History Awesome / VideoGameLevels

[[folder:JakAndDaxter]]
* The third ''JakAndDaxter'' game features a level containing absurd quantities of win and awesome, which ''isn't even the end battle''. It's the one in which you are basically given a gunship (''[[TookALevelInBadass VASTLY]]'' [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap improved from its appearances in the previous game]]) with unlimited ammunition and a regenerating supply of smart missiles, and set loose on a flying war factory. By yourself. Waftching a smart bomb explosion significantly bigger than your own ship while spamming ammunition at tanks, defensive structures, and flying KG drones, ''solo''? Sign me up.
** The Dark Maker assault on Spargas City. Unlike the Metal Head/KG Bot attacks in Haven City, ''everyone'' in the Wasteland is armed, and they're [[FightingForSurvival fighting back]]. The Dark Makers have shields, and even ''they're'' not helping much.
** Also, the mission where you have to run from location to location killing KG bots and Metal Heads with the Blaster, while picking up weapons. It may rip off your ammo something shocking, but killing hundreds of {{Mooks}} almost single-handed, with a sudden tidal wave of Freedom League {{Red Shirt}}s turning up at the end to help you out against a Blast Bot. Or the time you take over a Blast Bot and march it through the city by remote control. Or doing the same with a Dark Maker version of the Atlas mech. Or Daxter riding a missile. Or...y'know what, half the game.
** For me, I will never, ever tire of the Tomb of Mar level in ''Jak II''. It is a defining moment in the game and a pure example of excellent good ol' fashion platforming.
** How about the final sequence where you're chasing the Dark Maker walker? The music, the ongoing storm, bringing down that hulking machine with your machine-gun armed dune buggy...just an ''awesome'' chase sequence to get you pumped for the final boss.
* Snowy Mountain in Jak 1.It is a big,beatiful area with a lot to explore.Running up a hill while avoiding huge snowballs?Exploring icy caves?Jumping and flying through canyons?Discover the fort and jump your way around it?A breathtaking view from above?Snowy Mountain has it all.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:CommandAndConquer]]
* ''CommandAndConquer3:'' GDI Campaign Stuttgart: The [[ScaryDogmaticAliens Scrin]] have just royally curbstomped GDI territory; the entire city is falling apart and the GDI presence is decimated. At the start, all you have at your command is [[OneManArmy Lt. Fullerton]], and you're tasked with reorganizing your scattered troops, rebuilding a defense, and kicking some alien ass.
** Nod Campaign Ayer's Rock: Kane is back, and he's pissed. Starting with four squishy engineers and a [[GiantRobot Fully Upgraded Avatar]], you have to take over a Nod base run by an alleged traitor, then deal with GDI.
* ''RedAlert3:'' Rising Sun Campaign features the levels where you get the giant walker that literally stomps all over the Soviets. Turns every level that features it into a CurbStompBattle.
* ''RedAlert2: Yuri's Revenge'' expansion features three notable ones for the Soviets, including one where you get to use Tanya and Boris together to beat one of Yuir's bases.
** Then you get the level on the moon where you get to use jetpack soldiers that carry lasers, and modified tanks on the moon's surface.
** In the final campaign, you face off against mind-controlled Allied and Soviet bases deep in the heart of Trannsylvania, then finish Yuri, who is living in Dracula's Castle.
[[/folder]]

* There are a lot of MetalGearSolid4 areas, but my personal favorite has to be the motorcycle sequence. Going through the streets of Eastern Europe with that AWESOME soundtrack going always puts chills in my spine.
* "Mine Cart Madness" is one of the best known and most loved levels of ''DonkeyKongCountry''. Of course, ''all'' of DKC's levels are awesome. Especially because of the AwesomeMusic.
* The roller coaster levels in ''DonkeyKongCountry 2''.
** The mine levels are pretty awesome too.
** Any DonkeyKongCountry 2 level with [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome Stickerbush Symphony]] as the BGM.
*** YourMileageMayVary on that one - many people consider the bramble levels themselves to be {{ThatOneLevel}}/{{ScrappyLevel}}s in terms of gameplay, despite the excellent music.
* DonkeyKong64's Hideout Helm qualifies. It's the final dungeon. Your mission is to disarm the superweapon that's been pointing at your island for the entire game. You'll need every single one of your party members (and their special abilities) to do it. [[TimedMission Your main opponent is a timer that ticks down whenever you aren't in the pause menu.]] Disarming it entails completing specific minigames that you can't find anywhere else, including one involving Rambi. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGvJ8GFzVM And the music is completely appropriate.]]

