3. Beating The Elite 4 - Pokemon Series
NintendoFrom raging adrenaline and military precision, to something quieter and much more powerful. It is said that the earthquakes you feel do little damage, but the ones that are silent fell cities. This moment is a quiet earthquake. Defeating the elite four for the first time is a moment that doesn't stick with you as many others have up to this point, it is not a moment that causes huge amounts of emotional impact. In fact, it is relatively tame indeed. The reason defeating Pokemon's ultimate contenders is on this list, and so highly rated, is that defeating your rival, the final foe you face with your team of carefully chosen and raised Pokemon, is a relief. It is as simple as that, it is a relief. Without quite knowing how or when, you find you have been carrying a tension with you. A weight, that you are not the very best, that you will not catch them all. A weight that there are people better than you, and as you grow up you are quickly assured that there are. This game does not help, as you are thwarted at every turn - even when you win battle after battle - by your childhood rival. He is better than you, he defeated the elite four before you. And then you defeat him. Everything changes. He admits defeat, you are the champion, the world is brought to rights as you take your place after hundreds of hours of hard graft staring at the back of Pikachu's head. You are shown your winning team after the defeat of your rival. Full, coloured models now, simple sprites then, but the effect is the same. You, and your team have won the championship. You have lived the end of The Karate Kid, and it is a magnificent feeling!