History Main / IndyEscape

* The cave level of ''Out of This World'' has you run from a wall of water that you unleash to flood the cave so you can progress later.

** The original spoofed this trope, along with many other action game staples, in the game that served as the final boss.
** A framing device for the [[WarmUpBoss introductory level]] to ''[=WarioWare=]: Smooth Moves'' has Wario outrunning a giant boulder after stealing a "Form Baton" (a Wii Remote set in stone) from a temple somewhere in Diamond City. Run out of lives, and the boulder crushes him.

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'':
** In [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 the original game's]] Marble Zone, the player had to outrun some lava. In later games, RiseToTheChallenge was more common.

** ''[[VideoGame/SonicStorybookSeries Sonic and the Secret Rings]]'' has a variant involving escaping from a rampaging Triceratops herd.

* ''Film/{{UHF}}'' opens with an Indiana Jones spoof, including a parody of the famous boulder, which chases the protagonist all the way out of the temple and through the countryside. Interestingly enough, here the character being chased ''does'' think to swerve aside -- but since this is parody, the boulder also swerves to follow him.

In video games, it is sometimes possible to get behind the rolling obstacle of doom, making the whole stage much easier. In 3D video games, the [[CameraScrew camera will often fixate on the boulder and obscure the path you have to run, making the whole stage much harder]].

** ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesGreatestAdventures'' also features the boulder chase -- and throws in a nice CameraScrew as well, as you must hug the right side of the screen, meaning that if you don't know ahead of time when to jump, you'll hit a trap, recoil, and get crushed by the boulder in an example of TrialAndErrorGameplay.

** ''VideoGame/MarioParty6'': A minigame called Granite Getaway uses the [[CameraScrew run toward the camera]] variation, as the characters are chased by a boulder. The finish line consists of a wooden floor over a BottomlessPit -- the characters run over it, and the boulder crashes through it.

* The 1959 version of ''Film/JourneyToTheCenterOfTheEarth'' features some [[OlderThanTheyThink pre-Indy]] giant rolling boulder action.

* In ''Film/{{Sonic the Hedgehog 2|2022}}'', Robotnik and Knuckles go through several typical traps of ancient temples, including a rolling (spiked) boulder. As they run from it, Robotnik throws a LampshadeHanging by saying, "I don't want to die like this! It's derivative!"

* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'': When Mr. Incredible fights the Omnidroid for the first time on the island, the robot shortly tries to crush him by retracting its members into a perfect sphere and rolling through the jungle. Mr. Incredible does the sensible thing and jumps out of the way, but the Omnidroid is a learning robot, and so somehow steers its sphere form towards him.

** The second half of the episode, "[[Recap/ThomasAndFriendsS5E25RustyAndTheBoulder Rusty and the Boulder]]" involved a boulder being dislodged from a mountain and chasing Rusty, Skarloey, and Rheneas. At times, it seemed like the boulder had a mind of its own as it often wound up ahead of or behind the engine it was chasing, even if, logically, it shouldn’t have been able to get there. The boulder finally stopped rolling when it crashed into a shed, barely missing Percy.

** The special ''The Legend of Ogrest'' also has such a trap; for some reason, Ogrest ends up riding atop the boulder while the Ecaflip pirates are running from it.

* Both used and subverted in ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist2003''. After breaking into Lab 5 and getting past all manner of traditional Indy traps, Ed steps on a button tile and unleashes a giant, rolling boulder, apparently from nowhere. He runs a few feet, trips, and then simply squeezes himself into the corner where the wall meets the floor. The boulder, being round and thus unable to do jack with corners, misses him by inches. Afterwards, he remembers that he can just transmute the corridors to get rid of traps. Amusing since he almost thanks his short size, then realizes what he was about to say. (Ed's BerserkButton is being called small. He's also skinny, not just short. Had he been larger he wouldn't have fit in the small space between the boulder and corner.)

* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective'': Basil and Dawson running away from a large Ferris wheel toy rolling in their direction in a toy store

** Another early example is ''Film/SevenChances'' (1925), where the hero is chased down a hill by an avalanche of StyrofoamRocks.
* In ''Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022'', Robotnik and Knuckles go through several typical traps of ancient temples, including a rolling (spiked) boulder. As they run from it, Robotnik throws a LampshadeHanging by saying " I don't want to die like this! It's derivative!"

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfTianding'' has the underground mausoleum stage where you must outrun a boulder down a slope, jumping over pits along the way. Bafflingly, enemy mooks will sometimes try to impede you, [[TooDumbToLive ignoring the boulder]] - you can run past them and let the boulder squash them instead.

* A trap in the Egyptian level of ''VideoGame/Waxworks1992'' is a giant boulder that the player must dodge or be crushed.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

-->'''Mantell:''' I guess the oldest tricks are still fresh right now.* [[http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/comic.php?current=1710&theme=5&dir=prev5 Subverted and Lampshaded]] (as quoted above) in an ''Webcomic/IrregularWebcomic'' mini-arc in the Vatican.

* Both used and subverted in [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist the 2003 anime adaptation]] of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''. After breaking into Lab 5 and getting past all manner of traditional Indy traps, Ed steps on a button tile and unleashes a giant, rolling boulder, apparently from nowhere. He runs a few feet, trips, and then simply squeezes himself into the corner where the wall meets the floor. The boulder, being round and thus unable to do jack with corners, misses him by inches. Afterwards, he remembers that he can just transmute the corridors to get rid of traps. Amusing since he almost thanks his short size, then realizes what he was about to say. (Ed's BerserkButton is being called small. He's also skinny, not just short. Had he been larger he wouldn't have fit in the small space between the boulder and corner.)

