The most challenging or impossible checkpoints

[Shocky]

(I branched this from the Checkpoints in shmups: love ‘em or hate ‘em? -thread.)

The idea is to identify checkpoints which seem to be impossible to recover from (usually because of losing all power-ups) and then people can try to beat them. Here are some:

I really meant dying on the last section of Gradius II (PCB) - the bit where the walls crumble and bum-rush you....BADLY! If you can recover from THAT checkpoint, I'll admit you're right .

Now can someone tell me if it's possible to come back from the checkpoint in the middle of stage 7 in the SECOND loop of R-Type? Because I find that hard to believe. It's pretty hard in the first loop, and I have never managed it in the second.

Silly me , I forgot a checkpoint that I don't know how to recover from --> The start of the Stage 9 ever on Konami's Lightning Fighters.

Another one would be Image Fight's Penalty stage.

I'll start testing with Image Fight and Gradius II...

[BBH]

Now can someone tell me if it's possible to come back from the checkpoint in the middle of stage 7 in the SECOND loop of R-Type? Because I find that hard to believe. It's pretty hard in the first loop, and I have never managed it in the second.

This gets my vote. I spent something like 40 credits on this a while back in MAME but still couldn't do it. What were they thinking?

[theevilfunkster]

I really meant dying on the last section of Gradius II (PCB) - the bit where the walls crumble and bum-rush you....BADLY! If you can recover from THAT checkpoint, I'll admit you're right .

There's the reason why I've never seen the end of Gradius II I could spend all day credit feeding that bit and still not get any further.

[Icarus]

Any checkpoint in the second loop of Image Fight is a pain, but doable if you have the correct weapon strategy.
I should really play that game again...

Also, Progear's second loop, around 2-3 or higher.

[SFKhoa]

Any checkpoint in the second loop of Image Fight is a pain, but doable if you have the correct weapon strategy.
I should really play that game again...

Also, Progear's second loop, around 2-3 or higher.

But isn't it instant respawn for Progear?

[BIL]

x

[Icarus]

But isn't it instant respawn for Progear?

Not in the second loop.

[RotateMe]

But isn't it instant respawn for Progear?

Not in the second loop.

w00t!?

But why is it THIS hard, is weapon power this important in the second loop? It didn't feel like it in the first loop but I didn't get to the final boss.

[it290]

I've always considered Tatsujin II to have some of the most cruel and unforgiving checkpoints in shmup history.

[stuminator]

Now can someone tell me if it's possible to come back from the checkpoint in the middle of stage 7 in the SECOND loop of R-Type? Because I find that hard to believe. It's pretty hard in the first loop, and I have never managed it in the second.

This is what I immediately thought of when I saw the topic title. I've yet to see stage 7 in the second loop, but in trying to get through 1-7, it takes me either one life or 30+.