I was 16, stubborn, and my Huckebein Mk-III was getting slaughtered by the Ideon’s inevitable rampage. I entered the code.

The first few turns were glorious. My Evangelion Unit-01 went berserk on my command, tearing through a wave of Baran Dobans like wet paper. No retaliation. No enemy phase. Just a beautiful, silent void after each of my units moved.

For most players of Dai-3-ji Super Robot Taisen Alpha , this sounded like paradise. A chance to finally max out the Banpreios, to let Genesic GaoGaiGar smash every Zyubachan into space dust without ever taking a counterattack. A way to solo the 60+ stage saga with your favorite mecha.

"YOU ARE THE FINAL BOSS."

I watched in horror as Amuro Ray’s Hi-Nu Gundam carved a bloody path through the Shin Getter Robo. As the Sizzler Blacke crashed into the Nadesico. As the Ideon, its meter now permanently red, detonated the entire galaxy—including itself.

Then I got to Stage 44: "The Distant Bell of the End."