History Main / PlotCoupon

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'': Three Spiritual Stones followed by the Six Medallions. The Spiritual Stones grant access to the chamber of the Master Sword in the Temple of Time, while the Medallions simbolize the freed power of the Sages (who help Link enter Ganon's Tower in the end). In a more literal (yet minor) example of this trope, Zelda also gives you a letter that allows you to pass by a certain guard.

* Each game of the ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeTrilogy'' has a set of items that must be collected in order to access the final level. 12 Chozo Artifacts in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'', 9 Sky Temple Keys in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime2Echoes'', and at least 5 out of 9 Energy Cells in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption''. Note that you're not told about their importance until the right moment comes, so you can occasionally find one of them while doing something else to have less work remaining by the final act. The big exception here are the Octoliths in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrimeHunters'', of which there are eight, as you must start finding them one by one as soon as the game starts, and do so at very specific plot points and in a specific order.

* The second episode of ''VideoGame/TalesOfMonkeyIsland'' by Creator/TelltaleGames did some LampshadeHanging with this when a local bait shop will ONLY accept literal coupons to purchase bait. One of these three coupons leads to a (literal) RedHerring, but the other two are quite essential to progress in the plot.

** In ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', the player has to find all Star Maps to get behind the villain's military strength; to retrieve these Maps, he always has to do something that involves finding out about the game's background and/or solving problems unrelated to the actual plot, like a Wookiee civil war or a conflict with Tusken raiders. The main plot will only go on after finding one of these coupons.

* The floppy disk in ''Film/{{The Net|19958}}''.

** ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' mixes it up a little, you need ''eight'' Pure Hearts. You start the game with one of them, though, so you still only actually need to find seven.

** ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheOrigamiKing'': The stripes that cover Princess Peach's Castle.
** ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga'' has you collect the four pieces of the Bean Star after it shatters.

* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand2SixGoldenCoins'' has the eponymous large coins, each with an engraved icon representing the world where they're found. These are special coins from boss battles, not the normal kind found in ?-Boxes. Collecting all six of them is necessary to unlock the last, single-level world (Wario's Castle).
** ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' set the tradition in itself and subsequent 3D ''Mario'' platformers of emploiyng a FractionalWinningCondition to progress by collecting a specific type of item, usually replacing the LevelGoal format seen in the 2D games. ''Super Mario 64'' itself, as well as the two ''Galaxy'' games, all have you looking for 120 Power Stars (the minimum required to unlock the last level is 70 in two cases, and 60 in the other). In ''Super Mario 64'', the Power Stars are the energy that protect Princess Peach's castle, hence why Bowser hides them in the various playable courses in order to overtake the castle (though certain Stars remain hidden in the Castle itself, something Bowser comes to lament when he's defeated in the final battle).
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'' replaces the stars with Shine Sprites, which retain the purpose of collection and are justified in-game for being the source of solar energy in Isle Delfino. Instead of a specific number of them, what unlocks the last level is the collection of the Shine Sprites guarded by Shadow Mario, one per world, and in turn you must have collected the Shine Sprites of the preceding to unlock the Shadow Mario episodes themselves.
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'': The game introduces Grand Stars, a higher tier of Power Stars within the total of 120 Plot Coupons alongside the regular kind. The Grand Stars provide enough energy to activate the sections of the Comet Observatory in the first game, from which Mario can access to further galaxies. In turn, each galaxy can only be accessed when a certain number of Power Stars is retrieved, as they serve as fuel to the Observatory. Three Power Stars are green-colored, and though they can still count for the minimum total it takes to unlock the last level (60), they're optional otherwise as they have a different primary purpose. In the long run, [[spoiler:you even have to get them all a second time with Luigi to unlock the ''121st'' star (for both characters) for the 100% completion]].
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy2'': Power and Grand Stars make a return to play this trope's role, but their justification is different. While they still serve as fuel, in this case to the Faceship, the Power Stars are only required to open the path in certain world maps, usually near the major boss level of a world. Then, every time a Grand Star is obtained, the Faceship will be able to reach a new galaxy cluster. To achieve 100% completion, you also have to collect [[spoiler:120 green-colored stars to unlock the Grandmaster Galaxy, which has the last two stars, leaving you with a grand total of 242 stars]].
** ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros2'': [[UptoEleven Taken to the extreme]]. The game wants you to collect 1,000,000 coins (regular coins) for no apparent reason. If this is achieved, it then challenges you to find 99,999,999 coins (enough to fill the coin meter with all 9's, basically). You are then rewarded with [[spoiler: a new title screen]].
** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' has Power Moons, of which there are 880 unique samples in total (more Moons can be eventually bought in the shops). The game justifies the Power Moons as being a fuel source for the Odyssey (New Donk City is even powered by a seemingly-endless supply of them). Some of the moons come in groups of three, and are called Multi-Moons; they're either guarded by bosses or obtained by completing certain special objectives (collecting them is also necessary to complete the individual side stories of the Kingdoms).

* ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'', ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', etc, should be a No-Brainer with the Eight Gym Badges in each Generation.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI'': Eight Pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom.
** ''[[VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink The Adventure of Link]]'': The Six Crystals, or rather the six statues to put the crystals in (you have the crystals at the outset).
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast A Link to the Past]]'': Three Pendants first, then the Seven Maidens. Zelda is actually one of the second set of plot coupons you have to collect and you can see her in your inventory screen in a crystal.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening Link's Awakening]]'': Eight Instruments of the Siren.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'': Three Spiritual Stones followed by the Six Medallions. In a more literal (yet minor) example of this trope, Zelda also gives you a letter that allows you to pass by a certain guard.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'': Four Mask Remains.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames Oracle of Ages/Seasons]]'': Eight Essences of Time (''Ages'') and Nature (''Seasons''). Collecting the full set of eight nets you the Huge Maku Seed needed to dispel the magic protecting the final dungeon.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwords Four Swords]]'': Three Great Keys. Note that there are 3 types of Keys (Silver, Golden, and Hero), and to fully complete the game, the player must collect a total of ''nine'' keys. However, you only need 3 of a kind to fight Vaati.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]]'': Three Goddess Pearls, then the Two Sages, finally the Eight Pieces of the Triforce of Courage.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwordsAdventures Four Swords Adventures]]'': Seven Shrine Maidens (including Zelda), and Four Royal Jewels.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap The Minish Cap]]'': Four Elements.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess Twilight Princess]]'': Four Fused Shadows, then the Four Mirror Fragments.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass Phantom Hourglass]]'': Three Spirits, then the Three Pure Metals.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks Spirit Tracks]]'': Four Force Gems/chunks of the Tower of Spirits, followed by the Bow of Light, and then the Compass of Light.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'': The three Ancient Tablets, the three Sacred Flames, and the four parts of the Song of the Hero.
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds A Link Between Worlds]]'': The three Pendants, and then the paintings of the Seven Sages [[spoiler: and Zelda.]]
** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'': The four [[AnimalMecha Divine Beasts]] as well as the 12 captured memories. In a twist, however, thanks to the games [[SequenceBreaking nonlinear structure]] you can actually skip collecting these. After the introductory level, it's entirely possible to head straight to the [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon final dungeon]] and take out the BigBad. Doing so requires [[NintendoHard tremendous skill]] and good equipment though so the game actively encourages you to seek these out first.

** ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'' mixes it up a little, you need ''eight'' Pure Hearts (You start the game with one of them, though, so you still only actually need to find seven).

** ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' has you collect the four pieces of the Bean Star after it shatters.
** ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' has you collecting the six pieces of the shattered Cobalt Star. Played for laughs in this one, as the number of shards you have goes up and down wildly throughout the game, until you get them all [[spoiler:which is worse than useless; it actually ''frees'' the FinalBoss]].
** ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' has the three Star Cures.

** ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros2'': [[UptoEleven Taken to the extreme]]. The game wants you to collect 1,000,000 coins (regular coins) for no apparent reason. If this is achieved, it then challenges you to find 99,999,999 coins (enough to fill the coin meter with all 9's, basically). You are then rewarded with [[spoiler: a new title screen]].

** Golden Bananas, with 25 available per level: Four bananas per each of the five Kongs, plus one per Kong from "Blueprints", which themselves are also Plot Coupons due to not only being traded for Golden Bananas sometime after collection, but also for their usefulness to gain extra time during the TimedMission of the final world.
** There are also "DK Coins", which feature heavily in minigames and races. While not traded directly, the races / [[MinecartMadness minecart sections]] require a certain number of these to be in your possession by the end of the section to receive the Golden Banana; so even if you win the race or make it out alive through the minecart ride, you won't be rewarded if you don't have enough coins.

