Top 10 Vehicle Sections In Video Games

In the midst of an investigation into biological weaponry, BSAA operative Chris Redfield and his new partner Sheva are forced to cross through African swamplands by way of airboat. The resulting level is less about intense firefights and more about exploration, as your vessel charges across the murky waters toward locations unknown. The environments transition nicely from traditional wood-built villages to wide-open bodies of water, and there's a subtle foreboding to the entire affair.

The Dynamic Duo ride again – and in style. With the famed criminal Two-Face on the loose, Batman and Robin are called in to track down and apprehend him. The two hop in the iconic Batmobile, and they give chase along the roads of Gotham City. What's interesting here is the tension this level generates – in addition to having to make the right turns and avoid other drivers, there's a timer counting down to mission failure. Plus, when else are we going to get to drive the Batmobile?

Locust beware, for along comes a tank. In the third act of “Gears of War 2”, our heroes Delta Team journey along a lonely road in a Centaur Tank – and end up charging through a not-so-friendly outpost guns-blazing. The tank's natural destructive capabilities pay off nicely, providing a nice cathartic feeling with every shot fired and every enemy sent flying. It's also a quietly beautiful sequence set in a snowy forest, using the game's stark visuals to great effect.

The end is nigh – now put the pedal to the metal. Capping off “Halo: Combat Evolved” is an epic escape by quiet Spartan soldier Master Chief, who commandeers a Warthog military jeep with his AI companion Cortana in tow. The duo plow through countless enemies in an increasingly labyrinthine series of corridors and tunnels, all while orchestal music plays in the background and a six-minute timer counts down to annihilation. If that's not an excellent set-piece to close out your game, we don't know what is.

The mines can be a dangerous place for an ape. Seven levels in, “Donkey Kong Country” decides to place its primate heroes Donkey and Diddy Kong into a minecart and send them through the abandoned Monkey Mines. Broken rails and sudden gaps are exasperated by a conga line of crocodile-like Krashes, charging forward in their own minecarts. It's a healthy dose of action and an effective change from the usual platforming gameplay, but we can't help feeling concerned for the Kongs' safety.

Sometimes insanity can be magnificent. Our lovely magic hair-wielding heroine Bayonetta rides alongside the sage Balder on her friend Leanne's jet, flying to a sacred mountain to save the world. The level grants players control of the jet's movement, Bayonetta firing rockets, and Balder hitting things with his staff – and then the game throws numerous flying, armored angels and demons at you. It's frantic and demands both precision and quick reflexes, but you're rewarded with an incredible flight sequence, a beautiful mountain backdrop, and lots of fun cannon fodder to destroy.

Iconic in film, iconic in game. Based on the 1995 film of the same name, “GoldenEye 007” has James Bond take part in a recreation of the film's most memorable sequence: a chase through the streets of St. Petersburg, with Bond piloting a tank. Unlike the film, however, the game applies a more grim tone to the scene - muted colors dominate the city's buildings, while the music draws inspiration from intense war films. Still it's an engaging and thrilling sequence – and it's morbidly amusing whenever you “accidentally” run over soldiers.

The wrong man in the right place has no trouble with riverboats, apparently. Early in “Half-Life 2”, our theoretical physicist Gordon Freeman climbs aboard an airboat with the intent of reaching a resistance stronghold. Our objective then turns to navigating a series of waterways – all the while dodging floating explosive barrels, gunfire and rockets from the pursuing Combine forces, lots of debris, and highly polluted water. Easing back and forth between relaxed and intense, quiet and loud, this is a boat ride we certainly won't forget.

At once, a classic vehicle section and an iconic example of challenging gameplay. The level in question plays as normal, with the player's chosen Battletoad smacking down enemies and running across the screen – enter the Speeder Bike. Gameplay shifts from beat em up to reflex-based rail section, as your Battletoad must pilot the Bike around barriers and over ramps without crashing. It can be difficult to master the pattern needed to successfully dodge obstacles, but it's worth it for the gratification you feel after completing it.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

The Gummi Ship
“Kingdom Hearts” (2002)

Swoop Racing
“Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” (2003)

Motor Bike Chase
“Tomb Raider: Legend” (2006)

Cliffhanger
“Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (2009)

This game certainly knows how to make a first impression. You are Dash Rendar, a smuggler conveniently on the ice planet Hoth just as it's time to clear out – and who is perfectly willing to fly a spare T-47 Snowspeeder to stall the oncoming Imperial forces. Plot convenience aside, this opening mission is a love letter to fans of The Empire Strikes Back: from the detail put into recreating the film's snowy battlefield, to how good flying the Snowspeeder feels, the care and affection is clear.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite vehicle section? For more epic Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.