Today's miniboss has already been covered rather thoroughly by the amazing Chad once before, but that won't stop me from doing a second article about the ridiculous boss fight that ensues. The enemy is a demonic choo-choo train who carries the souls of the departed to the other side. This ain't no "Little Engine That Could," this is more like "The Polar Express" straight to hell. It is, of course, the aptly named Phantom Train.
The Phantom Train is one of the most memorable encounters 16-bit gamers will face. But why is this? Is it because you're fighting a train? Is it because it was so unexpected? Or, maybe, it is because Sabin can somehow suplex the friggin' thing? Personally, it is for all of these reasons and a few others. The lead-up to the boss fight is simple and classic -- you need to fight your way to the front of the train and put the brakes on this runaway train that's never goin' back. Along the way, you'll encounter all sorts of ghosts and ghoulies, and even an imposter swordsman who is almost worthy of his own Miniboss Monday for being so easy.
As you reach the end of the train and are about to bring this thing to a screeching halt, the train itself performs an epic cockblock of sorts, basically saying "You wanna stop me? You gotta fight me first, moron." Well isn't THAT just freakin' great?
(Hit the jump to save a dolphin. Do it for Chad.)
Without a moment's notice, the Phantom Train sounds its whistle like a wrestling bell and it's on like Donkey Kong. Next thing you know, you're running for your life being chased by a train barreling down the tracks with the intent to kill you. Now, as much as this would be a REALLY good time to blast Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell" or Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills," we've got a fight to win and a train to suplex... I mean stop.
Your first time through Final Fantasy VI (or Final Fantasy III for the SNES,) you might have a somewhat tough time with the Phantom Train. But, as most know these days, all you need to do to derail this boss is use a Phoenix Down. That's it. A winner is you! Now, I'm not quite sure if this was ever changed in the two other releases of Final Fantasy VI, but I know it worked for the US release of the SNES version. Go try it if you haven't already done it.
After the fight, you'll be returned to the station once the Phantom Train completes its trip. After this, one of the saddest scenes in the game is shown involving Cyan's recently murdered famiy. But, nevertheless, at least the fight is over and your soul has been spared. Break out the Chex Mix, and throw yourselves a party, this one's in the bag.
That wraps up this week's edition of MBM. If you still haven't got your Phantom Train fill, you'll be happy to know that it makes a cameo appearance in Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls for the GBA. Though the fight is nowhere near as memorable, it's still a welcome addition to a classic title.
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Contest:
11:10 AM on 04.28.2008
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Sabin and Cyan (and Shadow, if he's with them) suddenly get flung off the train, and onto the tracks, when it screeches to a sudden halt. The group gets to their feet slowly, looking back at the train, its light glaring in their faces. Then... the Phantom Train blows its whistle, and slowly begins to move again. The group takes a few steps back... then starts decking it, and as the train gains pace, the boss music starts.
I would cum gallons if I ever saw that happen.
Regardless, awesome stuff. Another example where, for me, FF6 had the perfect amount of steam-punkiness and the other games in the series afterward just got way too high tech.
I remember the first time I played through this game as a kid this part kind of freaked me out. It was sad to see Cyan's family disappear like that after such a gruesome death (I can imagine poison being one of the more slow and torturous deaths). Plus the phantom train was ridiculously long, and you had no magic users. I could have used some cure magic, despite having a decent stock of potions.
It was an interesting side story though.
This game was totally worth the $80 my mom had to spend to buy it for me for Christmas (it's the only thing I got from "Santa" that year, and I was in heaven)
Possible future Mini-Boss: The big giant tub of fat guy you fight in Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones. Did you already cover The Axe and The Sword from the same game? (It took me weeks of trying to beat The Axe and The Sword.)
alot.
But that video is for noobs...yeah the phoenix down trick is too sexy to pass up.