feature an Extra Stage will sound an alarm if you meet the requirements for it.
105	* In ''VideoGame/{{beatmania}} IIDX'', after unlocking an Extra Stage boss song, the music select BGM will be overriden by a short loop of the boss, or a new BGM altogether from ''beatmania IIDX 20 tricoro'' onwards. In some cases, the background will change accordingly. This only applies to bosses that are made available on the standard music select screen, not bosses accessed through a special "boss select" screen (e.g. ''beatmania IIDX 13 [=DistorteD=]''[='=]s Cardinal Gate or ''beatmania IIDX 16 EMPRESS''[='=]s Empress Place).
106	* Following two normal tracks in ''VideoGame/JustShapesAndBeats''‘ Challenge Mode, a short guitar riff plays as “WARNING: BOSS BATTLE” appears on screen.
107	[[/folder]]
108
109	[[folder:Role Playing Game]]
110	* ''Videogame/ChronoTrigger'' features a diegetic version when the party enters a restricted area in the BadFuture, just before the robotic Guardian boss crashes down from above, knocking them all to the ground, and activates its defense routine.
111	* From ''VideoGame/Disgaea2CursedMemories'' onward, whenever a Pirate group is due to arrive in the [[RandomlyGeneratedLevels Item World]], the screen will flash red as a siren plays. ''VideoGame/Disgaea5AllianceOfVengeance'' even has a '''WARNING''' flash up on screen. ''VideoGame/DisgaeaDimension2'' is the only exception, as Pirate Groups tend to appear on the floor at the very beginning of that map.
112	* Some of the tougher bosses in ''VideoGame/LimbusCompany'', such as certain Abnormalities, the FinalBoss for each Canto dungeon, and [[spoiler:[[HopelessBossFight Ricardo]]]] will have a special intro before their fight, namely the appearance of a red runic circle and 7-pointed star inlaid with the most well-known phrase from the Literature/DivineComedy.
113	--> '''PROELIUM FATALE: LASCIATE OGNI SPERANZA, VOI CH'ENTRATE'''[[labelnote:Translation]]Fatal Battle: Abandon all hope, ye who enter here[[/labelnote]]
114	* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiI'' and ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII'' normally avert these--most of the type you're given no advance warning for upcoming bosses. However, if you encounter one of the [[OptionalBoss Fiends]], each of which have a 1/256 chance of showing up while their specific requirement is met, the game gives you a warning message, asking you if you want to stand your ground. If you say "yes", the game asks you if you ''really'' want to stand your ground. Say "yes" again and the battle immediately begins. This carries over to ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' as well--see below.
115	* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiNocturne'': "The flames of the Candelabrum of Sovereignty are flickering wildly...." This is your one warning that a Fiend is close by. Get to where they're lying in wait, and you'll get the message "You sense the presence of a terrifying demon.... will you stay here?" Answer yes twice and the battle begins.
116	* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney'':
117	** When you're approaching a sector endboss, your [[DiegeticInterface Demonica]] alerts you and pinpoints the location of the boss room. Subverted in Sector Bootes, [[spoiler:when you approach Mitra's lair and get this warning, but when you enter, you're simply greeted with a speech and get escorted back to the Red Sprite afterwards. The warning doesn't trigger again when you approach Mitra's room a second time to assault him, but since you now know his location, it's not necessary.]]
118	** Late into the game, in Sector [[spoiler:Fornax, your Demonica warns you on multiple occasions that a powerful demon is nearby but cannot pinpoint their coordinates. Proceed further and sure enough, you face the OneWingedAngel form of one of the first four sector bosses.]]
119	* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'':
120	** Your Gauntlet's AI, Burroughs, will alert you if there is a boss demon nearby or behind a door.
121	--->''"I'm detecting a strong demon ahead. Do you want to go on?"''\
122	''"Master, look out. I'm detecting a strong demon nearby."''
123	** If you encounter a midboss or certain {{Optional Boss}}es, Burroughs urges you to "be careful."
124	** If you encounter a Fiend, Burroughs urges you to get out, and the same style of "will you stay here" prompts from ''Shin Megami Tensei I'' and ''II'' will pop up. Say "yes" to both and the battle immediately begins.
125	* ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIVApocalypse'' doesn't have Burroughs to warn you of "strong demons"; instead, the game usually just tells you that "you sense something strong" up ahead. However, you also get the Shesha Radar, which gives you increasingly intense alarms as you get closer and closer to Shesha.
