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A 'Boss Rush' is a succession of bosses defeated in the earlier parts of a video game. The "rush" can be included in a single stage or parts of stages near the end of the game, usually directly before the last boss. Some games have 'boss rush' as a necessary part; while in some it acts as an extra challenge, or both.

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Role in game design

Boss Rush mode

Role in game design

The gathering of the bosses increases the difficulty of the stage(s), as strong opponents are battled in succession, often without a pause to rest or regain expended resources. A boss rush often signals the imminent conclusion of the game and a recapitulation of challenges overcome, as well as preparation for the strongest and final adversary. In some games, the boss rush is the tougher endgame challenge; the final boss itself may come as an anticlimax.
Sometimes the siege of bosses serves to remind the player of the abilities and skills they or their character has gained while playing the game; a boss which was a significant obstacle early on may fall rapidly to the more experienced player or more powerful character. This is particularly notable in role playing games and the Mega Man series, where the powers gained through the course of the game can make earlier bosses individually much easier.
Although the term "rush" suggests that the player needs to beat the bosses as quickly as possible, a boss rush is not necessarily a time attack challenge. Some games do include a timed boss rush mode as an unlockable extra after completing the game.

Boss Rush mode

The term "Boss Rush mode" is used to describe an extra feature in videogames where players battle all bosses within a game in succession. In addition to skipping all levels and cinematics between each boss battle, a boss rush mode typically forces some other limitation on the player (such as a timed countdown, limited weaponry or one life bar throughout all the battles).
Examples of videogames that include a "Boss Rush mode" are:
, displaying its Boss Rush mode option]]

★ ''Sexy Parodius'' (PlayStation, PlayStation Portable, Arcade)

★ ''Metal Gear Solid'' (PlayStation)

★ ''Rez'' (PlayStation 2, Sega Dreamcast)

★ ''Kirby's Adventure'' (Nintendo Entertainment System)

★ ''Kirby Super Star'' (Super Nintendo)

★ ''Kirby and the Amazing Mirror'' (Game Boy Advance)

★ ''Gradius III'' (Super Nintendo)

★ ''Actraiser'' (Super Nintendo)

★ '' (PC, PlayStation 2)

★ ''Ristar'' (Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis)

★ ''Kirby 64'' (Nintendo 64)

★ '' (Xbox, PlayStation 2)

★ ''Viewtiful Joe'' (Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2)

★ ''Sonic Adventure 2'' (Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo GameCube)

★ ''Sonic Advance 2'' (Game Boy Advance)

★ ''Lunar Knights'' (Nintendo DS)

★ Many Castlevania games:

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★ '' (Game Boy Advance),

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★ '' (PlayStation 2),

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★ '' (PlayStation 2),

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★ '' (Game Boy Advance),

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★ '' (Nintendo DS)

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★ '' (Nintendo DS)