Top 10 Video Game Bonus Stages

Before other ninja games like “Strider” and “Ninja Gaiden” there was “Shinobi.” This sidescroller was known for its challenging gameplay, but what puts it on this list is its challenging bonus game. Ninjas are running and jumping towards you and you must stop them by shooting ninja stars their way. Sounds simple enough, but you’re going to need ninja reflexes since they come at you pretty quickly. This was one of the earliest examples of a good bonus stage done right.

Starting as the second stage and appearing in between every other level, Andy Asteroids has you racing the bounty hunter Psy-Crow through a wormhole where you must dodge meteors. The greatest things about this stage was the change in perspective which had us flying forward instead of the sidescrolling action we were getting used to. And you better be quick because if you don’t beat Psy-Crow in the race you will have to fight him afterwards.

If you’re going to be rescuing the president’s ditzy daughter from a horde of infected villagers, you are going to need excellent gun skills. Luckily for you the mysterious merchant has a shooting range for you to hone your skills. You earn points by shooting the targets shaped like the infected villagers. The better you are, the more prizes and money you can earn. And as much as you may want to, shooting the Ashley target will result in a loss of points.

The second game of the “Donkey Kong Country” series improved upon everything that the first one started, including its bonus stages. In this game there are a variety of bonus rooms each with their own different objectives. One room might have you riding on your Rhinoceros friend to destroy enemies, while another will have you climbing ropes to obtain treasure. Even if grabbing coins isn’t your thing, you’ll want to complete these bonus stages if you hope to unlock the illusive Lost World.

Back in the old arcade days many bonus stages were quick little mini-games that pit you against your friends, and not many are as fun or competitive as the Balloon Pump stage from “The Simpsons Arcade Game.” The premise is simple, you and three others must pump a balloon of your character’s face, and the one who can do it the quickest wins. If you win you also get to float away giving a whole new meaning to face lift.

The next arcade classic on our list, “Mortal Kombat” also featured its own challenging mini game. After every few battles you are called upon to test your might, as the voice says, by breaking through different blocks to earn bonus points. As you succeed in this minigame you upgrade to stronger materials starting from wood and moving all the way to diamond. This minigame has been included later instalments, most notably in “Mortal Kombat X” where the losing player is killed.

When “Super Smash Bros.” it offered a unique approach to fighting games, with each character having their own unique set of moves. To capitalize on this we were given two different stages that tested the abilities of each character. During story mode you encounter these twostages where you must either break targets using the characters attacks or carefully maneuver around so you can board the platforms. The greatest thing about these is that each stage is made different for each character.

It just wouldn’t be a Mario if you weren’t given chances to earn bonus lives and power ups through fun bonus games. In Mario Brothers 3 the Toads give you a couple chances to earn power ups through mini games. In the Spade Panels you have to flip cards that match different symbols and if you match them you earn that power up. In the other bonus game you have to line up three lines each with a part of an item and you must.

Sonic has always been about the need for speed and the bonus stages in “Sonic 2” exemplify this. You are running down a half-pipe at break neck speeds collecting rings while chasing down the ever elusive chaos emeralds. All the while you have to dodge bombs and other hazards. This type of stage has also seen many incarnations throughout the Sonic series offering similar helpings of speed and challenge.
Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few Honorable Mentions.

Bonus Stages
“Space Harrier” (1985)

Token Stages
“Crash Bandicoot” (1996)

Rocket Funland
“LittleBigPlanet 2 (2011)

? Stages
“Crash Bandicoot 2” (1997)

Bonus Stages
“Sunset Riders” (1991)

Abu’s Bonus Round
Aladdin (1992)

Smashing through the other entries is this bonus game where you must cause as much damage to a car as possible. First seen in Final Fight, it was later included in “Street Fighter II” where it gained its iconic status. Like with other great bonus stages, this one can be completed using different characters allowing you to smash this poor unsuspecting car in fun ways, whether that be Ryu and Ken’s Hadouken or any of Chun-Li’s gravity defying kicks.

Do you agree with our list? What are your favorite bonus stages? For more exciting top 10’s published daily, be sure to subscribe to Watch Mojo.com