* The "Sidecar" sequence in ''MetalGear Solid 3''. It's a marathon slog of escalating awesomeness with adrenaline-raising music.
** Or just the jeep escape in the original. The Metal Gear theme kicks in, in all it's awesomeness.
** Or storming the Guts of Arsenal in 2. Right after the [[WarringWithoutWeapons naked section]], you get all of your equipment back, ''plus a sword,'' and you get to slice and dice your way through an army of ninjas with Snake at your side. Oh, and FissionMailed.

* Alden's Tower in Infamous. A huge, collosal structure that dominates the landscape, with Cole and Zeke fighting their way to the top whilst you climb to dangerous jumps. And then there's a battle at the top with the big cheeses of Empire City fighting for the Ray Sphere...good times.

** Also, the level ''Heat.'' It opens up with one of the most badass ambushes ever, followed by the SAS gradually falling back in the face a tremendous push by what feels like half the Ultranationalist army, with the Brits alternately using mines, [=RPGs=], a Javelin, and even a salvaged [[GatlingGood chaingun]] to delay the Ultranationalists all the way to the top of the hill....and then they find out their pickup is going to have to land at the ''bottom'' of the hill ''that you[='=]d just conceded to the enemy''. Cue a mad dash supported by United States Marine Corps Harriers dropping cluster bombs left, right, and center while the SAS charge down the hill, fighting off dozens of Ultranationalist rebels coming at them from every direction. ''Pure'' adrenaline.

*** ''[[http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=15238 Deus Vult II]]'' has been called [[http://www.doomworld.com/15years/best1.php "the best WAD ever made."]] Including levels inspired by ''IndianaJones'' and ''TheMummy'', ''{{Stargate}}'' (sort of), Chuck Norris, Japan, and two levels based on ''LordOfTheRings'' ("Minas Morgul" and "You Shall Not Pass!"), it has some of the most diverse and stunning architecture to be seen in a video game, as well as ludicrously balanced gameplay. The amount of planning and work put into it is truly astonishing; it may truly have ''the'' best level design of any video game.
*** Map 29, "Ticket to Eternity", of the megawad ''[[http://www.doomworld.com/idgames/index.php?id=15550 Plutonia 2]]''. A ''huge'' level, with over 500 monsters (at least, on Ultra-Violence) allowing for a few fantastic instances of [[SetAMookToKillAMook monster infighting]], and an utterly nonlinear design allowing you to hunt for the three keys you need to reach the exit individually. Throughout the level, there are also five ''very'' well-hidden alcoves, each containing a hung CommanderKeen, not listed as actual secrets, and neither is [[spoiler:the DevelopersRoom you can reach only after finding all five of them, opening a gate close to the beginning of the level]]. Even exploring the stage with noclip after beating it gives a fantastic feeling, seeing every little nook and cranny that was put in. An absolute CrowningMomentOfAwesome of stage design.

*** ''Deus Vult II'' has been called [[http://www.doomworld.com/15years/best1.php "the best WAD ever made."]] Including levels inspired by ''IndianaJones'' and ''TheMummy'', ''{{Stargate}}'' (sort of), Chuck Norris, Japan, and two levels based on ''LordOfTheRings'' ("Minas Morgul" and "You Shall Not Pass!"), it has some of the most diverse and stunning architecture to be seen in a video game, as well as ludicrously balanced gameplay. The amount of planning and work put into it is truly astonishing; it may truly have ''the'' best level design of any video game.
*** Map 29, "Ticket to Eternity", of the megawad ''Plutonia 2''. A ''huge'' level, with over 500 monsters (at least, on Ultra-Violence) allowing for a few fantastic instances of [[SetAMookToKillAMook monster infighting]], and an utterly nonlinear design allowing you to hunt for the three keys you need to reach the exit individually. Throughout the level, there are also five ''very'' well-hidden alcoves, each containing a hung CommanderKeen, not listed as actual secrets, and neither is [[spoiler:the DevelopersRoom you can reach only after finding all five of them, opening a gate close to the beginning of the level]]. Even exploring the stage with noclip after beating it gives a fantastic feeling, seeing every little nook and cranny that was put in. An absolute CrowningMomentOfAwesome of stage design.

