10 Worst Possible Alternative Video Game Endings
2. Shenmue - An Actual Ending
For the better part of the past two decades, Shenmue fans have been eagerly awaiting the outcome of Ryo's story of vengeance. Turns out there was a secret alternative ending in the first game that actually provided closure this whole time.
If you somehow manage to make it months and months through the game without completing it, you'll trigger Shenmue's bad ending. The game begins on 29 November 1986, and if Ryo stays in Yokosuka until 15 April 1987, then he will travel back to his family dojo to find the evil Lan Di beating up his friend Fuku-san.
Lan Di reveals that he knows of the second Phoenix Mirror in Ryo's possession, and demands it. When Ryo refuses, the two prepare to fight, but Ryo is beaten instantly, by the same move that Lan Di killed Ryo's father with.
I didn't say it was good closure.
In a way, at least it was somewhat of an ending to the story, which is more than we've gotten in the past 18 years. However it was pretty difficult to get, even more difficult than the usual 'to be continued' canon ending. It basically required you to do absolutely nothing, neglect your quest for revenge, ignore your kidnapped girlfriend, and loaf around in the arcade for months.
Doesn't sound so bad, actually.