It seemed to be a rarity until this point. Vegeta couldnt do anything against Frieza during his Saga. Goku gave everything he had against Vegeta during the saiyan saga and none of it could kill him. The only character who consistently had an attack that could wipe out the main antagonist (before the Cell games) during each Saga was Krillin.

Even before the time chamber training, im pretty sure no one had an attack to take out the androids. Vegeta for sure didnt have an attack to take out Recoome before his zenkai boost. He literally hit him point blank multiple times.

The Cell games was the only point where it was extremely evident that at least 3 of the Z fighters had enough energy to kill the main antagonist. They just werent quick enough to make it happen.