126	* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'': During the final boss of the Neutral Route, [[spoiler: [[EldritchAbomination Photoshop Flowey,]]]] a warning siren will sound before [[spoiler:Flowey uses the special attack of one of the six human souls.]]
127	-->'''WARNING!'''\
128	'''WARNING!'''
129	* Pick a fight with a [[BossInMookClothing high-level unique enemy]] in ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'', and your party members will spout warnings that seem to be [[WhatTheHellPlayer meant just as much for the player]] as for the party leader. Some examples:
130	-->'''[[TheHero Shulk:]]''' Are you sure this is a good idea? \
131	'''[[WhiteMage Sharla:]]''' Are you ''trying'' to get us killed?!
132	[[/folder]]
133
134	[[folder:Run and Gun]]
135	* ''VideoGame/CommandoSteelDisaster'' plasters a blood-red "WARNING!" sign over the screen, right before each boss battle.
136	[[/folder]]
137
138	[[folder:Shoot' em Up]]
139	* The shoot-em-up genre ''loves'' this trope. See [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr-OLZmKZ_I this]] compilation video for some of the better-known ones.
140	* ''VideoGame/{{Coryoon}}'' has a generic red "WARNING!" before each boss fight. The final stage, a BossRush, repeats this and have you seeing a "WARNING!" before each rematch.
141	* ''VideoGame/{{Darius}}'' has "A huge battleship is approaching fast!" in most (if not all) of its titles to herald the arrival of its various fish-inspired bosses.
142	* ''[[VideoGame/ExtrapowerStarResistance EXTRAPOWER Star Resistance]]'': ''WARNING! HYPER ENERGY COMES SOON!!''
143	* ''VideoGame/RadiantSilvergun'' has the entire screen taken over with the word "WARNING", as well as the warning "NO REFUGE" and the memetic "BE ATTITUDE FOR GAINS" before every boss fight.
144	* ''VideoGame/{{Ikaruga}}'', the spritual successor to ''Radiant Silvergun'', had a similar message: "WARNING: The big enemy is approaching at full throttle. According to the data, it is identified as "Butsutekkai". NO REFUGE".
145	* Sega Master System's ''Astro Warrior'' shows a message "Warning! Destroy <Boss Name>" before each boss.
146	* In ''VideoGame/StarFox1'', almost all boss battles were announced by an alert klaxon and a short voice clip of "incoming enemy". As this was invariably near the end of each level, it occurred while the level music was fading out to be replaced with the boss battle music.
147	* ''VideoGame/WarningForever'' does this despite being a BossOnlyGame, also giving you its name and a brief chart on its weaponry.
148	* ''VideoGame/BlazingStar'' has before a boss battle an alert klaxon and the message "WARNING" as well as different texts with more or less Engrish.
149	* Indie video game [[http://www.konjak.org/ ''Chalk'']] has the word "WARNING" flash on screen and an opera singer singing "oooohaaaahAAAAAH!" for its boss siren. The last stage includes the siren at the start of its music, which is appropriate since it's a boss rush.
150	* ''VideoGame/{{Einhander}}'' gives a warning that is themed into the level. For example, in the first level, after fighting your way through the city, the police decide that they can't take you down, so they follow behind and ahead of you like a low speed chase, keeping their sirens going while they basically escort you right towards the first boss. Following bosses might have klaxons sounding off to indicate that the boss is powering up and becoming mechanically operational, or have someone over a PA system order for another boss to scramble and prepare for battle.
151	* The ''VideoGame/ThunderForce'' series:
152	** In ''Thunder Force II'', a siren plays when encountering a midboss in a horizontal-scrolling segment. A lower-pitched one plays when facing the stage's endboss.
153	** In ''Thunder Force III'', bosses are preceded by a siren and the word "EMERGENCY" scrolling across the bottom of the screen.
154	** In ''Thunder Force IV'', a siren sounds when a boss battle is about to begin.
155	** In ''Thunder Force V'': "ALERT! The enemy is (approaching fast) / (dead ahead)! Code Name: <boss name> - <boss description>".
156	** In ''Thunder Force VI'', you get a siren and your ship's computer alerting of the boss in [[GratuitousForeignLanguage Tan]][[ClassicalTongue gut]], followed by the name and description of the boss, both in English and Mongolian.
