10 Awesome Video Game Levels That Ended Painfully Soon

Using the Winged Cap to fly around in Super Mario 64 was one of the biggest highlights in the iconic platformer. 

Having said that, the flying mechanics in Super Mario Galaxy are far superior. In the Gateway Galaxy, the Italian plumber can obtain a Red Star, turning him into Flying Mario. 

The level contains no enemies or puzzles, and can be completed simply by collecting 100 Purple Coins, many of which are airborne. The task is simple, but it's a joy to perform thanks to the uplifting music, the precision of the controls, and level of freedom players are offered.

Though the Winged Cap required a triple jump to fly, all you have to do to activate Flying Mario is wiggle the controller, making it easier than ever to soar through the heavens. Since Super Mario Galaxy revolves around the star-collecting hero traversing across the universe, this power-up fits in perfectly with the gameplay. 

Which is why it's annoying how Flying Mario can only be activated in the Gateway Galaxy. What's worse is Mario can complete the level in under ten minutes. 

Even though Super Mario Galaxy has plenty of fantastic power-ups, Flying Mario is the most enjoyable, so it's puzzling why it features one time and is absent from the sequel altogether. For this reason, players may be incentivised to repeatedly return to the Gateway Galaxy, just to sail across the cosmos again and again.