** The 3-D Platforming ''Mario'' games also use this trope. ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'' and the two ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy2 games]] all have you looking for 120 stars. In the case of ''Galaxy'', [[spoiler:you even have to get them all a second time to with Luigi to unlock the ''121st'' star (for both characters) for the 100% completion]], while in ''Galaxy 2'' you also have to collect [[spoiler:120 green-colored stars to unlock the Grandmaster Galaxy, which has the last two stars, leaving you with a grand total of 242 stars for 100% completion.]]. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine'' replaces the stars with Shine Sprites, which retain the purpose of collection and are justified in-game for being the source of solar energy in Isle Delfino. In both ''Galaxy'' games, stars are justified as being fuel. ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' similarly justifies its Power Moons as being a fuel source (New Donk City is even powered by a seemingly-endless supply of them!).
** The coins in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand2SixGoldenCoins''. These are special coins from boss battles, not the normal kind found in ?-Boxes.
** [[UptoEleven Taken to the extreme]] in ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros2'': The game wants you to collect 1,000,000 coins (regular coins) for no apparent reason. If this is achieved, it then challenges you to find 99,999,999 coins (enough to fill the coin meter with all 9's, basically). You are then rewarded with [[spoiler: a new title screen]].

** The plot itself of Baldur's Gate II requires you to get a certain high amount of money before being able to pursue the villain. Doing quests for business is your main way to earn money - the other being selling any item you find meanwhile.

* The ''Film/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians: The Lightning Thief'' movie features the titular character, [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Percy Jackson]], and his friends [[PluckyComicRelief Grover]] and [[FauxActionGirl Annabeth]] following a [[MacGuffin magical map]] given to them by a guy who's [[TheUntwist clearly very trustworthy]] to find three magical pearls that will let them escape from the underworld. In the books, the three pearls are given to Percy by some water Nymphs, via his father. In contrast to the book, the movie seems to [[LostAesop miss the lesson]] the books set up by having Percy [[spoiler: leave Grover, his best friend in the underworld, abandoning him.]] Then again, I'm pretty sure no one making the movie had actually READ the book, so that's not much of a surprise.

* In ''[[VideoGame/DragonQuestIV Dragon Warrior/Quest IV]]'' and sequels, the player must collect the 4 legendary armaments (sword, shield, helmet, and armor). Only the hero may wear them, and by the time the player acquires these, his hero likely already has better equipment.

* Franchise/{{Kirby}} games generally have a set of special stars (or Crystal Shards in the game with that title) that you must collect to actually face the real BigBad -- who will only show himself after you complete everything else. However, these items are generally used to make the [[EleventhHourSuperpower weapon]] he needs in the final fight.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild Breath of the Wild]]'': The four [[AnimalMecha Divine Beasts]] as well as the 12 captured memories. In a twist, however, thanks to the games [[SequenceBreaking nonlinear structure]] you can actually skip collecting these. After the introductory level, it's entirely possible to head straight to the [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon final dungeon]] and take out the BigBad. Doing so requires [[NintendoHard tremendous skill]] and good equipment though so the game activity encourages you to seek these out first.

** ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' has you collecting the six pieces of the shattered Cobalt Star. Played for laughs in this one, as the number of shards you have goes up and down wildly throughout the game, until you get them all [[spoiler:which is worse than useless; it actually ''frees'' the FinalBoss)]].

** ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPaperJam'' has the Paper Toads that scattered across the Mushroom Kingdom. In this case, you really just need them for free labor so Toadette can build the papercrafts you need to fight Bowser's creations.

** ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast A Link to the Past]]'': Three Pendants first, then the Seven Maidens.

* The hero's medal in ''Disney/WreckItRalph''. Ralph needs it to win a modicum of respect among the Nicelanders, and the first major plot point is his adventure through ''Hero's Duty'' to retrieve it (within ''Hero's Duty'', it's a {{MacGuffin}}). Unfortunately, it gets stolen by someone who cashes it in for almost exactly the same reason. Then the main plot starts.

* ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' had this in each movie. The cursed coins of Cortez needed to lift the curse in the [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl first]], the key to open Davy Jones' chest in the [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest second]], and the Pieces of Eight in the [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd third]]. And the [[spoiler: [[SwissArmyTears mermaid's tear]] and Ponce de Leon's [[ArtifactOfDoom chalices]]]] in ''[[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides On Stranger Tides]]''.

* Almost every ''{{VideoGame/Sonic|TheHedgehog}}'' game has used the Chaos Emeralds (or "Time Stones" in ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD'') as plot coupons. In the earlier games, they were not necessary to complete the game, they just made it easier and gave you the good ending. However, since ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', they have, in nearly every game, been necessary elements of the plot, often being the goals for completing the level.

** [[InvertedTrope inverted]] in ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'' where sonic has all the chaos emeralds from the start and has to place them in temples across the world to reassemble earth

* The defining characteristic of the whole CollectAThonPlatformer genre is essentially the presence of (at least) one variety of these, which the player must acquire in duplicate in order to advance piecemeal throughout the world(s).