157	* In ''VideoGame/HeavyWeapon'' this occurs with the '''Danger! Danger!''' in bold letters once you get to the end of the stage. It also shows the boss' weapons and abilities (with the exception of the FinalBoss).
158	** Finally, an arrow will also point in the direction the boss approaches from- this is important because two of them (Mechworm and X-Bot) will OneHitKill you if you stay in the wrong spot where they appear.
159	* ''VideoGame/TouhouChireidenSubterraneanAnimism'': Utsuho Reiuji, the [[NuclearMutant nuclear-powered]] [[CorvidTropes Hell raven girl]] (and final boss) of the game, has the distinction of prefixing each of her spell cards with klaxons while the text '☢ Caution !! ☢' flares on-screen.
160	* In the old arcade game ''VideoGame/TimePilot'', a loud warning will sound before the boss shows up on any given level.
161	* In ''VideoGame/BeatHazard'', a warning sound is played when a boss is about to enter the screen.
162	* At one point in ''[[VideoGame/{{Parodius}} Fantastic Journey]]'', the player encounters the [[BattleshipRaid Moai Battleship]], with its placement randomly determined inbetween two of the regular stages. When the player is about to encounter it after clearing one of the stages, its own music theme plays instead of the chosen player character's theme and the message '''WARNING''' flashes on the screen.
163	* ''VideoGame/{{Axelay}}'' has an audible warning siren when approaching a stage boss.
164	* ''VideoGame/{{RefleX}}'' plays an audio siren and displays a "WARNING" banner that displays the name and subtitle of the boss. The siren is also used when [[spoiler:ZODIAC Virgo comes out of nowhere in a cutscene to finish off Cancer.]]
165	* ''VideoGame/JudgementSilversword'':
166	** "WARNING -- HERE COMES THE JUDGE! [ <boss name> ]"
167	** Changed slightly for the final boss:
168	--->"WARNING -- [ [[TitleDrop JUDGEMENT SILVERSWORD]] ]"
169	** And again for the FinalBoss of [[BossRush Special Mode]]:
170	--->"WARNING -- HERE COMES THE FINAL JUDGE! [ E3 ]"
171	* ''VideoGame/RayCrisis'' has "ALERT: GENERATING HUGE ANTIBODY: [boss name]". The Platform/PlayStation port interrupts the music with an audible siren during the warning screen. A different alert is used when you return to the Self-Field to fight the FinalBoss.
172	* ''VideoGame/DonPachi'': "WARNING: THIS IS NOT SIMILATION. GET READY TO DESTOROY THE ENEMY. TARGET FOR THE WEAK POINTS OF F**KIN' MACHINE. DO YOUR BEST YOU HAVE EVER DONE." ...And in the sequels: "You are approaching the target of attack. The mission starts now! Are you ready?", "Watch out! Watch out!", and "An unidentified battleship/[[FinalBoss unprecedented tremendous force]] is approaching!"
173	* ''VideoGame/DangunFeveron'' brings us "[[DiscoStu HEAVEN IS HERE]] [[LargeHam INSIDE MY SOUL!]]"
174	* From ''VideoGame/{{Hellsinker}}'':
175	** AN AWESOME PRAYER IS CONFLICT WITH US -- KEEP YOUR DIGNITY
176	** [[FinalBoss NOW REACHES THE FATAL ATTRACTION BE DESCRIBED AS]] [[TitleDrop 'HELLSINKER']] [[FinalBoss -- DECIDE DESTINATION]]
177	* ''VideoGame/TriggerheartExelica'': "EMERGENCY. EMERGENCY. Your target is approaching."
178	* ''VideoGame/CrimzonClover'': "WARNING - Decide for yourself."
179	** ''[[UpdatedRerelease Crimzon Clover WORLD IGNITION]]'' changes it to "WARNING - Brace yourself!"
180	* ''VideoGame/{{Ketsui}}'': "Approach your target and attack! Your mission starts now! Are you ready?"
181	* ''VideoGame/SpaceInvaders Infinity Gene'':
182	** For midbosses: "'''EMERGENCY''' -- ELIMINATE THE UNEXPECTED ENEMY."
183	** For major bosses: "'''WARNING''' -- A FORMIDABLE ENEMY ''(name of boss)'' HAS ENTERED THE BATTLE."