* Speaking of DonkeyKong, DonkeyKong64's Hideout Helm qualifies. It's the final dungeon. Your mission is to disarm the superweapon that's been pointing at your island for the entire game. You'll need every single one of your party members (and their special abilities) to do it. [[TimedMission Your main opponent is a timer that ticks down whenever you aren't in the pause menu.]] Disarming it entails completing specific minigames that you can't find anywhere else, including one involving Rambi. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGvJ8GFzVM And the music is completely appropriate.]]

** Not to be outdone by Episode 2 Map 9, where you start out surrounded by Barons of Hell, then escape out the only door only to be ambushed by dozens of cacodemons. Then you watch the monsters wipe each other out trying to get to you.
** Map 29, Ticket to Eternity, of the megawad ''Plutonia 2''. A ''huge'' level, with over 500 monsters (at least, on Ultra-Violence) allowing for a few fantastic instances of [[SetAMookToKillAMook monster infighting]], and an utterly nonlinear design allowing you to hunt for the three keys you need to reach the exit individually. Throughout the level, there are also five ''very'' well-hidden alcoves, each containing a hung CommanderKeen, not listed as actual secrets, and neither is [[spoiler:the DevelopersRoom you can reach only after finding all five of them, opening a gate close to the beginning of the level]]. Even exploring the stage with noclip after beating it gives a fantastic feeling, seeing every little nook and cranny that was put in. An absolute CrowningMomentOfAwesome of stage design.
** Speaking of awesome stage design, the megawad ''Deus Vult II'' contains some incredibly beautiful and action-packed stages, including a recreation of Minas Morgul from the ''Lord of the Rings'' movie. Another stage pays tribute to the Balrog chase in the first film, and there are stages themed after ''Stargate'', ''The Mummy'', and Chuck Norris among other things, which are only made even more awesome by the music in the "DVII-1u.wad" version. The final stage takes place in a massive cathedral with portraits of various video game villains lining the walls, including Bowser, Wario, and Kerrigan from Starcraft 2. The difficulty is insane and the monster mobs can reach densities that would make Gauntlet players drop their jaws, but those who are up to the challenge won't be disappointed.

''Best. Level. EVER.''

* ''SuperMarioLand'''s Submarine and Airplane Stages. UnexpectedGameplayChange to a shoot-em-up? Yes. However, this is surprisingly done well to the point that they become the two most enjoyable levels in the game, and the peppy music helps too.

* Valve's Portal has experiment room 16 with the most sighted-turrets of any other, allowing for ridiculous levels of inginuity about how to knock them down.
** Once, that level was viewed as a ScrappyLevel. But if you figure out the shortcut and the trick to aiming it becomes loads of fun for the trials you can avoid.

* Several levels from the ''AceCombat'' series should be mentioned here, for example, The Liberation of Gracemeria from ''Ace Combat 6'', taking back your capital city, with all your pilot, tank and navy buddies, all while the * BEST* track plays in the background? Heck yes.
** You're forgetting Weapons Of Mass Destruction. The level starts with you and your wingman flying through a valley to avoid radar detection, taking out all the enemy outposts to prevent alerts from being sent out. You get to the enemy convoy, dispose of it, and receive orders to exit the combat area. As you attempt to escape, more and more planes appear from your rear to try and take you out, and you keep trying to outrun them to make it to the zone line... Which abruptly vanishes as a literal fleet of planes materialize in front of you, cutting off your escape. The next few minutes are spent futilely dodging missiles from no less than fifty enemy planes, unable to lock on to any one of them long enough to get a shot off due to the unending missile barrage. Finally, when the situation seems hopeless, ''every damn plane'' you have ever worked with over the entire game shows up in a BigDamnHeroes moment, your ally command bar fills to the max, and the biggest and most epic free for all dogfight ever witnessed in Ace Combat history commences.

