What is the darkest ending in video game history?

It’s not as obvious as you might think, you know. Matt Belinkie over at Overthinking It has the answer- Double Dragon. Maybe the game is a little outdated, but the arcade version’s ending has a long-reaching effect. After reading the (well written) column, I’m convinced. We may well never again see a game which forces you to betray your loyal team-mate and above all, brother at the final step, simply down to ease of programming. Maybe in Gears of War 3, when you’re forced to mow down your trusty team, or in the next Pokémon, where to progress to the end you must slaughter all of your party in a sacrifice to the gods, we will see a similar situation, but the sheer doom faced at the moment where the words “Let’s Fight: 1Player vs. 2Player” are displayed will never be matched. Go read the article, all will become clear.

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  • Cadillac

    Sam, You have turned the tables on me. Remember about a month or so ago when the news broke about the guy escaping from prison in the back of the truck? Remember how I was a big spoiler because I pretty much gave away the ending to Shawshank? Well, I never did finish Double Dragon, but at least now I know how it ends.
    Thanks you big——————————
    SPOILER!!!! Just joking.

  • Sam Naylor

    Darth Vader is Luke’s father!

    I just can’t help it, man!

  • Cadillac

    Now, that’s just wrong. I was going to watch that there Stars War movie one of these days but screw it now. We were even, now you’re up 1.

  • Jonathan Zungre

    haha, sam i wholeheartedly agree. fun article.

  • Sam Naylor

    @Cadillac:

    How did you know the characters were from Star Wars? I was actually referencing a little known indie flick featuring those characters.

  • Gunny Highway

    Man, I spent many a quarter on this game. I even bought the XBox Live version.

    One of my favorite games. I will never forget the end when Player 1 had to fight Player 2. It just so happen I was going against my real brother. I wiped the floor with him with elbow shots.

    When it was over, he punched me in the kidney. Good times.