184	* ''VideoGame/{{Rez}}'', as part of its ExtremeGraphicalRepresentation of hacking: "The system is trying to shut down, trapping you inside! Defend yourself until ''(boss)'' is destroyed or [[TimeLimitBoss self-]][[HoldTheLine destructs]]!"
185	* When you encounter [[TransformingMecha Yokozuna Jr.]] in ''[[VideoGame/{{Contra}} Contra: Shattered Soldier]]'', a warning siren appears. It's actually one of the only ones in the entire series. Also, whenever you encounter a boss in ''VideoGame/HardCorpsUprising'', "WARNING" appears onscreen, followed by the boss name. The only exception to this is the FinalBoss, [[BigBad Tiberius]].
186	* In ''Iron Tank'', when approaching certain bosses, you receive the radio message "Watch out, use radar, gigantic enemy objects ahead!", and the music is overridden by an engine-like sound. An actual siren plays when a [[CoresAndTurretsBoss long-range turret boss]] activates.
187	* ''VideoGame/{{Blazeon}}'' starts looping the boss alert sound when enemies are still on the screen. After the last enemies scroll off, the following "Alarm Messages" appear in succession (the second over a SpeedStripes transition):
188	-->Confirm the High Energy Core--Immeditely (sic) Change Main Reactor to Hyperdrive\
189	Release Hyper-drive and Return to Normal Drive Mode to Get Out of Warp--Set Up Destination in Real Time\
190	Change the Main Reactor Power to Attack Mode
191	* ''VideoGame/{{Raiden}} V'' has this in a first for the series. "Enemy flight battleships are approaching! Good luck!"
192	* ''VideoGame/{{Twinbee}}'', possibly the UrExample, has a buzzer warning of an approaching boss. The NES sequel ''Stinger'' uses a klaxon and EpilepticFlashingLights.
193	* ''VideoGame/{{Tyrian}}'' sometimes warns the player with "Large enemy approaching!". Not always, though.
194	* In ''Demonstar'': "Time to take this bad boy down!"
195	* ''Super Earth Defense Force'' uses DramaticThunder to herald an end stage boss, even in locations where it wouldn't make sense (e.g. a cavern, the vacuum of space, or the alien base interior).
196	* ''VideoGame/NotebookWars Ultimate'' displays a yellow "boss incoming" warning before a boss.
197	* ''VideoGame/{{Frantic}}'': There's always "WARNING" in the center and "MASSIVE ENTITY DETECTED" flashing underneath/scrolling above and below it before a boss shows up.
198	* ''VideoGame/{{Psyvariar}}'' seems to take a page out of Darius, and the [[UpdatedRerelease Updated Re-releases]] ''Psyvariar Revision'' and ''Psyvariar Delta'' also voice it:
199	-->WARNING\
200	THE AREA TARGET\
201	''(boss name)''\
202	IS APPROACHING FAST
203	* ''VideoGame/{{Hydorah}}'' keeps things simple by simply having a machinal voice proclaim "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f6MeagFKQM PREPARE TO DIE!]]" as you are about to face down one of it's many bosses, and [[NintendoHard die you will]].
204	* ''VideoGame/AeroFighters 3'' has the siren accompanied by the announcer: ''"Hey, you idiot! Make a move, or you will be finished! Show me what you've gooooooooootttttttttttttttt!!"''
205	* ''VideoGame/JetsNGuns'' lacks a siren, but it does have a splash before boss battles.
206	-->'''WARNING!'''\
207	BOSS CLASS ENEMY / [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext FLYING MAUSOLEUM]] / DRUNKEN MASTER OF DELIRIUM AHEAD!
208	* ''VideoGame/ZeroRanger'' features a warning for minibosses and a longer, more dramatic warning for stage bosses. The stage boss warning is also accompanied by some ''Radiant Silvergun''-esque tips on the boss's abilities.
209	* Whenever a boss is encountered in ''VideoGame/SolCresta'', the following message says: "WARNING: A big enemy is approaching at full throttle. There is a huge hostile reaction. Intercept it with a perfect attitude. Ready to fire." It's yellow for mini-bosses while it's red for main bosses.