*** Hey, have we really gone this long without mentioning the revamped awesome ending of Broken Steel? [[spoiler: So you're in an abandoned air field, with a kick ass Tesla Cannon blowing crap up. If you've been hoarding a lot of ammo throughout your travels, specifically the ammo that powers the Tesla cannon, you can essentially go through this section firing off shot after shot and disintegrating Enclaves soldiers en masse. Sure, no robots helping you out, but at least this time you're effectively leading the assault. But it get better after you scramble inside the Enclave's mobile home base. Lots of Enclave soldiers in here and and if you're high level its pretty much a gore fest. When you get to the mainframe, if you have the Robotics Expert Perk, you can pretty much turn the Enclave Robots on their masters and have them help you take the base. Then, at the end of it all, as long as you're playing good, you can essentially drop the Enclave's own bombs on their base and watch the thing explode with Sarah Lyons from a safe distance. After what they did to Liberty Prime, its a fitting punishment for the bastards and makes one want to say "That was for Prime."]] Of course in the traditional game one can't leave out the cool gun fight you can start up in Paradise Falls against the slavers. Its very visceral and since everybody is armed with some powerful weapons it makes for an exciting fight. There is, of course, an added bonus though if you head into the fight using Lincoln's Repeater to blast them all away. Consider it your very own Emancipation Proclamation.

* No mention of Fallout 1's [[StormingTheCastle assaults on either the Cathedral or the Military Base]] if you opt for the guns blazing method?

* All this talk of {{Foe Tossing Charge}}s and {{Boss Rush}}es, and all-around hardness, but no mention of Seisen no Keifu's (Genealogy of the Holy War, aka: [=FE4=]) "Final Holy War"? So, you've fought your way all the way back to Calphy, where it all started, and avenged the game's first main character... but wait, that cute girl has gone missing and said first main character's spirit appeared and told you "It's not over". Cue this chapter: It starts by having to: Not kill your own unit (she's [[BrainwashedAndCrazy possessed]] by [[CompleteMonster Manfroy]]'s evil magic and is key to killing the FinalBoss (note: She tries to kill you for a huge chunk of this mission), killing the Final Boss's [[ThatOneBoss lover]] (who's wielding one of the game's [[InfinityPlusOneSword most powerful weapons]], and has a [[DemonicSpider Bolting]] as well for kicks), killing off 2 {{Complete Monster}}s after that (Including that ChessMaster [[BigBad who plotted the entire ordeal in the first place]], [[KickTheDog and is number 1 in "Let's play: Feed the kids to the Dragon"]]) (Both of which are incredibly powerful bosses), then turning around to get your unit back (possibly only to find that you can't (For certain reasons)) [[BossRush then taking on 12 Max level, near max stats Bosses, AT ONCE]], then the final showdown with the final boss himself, who unless faced by his sister and her [[InfinityPlusOneSword Infinity Plus 20 Tome]], Naga, will halve your stats when engaged (and he has Vantage/Wrath, [[TurnsRed so once he's below 40HP, he's nearly unstoppable]].) Epic indeed.

* Uhh, let's think. My favourite Zelda games have to be the two ''Oracle'' games...for ''Oracle of Seasons'' either the run up to the horribly [[ScrappyLevel scrappy]] Ancient Ruins (aka ''Tarm Ruins'', lots of fun playing with the seasons) or for ''Oracle of Ages'', the Skull Dungeon.
* No mention of ''either'' the Savage Labyrinth (''Wind Waker''), ''or'' the Cave of Ordeals (''Twilight Princess'')? They're massive {{Multi Mook Melee}}s that are consistently considered a greater challenge than the FinalBoss fights. Both end with fights against ''three'' of the game's resident BossInMookClothing, Darknuts/Iron Knuckles, which will challenge your application of your special moves and items. (Heaven help you if you didn't spend the time to learn the [[SingleStrokeBattle Mortal Draw]].)