* Appeared in ''VideoGame/SweetHome'' as an Instant Death Trap -- if the boulder touches any of your team, they're KilledOffForReal. To even reach the platform where the item that triggers the boulder drop is being held, the player has to lay down several boards... boards which break if crossed over too many times.

* The ''TabletopGame/HeroQuest'' expansion ''The Fortress of Kellar'' contains a special rolling boulder token that's used in one level for exactly this trope -- rolling down the length of one straight corridor (you ''can'' step aside through a door), using the same dice as the heroes for movement, and inflicting heavy, even potentially lethal damage if it rolls over someone.

** ''Monster Hunter Freedom 2'''s opening features this using a Tigrex.
** The Uragaan Ecology video in ''Tri'' does this with a Felyne and two Uragaan. You can tell precisely [[OhCrap what the poor kitty is thinking]] shortly into the video.

* Subverted in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'': a giant boulder is loosed upon the party. Three of them survive -- the fourth, who [[HeroicSacrifice stayed behind to hold the boulder back]], does not.

* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', Link has to evade a boulder before he can access the boss room of the Earth Temple. Turns out, [[spoiler:the boulder ''is'' the boss]].

* Armored Armadillo's stage from ''VideoGame/MegaManX1'' had a few mole-digging machines that would chase you down tunnels.

** ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' has two parts in Chapter 5 where you need to spindash to outrun giant thwomp-looking boulders with spikes in a volcano. Of course, the easier solution would be to use Bow's field ability to allow the boulders to pass harmlessly through Mario, but it (and the fact that the few true field hazards in the game only take one hit point from your health; far from lethal, especially by the time you reach Chapter 5) kinda takes the fun out of it.

** One rather interesting version is one level where Wario is being chased by a Thwomp through corridors just big enough to fit it. Of course, running into it kills Wario, making it like this, but there are also parts where you have to jump on the Thwomp's head and ride it around the level, before getting off and being chased again. A later level does include a scrolling wall of lava that is more typical.

** The classic boulder appears shortly in the episode "The Dragon-Pig", along with most typical TempleOfDoom traps. Note that here the tunnel is perfectly circular, hence there's no corners where to hide from the boulder, even if you're [[BalefulPolymorph a small piglet]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'', when Woody tries to knock Buzz behind the cupboard with RC, Buzz ends up being chased by a rolling globe that gets knocked loose, not long before he falls out the window. For extra points, Disney and Pixar used the exact sound effect of the boulder rolling from ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk''.

** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns'' has ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7w-AhkPfp0&feature=related Crumble Canyon.]]'' Midway into the stage, you have to outrun an [[OneHitKill instant killing]] Tiki-Tak giant sphere until near the end. [[NintendoHard It's harder than it looks]].

** The stage Rambi Rumble from ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry2DiddysKongQuest'' is a well-known incarnation of this. The player had to flee from a giant wasp that chased them down a long tunnel. This can double as terrifying for some. The chase is started by falling down a hole, and with no forewarning, the giant wasp (about twice the size of your character) begins chasing you to an [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXv2y5vrLBI intense, heart-pounding soundtrack.]] The abruptness of the whole situation can catch even experienced players off-guard.
** ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryReturns'' has ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7w-AhkPfp0&feature=related Crumble Canyon.]]'' Midway into the stage, you have to outrun an [[OneHitKill instant killing]] Tiki-Tak giant sphere until near the end. [[NintendoHard Needless to say, it's harder than it looks]].

** A minigame from ''VideoGame/MarioParty 6'' uses the [[CameraScrew run toward the camera]] variation, as the characters are chased by a boulder. The finish line consists of a wooden floor over a BottomlessPit -- the characters run over it, and the boulder crashes through it.

** Part of the "[[ShiftingSandLand Slipsand Galaxy]]" level from ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy2'' involves Mario/Luigi attempting to escape from several Rhomps that are launched out of a pyramid just right before fighting the level's boss, Squizzard.
** ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DLand'' has a section in W8-1 where you're outrunning spiked metal balls, as well as the last part of the final Bowser fight.

* In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'''s adventure mode, The Subspace Emissary, during Lucas's introductory stage, he must run from the invincible Pig King statue while avoiding or defeating enemies as the statue continuously advances on the left side of the screen. At one point, the statue falls in the water and sinks, and you think you're safe, but then it (or another one) falls from the sky and you must keep going. If you're not expecting it, the statue can easily kill you when it lands. Annoying!

* ''WesternAnimation/{{DuckTales|1987]]'' Scrooge escapes a giant rolling potato in "Luck o' the Ducks". Fitting, as ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk'' was inspired by Creator/CarlBarks Uncle Scrooge story, "The Seven Cities of Cibola" (see comic books, above).

* ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse: ''[[ComicBook/TheLifeAndTimesOfScroogeMcDuck Uncle Scrooge]]'' #7 story "The Seven Cities of Cibola" by Creator/CarlBarks (1952) may be the UrExample. The scene in ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk'' was inspired by a segment of this work.

* The UrExample is ''Film/SevenChances'' (1925), where the hero is chased down a hill by an avalanche of StyrofoamRocks.