210	[[/folder]]
211
212	[[folder:Simulation Game]]
213	* ''VideoGame/ProjectWingman'': Every time an elite squadron or an enemy ace pops out at the end of certain Campaign missions (or at the end of every Conquest map), a loud horn accompanied by the words "CAUTION - SQUADRON NAME" with a translucent insignia fills the screen when they spawn. Mostly associated with [[TheAce Crimson Squadron]], the game inverts it during the last phase of the FinalBoss [[spoiler:Crimson 1]]. This time, the words "CAUTION - [[PlayerCharacter …]]" appears, with Monarch’s insignia in the background, meaning YOU have your own Boss Warning Siren.
214	* ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar'': [[WolfpackBoss Enemy ace squadrons]] get their own subtitles and introductory cutscenes when they show up. Your own squadron also gets this at the beginning of the game, [[spoiler:and coincidentally, one of them is the FinalBoss]].
215	* ''{{VideoGame/Plantasia}}'': Black clouds appear on the screen before a ZergRush of pests and/or weeds is about to attack the garden.
216	[[/folder]]
217
218	[[folder:Survival Horror]]
219	* If you [[DugTooDeep dig too deep]] in ''VideoGame/DwarfFortress'', a warning will appear: "[[TheLegionsOfHell Horrifying screams]] come from [[{{Hell}} the darkness below!]]"
220	* In the ''Franchise/SilentHill'' franchise, an air raid siren sounds just before the town shifts from fogbound to otherworld.
221	[[/folder]]
222
223	[[folder:Third-Person Shooter]]
224	* In ''VideoGame/Splatoon3'''s [[MultiMookMelee Salmon]] [[HoldTheLine Run]] mode, a King Salmonid's arrival is heralded by a loud klaxon interrupting a distorted remix of the standard post-game victory jingle, as the word "'''''[[ThisIsGonnaSuck EMERGENCY!]]'''''" flashes onscreen.
225	[[/folder]]
226
227	[[folder:Tower Defense]]
228	* While ''VideoGame/GemCraft: Chasing Shadows'' has MooksButNoBosses, the arrival of an EliteMook (Apparitions, Specters, Shadows, and Spires) is heralded by an ominous black flickering at the edge of the screen; the stronger the flickering, the stronger the mook, and the sooner it will arrive. Later in the game, the flickering will occasionally herald an appearance by [[BigBad The Forgotten]] herself, though she only engages in InterfaceScrew rather than fighting you directly.
229	* ''VideoGame/{{Infinitode}}'': The game displays a red "Boss wave" warning on top of the screen when the boss wave starts.
230	* ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies'': A warning appears for every flag wave, as well as a separate warning for the final wave of a level along with a "thud" sound effect.
231	-->'''A HUGE WAVE OF ZOMBIES IS APPROACHING!'''
232	[[/folder]]
233
234	[[folder:Non-Video Game Examples]]
235	* This is probably the UrExample: In the original version of ''Film/GameOfDeath'': In the second filmed fight, Hapkido master Ji Han Jae switches on a red light and warns Hai Tien and his associates to not progress any further or otherwise he will have to kill them.
236	-->'''Ji Han Jae:''' As you gentlemen know, red means danger. Therefore I advice to you people, not to step into this warning arena. If you want to go on living, stop here, go back downstairs. Life is precious.
237	* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' has curtains opening and a countdown from "5," flashing on the screen before [[EldritchAbomination Walpurgis]][[AllYourPowersCombined nacht]] appears.
238	* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaTheMovieRebellion'' has this during the movie's climax, where a very similar countdown indicates [[spoiler:Homulilly's]] attack. Coupled with BossSubtitles in runes.
239	* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' gives a ShoutOut to ''Darius'', as it seems that the ship Lars and the Off-Colors steal is equipped with an automatic warning system identical to the "Warning" display from ''Darius,'' and Rhodonite, acting as a BridgeBunny, shouts "a huge battleship is approaching fast."
240	* Used regularly in ''Film/KillBill'' when the bride has to [[https://youtu.be/AirzfZN98ds fight a miniboss]]
241	* In ''Literature/NESGodzillaCreepypasta'', the arrival of [[spoiler: the villain/boss Red]] is preceded by ominous drumbeats and a single-word text warning: RUN.
242	* In ''Anime/DigimonAdventure2020'', MonsterOfTheWeek Zanbamon's nightly appearances are preceded by two long blasts on a war horn.
243	* In ''Series/AvataroSentaiDonbrothers'', right before a defeated Hitotsu-Ki grows into their Hitotsu-King form, a siren can be heard.
244	[[/folder]]

Context Main / BossWarningSiren