Circular shaped boss arena

[Ikagura Ikagura]

I'm wondering why it was quite popular to see a ring shaped level for bosses in the late 90's to mid-00's then they've stopped

Even non platformers got some (like some ARPG such as Ys Origins)

 

[CheesyExplosive]

2D movement left and right that's why.

 

[RestoredaftrLostv2]

Limited spacing...

Yoshi's Island did it great with the moon fight.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

2D movement left and right that's why.

And no camera issues since the boss is always in the center.

Limited spacing...

Yoshi's Island did it great with the moon fight.

Like an early Mario Galaxy.

 

[Yousef Yousef]

I'm wondering why it was quite popular to see a ring shaped level for bosses in the late 90's to mid-00's then they've stopped
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Even non platformers got some (like some ARPG such as Ys Origins)
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They can be quite fun. I assume they were just easier to design, or give some illusion of 3D in games that didn’t let you interact with the Z-axis in any way.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

They can be quite fun. I assume they were just easier to design, or give some illusion of 3D in games that didn’t let you interact with the Z-axis in any way.

I've just noticed that two of the examples are from 2.5D platformers, this may be their compromise for their lack of a z-axis.

The other two are fully 3D but it's hard to keep the boss in line while fighting. Either doing that or making the camera top down for them.

Fully 3D without a lock on for the boss could be more of a hassle.