20 Years Ago, The Matrix Got an Entirely New Ending That Many People Missed

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So, twenty years ago today, the Wachowskis actually gave The Matrix a totally different ending than what we saw in theaters! They did it through a game called The Matrix: The Path of Neo, made by Shiny Entertainment. As a gamer, I got to be Neo, and it basically let me relive some of the coolest scenes from all three movies – The Matrix, Reloaded, and Revolutions. Honestly, it was way better than Enter the Matrix, but critics were still kind of split on it.

Even twenty years after its release, the game remains captivating because of its unexpected connection to the Matrix trilogy. The Wachowskis, who created the Matrix films, collaborated with Shiny Entertainment and envisioned a more energetic and positive conclusion for the game than the films’ thoughtful, yet melancholic, ending. This resulted in a uniquely strange and memorable finale – and a chance for the filmmakers to playfully revisit and comment on their own work.

How The Path Of Neo Rewrote The Ending Of Matrix Revolutions

The ending of The Matrix: The Path of Neo is unusual and intentionally so, significantly altering the climactic showdown from the earlier films. In The Matrix Revolutions, Neo returns to the Matrix to fight Agent Smith. He discovers Smith has taken over everyone within the digital world before engaging in a difficult battle with him.

Ultimately, Neo lets Agent Smith copy him, allowing him to defeat the villain from within and save everyone trapped in the Matrix. While the ending was emotionally rewarding for many, it also left some viewers feeling puzzled and unsatisfied. It’s a fitting conclusion to Neo’s journey as a selfless savior, and it effectively wraps up the story.

Unlike other versions, the game The Path of Neo takes a unique approach. Before Neo and Smith’s last fight, Neo actually has the upper hand. Then, all the Smith clones watching the battle merge with the city itself, forming a giant version of Agent Smith called MegaSmith. This sets the stage for the game’s final boss battle, where Neo continues the fight in the air.

Dealing enough damage to the powerful Agent Smith causes him to become overloaded and explode, apparently destroying him for good. The ending is a bit unclear about what happens to Neo, but it does embrace the film’s quirky side by showing the people of Zion celebrating their victory with Queen’s “We Are The Champions.” It’s true – the song actually plays!

Why The Wachowskis Changed The Ending Of The Matrix Trilogy

Interestingly, the developers didn’t create this decision independently. In a recent interview with Polygon about the Matrix games, the team at Shiny Entertainment shared that the Wachowskis actively collaborated with them on developing the story mode for Path of Neo, particularly the ending. The Wachowskis actually agreed with Shiny Entertainment’s worries that the original ending wouldn’t provide a satisfying conclusion to the game.

Although the movie ended on a thought-provoking note, the game creators worried that ending the game the same way would feel unsatisfying because players wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. The Wachowskis then suggested adding MegaSmith as a final boss, simply because it would be an enjoyable fight. The developers even considered making Smith literally Godzilla by contacting Toho, but Toho declined the request.

Before the last fight, the game subtly hints that things aren’t going to unfold as players might expect. It pauses gameplay to feature pixelated versions of the Wachowskis – resembling old Atari graphics – who explain the unexpected twist and why they included it. This moment remains one of the most unusual parts of the game, particularly when compared to how it otherwise adapts the movie trilogy.

Considering how much The Matrix borrowed from anime like Ghost in the Shell and Akira from the start, it feels natural to see the series now include more nods to Japanese film and culture. The character MechaSmith, while not Godzilla himself, definitely evokes that same powerful feeling. The game’s finale is massive and impressive – it truly has to be experienced firsthand.

This new ending gave the Wachowskis a chance to comment on the original Matrix trilogy long before The Matrix Resurrections was made. It let them revisit the film’s messianic themes and show how relevant they still are, all while enjoying the chance to playfully combine different ideas. In fact, the ending feels so self-aware, and the Wachowskis seem to be having so much fun with their cameo, that other video game adaptations should feel free to take big risks with their stories and make bold changes. At the very least,

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2025-11-07 22:40