* Really? No mention yet of Koopa Kape, the single best track in the history of Mario Kart?

* Any level that plays around with the gravity. This includes Sonic 3's "Carnival Night Zone" (Barrel of Doom be damned), Sonic & Knuckles' "Death Egg Zone" (not to be confused with the Sonic 2 level of the same name), and Sonic Adventure 2's "Crazy Gadget".
** All that and no mention of Sonic Advance 3's [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome Cyber Track Zone]]?

** Bomb-Omb Battlefield was a beautiful first impression with that cool mountain,the Chain Chomps place.This should've been the Throwback Galaxy.That and [[IncrediblyLamePun Snowman's Land]]

** Except maybe for the goddamn ''[[ScrappyLevel Over The Rainbow]]'' star.
** The best one is the final one, outside the castle. You shoot yourself out of the cannon into the floating "?" box... and you just ''fly''. And it's ''[[SceneryPorn gorgeous]]''.
** My favorites were actually the "Bowser in the..." stages. The default (and pretty much only sane) camera angle and heavy emphasis on platforming made it a fun throwback to the classic Mario games, and it has arguably the best musical piece in the game.

** Chief Chilly Challenge. It has the slides, the platforming and the whole place is focused around Luigi! And how has the awesome ShiftingSandLand not been mentioned? Doesn't anyone remember the [[spoiler: [[NotSoFastBucko top of the fricking pyramid coming off?]]]]

** Why has no one mentioned the CrowningMusicofAwesome level that is Noki Bay with those gorgeous cliff sides and awesome boss battles

*** Only the "freeze" portions? No. The Lava Core Planet is beautiful and the Mission "Freezeflame's Blistering Core" feels like a great, classic adventure.

** [[{{Tropers/Blueeyedrat}} This Troper]] would like to nominate [[DownTheDrain Slimy Spring Galaxy]]. The ambience is amazing, it can be fun but challenging[[hottip:*:Keep going, or you might run out of air]], and the sunset seen at the end of the level is just SceneryPorn incarnate. [[spoiler:Toad Captain nonwithstanding.]]

** [[TwoWordsObviousTrope Two Words:]] [[spoiler:[[VideoGame/SuperMario64 Throwback]] [[NostalgiaLevel Galaxy]]. The Whomp King even says his lines from 64 word-for-word!]]

** While a lot of people say 8-1 is a ScrappyLevel with all of its obstacles, it was a huge adrenaline rush for this Troper to charge headlong into the fray without stopping to beat the level and collect all of the Star Coins on the first try. Not only that but the level itself is very reminiscent of the many similar levels found in the Genesis platformer, ''Kid Chameleon,'' complete with AdvancingWallOfDoom.

** Oh Come on, if one level sticks out as Crowning Level of Awesome its gotta be War! Coming across the Tediz discussing the game over cigarettes, getting a frigging tank and using it to fight a giant mechanical one of the Tediz, who you kill by shooting rockets up his ass, the laserbeams, and even hearding the exploding imps over in the beginning of the level. And of course, Conker, with twin machine guns, and a cigar.
*** No love for Heist? As soon as you saw the trenchcoats, you knew this was gonna be fun.

** What, no mention of the Robo-Wings? They alone made Sargasso and Kortog my favorite levels.

** No mention of the Arreat Summit? Though, more generally, this troper would like to nominate basically the entirety of Act V as a crowning level of awesome... even before considering the region's {{crowning music of awesome}}.

* No mention of BaldursGate yet? It really is quite impressive how many cool segments it has. The assualt on the Vampire Lair, Firkraag's Dungeon, and the most impressive of them all... Watcher's Keep itself. (That dungeon is larger than some games!) The Shadow Dungeon is atmospheric, nasty and contains an awesome optional boss.

** Pretty much the entirety of Rockman Gray Zone
*** Heatman's stage, a sparkling nighttime cityscape with an NES version of {{Mario Kart}} 64's Rainbow Road for BGM and an extensive underwater section

* Glitzville in [[PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor Paper Mario: TTYD]] was definitely one of the highlights of the game.

* In ''FinalFantasyVII'', the whole [[StormingTheCastle Shinra tower level]]. You get to raid the enemy HQ, fighting through the security floor by floor [[LeeroyJenkins (assuming you chose not to sneak in),]] pick up a crapload of new useful weapons and materia as well as Red XIII, and you get to see Red XIII maul Hojo and then fight one of Hojo's monsters in the first of 4 awesome boss fights. On the way out you're captured by the Turks and locked up. Everyone talks for a bit then falls asleep. When you wake up the door is unlocked and you find everyone in the place has been slaughtered. You follow a blood trail to the top floor in one of the creepiest bits of the game. When you reach the top you find the Shinra president impaled on Sephiroth's sword. Then the president's son shows up and proclaims himself the new boss of Shinra. Then your party splits up for two more bosses: Barret, Aeris and Reed XIII take on the awesome but super hard Hundred-Gunner while Cloud goes head to head with Rufus. Then they all meet up again and steal a truck and a bike in an awesome CGI sequence and then comes one of the best mini games ever: Driving at breakneck speed down the freeway with Shinra troops in pursuit and you have to protect the truck as Cloud. On the bike. by slashing Shinra troops off their bikes with the buster sword. And this game determines how much health you have going into the next boss fight which starts immediately after against the Motor-Ball. And when you win you get to leave Midgar and explore the world properly.
** How about when the party returns to Midgar for the last time? The entire section of that game sent waves of goosebumps up this Troper's arms and neck as the party comes back to more or less finish what they started the game doing; destroying Shinra for good. Something about knowing the truth about Shinra and all the atrocities they committed made systematically taking down their hierarchy and eventually killing Hojo, the game's [[CompleteMonster biggest monster]], made the collapse of Shinra so so rewarding.

* ''CommandAndConquer 3: Tiberium Wars''. Stuttgart. The [[ScaryDogmaticAliens Scrin]] have just royally curbstomped GDI territory; the entire city is falling apart and the GDI presence is decimated. At the start, all you have at your command is [[OneManArmy Lt. Fullerton]], and you're tasked with reorganizing your scattered troops, rebuilding a defense, and kicking some alien ass. And for Nod, Ayer's Rock. Kane is back, and he's pissed. Starting with four squishy engineers and a [[GiantRobot Fully Upgraded Avatar]], you have to take over a Nod base run by an alleged traitor, then deal with GDI.

* Any of the "Secret of..." levels in ''SuperMarioSunshine''. Pure 3D platforming bliss. The music alone justifies putting these levels here.

** Also MK 64 has Royal Raceway with its SuperMario64 homage with the castle

** [[TwoWordsObviousTrope Two Words:]] [[spoiler:[[SuperMario64 Throwback]] [[NostalgiaLevel Galaxy]]. The Whomp King even says his lines from 64 word-for-word!]]

* Speaking of DonkeyKong, {{DonkeyKong64}}'s Hideout Helm qualifies. It's the final dungeon. Your mission is to disarm the superweapon that's been pointing at your island for the entire game. You'll need every single one of your party members (and their special abilities) to do it. [[TimedMission Your main opponent is a timer that ticks down whenever you aren't in the pause menu.]] Disarming it entails completing specific minigames that you can't find anywhere else, including one involving Rambi. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGvJ8GFzVM And the music is completely appropriate.]]

* Glitzville in Paper Mario: TTYD was definitely one of the highlights of the game.

** What about the Phantom Train? The music here is one of the best as well, and culminates with perhaps ''the'' biggest example of RefugeInAudacity. Sabin can ''[[{{Badass}} suplex a friggin' train]]!''

* Death Mountain in the original. You finally enter, and this [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYgzcclKBy4 creepy new music]] starts playing, as you proceed into by far the least linear level in the game.