With the growth of the gaming industry, popular video games are now focusing on reducing the difficulty level to cater to a wider range of players. To truly experience a challenging gameplay, players are now required to choose the “hard” mode, typically resulting in increased enemy encounters and limited ammunition.
However, the true essence of difficulty lies in its integration into the game’s design, where players are compelled to approach the game from a different perspective and work hard to make progress.
The list below features 30 games that have no qualms about delivering a hard-hitting challenge and continuously testing your skills. Here are The 30 Hardest Video Games of All Time for you.
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The 30 Hardest Video Games of All Time
1. Super Meat Boy
In the realm of challenging side-scrolling games, there are already well-known titles like Super Mario Bros. 2. However, Team Meat saw this as an opportunity to create something even more difficult in the world of 2D platformers.
Released in 2010, Super Meat Boy pushed the boundaries of difficulty with its meticulously designed levels that were guaranteed to frustrate players every time they failed to navigate the treacherous obstacles.
The game had a quick and fast-paced gameplay that tested your speed and precision at the same time. Personally, I believe that no other game has matched the level of difficulty that Super Meat Boy presented. One of the great aspects of Super Meat Boy was that regardless of how many times you died, you were able to quickly respawn and continue playing.
2. Dark Souls
When it comes to difficult video games, FromSoftware Inc. is a name that cannot be ignored. And at the forefront of this challenging genre is Dark Souls, a game that has paved the way for other souls-like titles.
Unlike its smoother successors Dark Souls 2 and 3, the original Dark Souls presented players with a slow and deliberate combat experience. Every battle was a test of skill and determination, with no easy way out.
In comparison to its counterparts like Demon’s Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, Dark Souls Original did not offer much room for adaptation. While Elden Ring allows players to retreat from battles and Bloodborne emphasizes mobility, Dark Souls remained the true embodiment of a truly punishing gauntlet.
3. Contra
Take your pick from any of the original Contra games and you’ll quickly understand why they are considered some of the toughest video games out there. Initially, we may have despised them, but over time, we developed a deep affection for their challenging nature and constantly sought their validation.
Contra set the bar for extreme difficulty, and even today, it remains incredibly tough. If you’re prone to getting stressed easily, it’s best to steer clear of it. However, if you’re someone who enjoys a true test of skill, allocate some time for Contra and demonstrate your unwavering determination.
4. Sekiro Shadows Die Twice
It may come as a surprise to some that Sekiro is not mentioned in the third spot when it comes to the hardest video games. Although Sekiro is developed by FromSoftware, it is not considered a ‘Souls’ game.
While it does have similarities with Dark Souls and Elden Ring, Sekiro is a challenging single-player adventure. Unlike Souls games, where players can summon allies to assist with defeating tough bosses, Sekiro requires players to either improve their skills or face repeated deaths.
Sekiro is a game that highly values players who master its mechanics and show patience, practice, and cleverness. Merely relying on button mashing won’t lead players very far in this game.
It is undoubtedly the most challenging creation by FromSoftware, surpassing even the Souls games in difficulty due to its absence of multiplayer and unwavering refusal to make compromises. However, those who are able to conquer Sekiro will have their skills unquestionably recognized.
5. Elden Ring
The genre of Souls-like games is constantly evolving, and new challenging elements are added regularly. This was the case with the release of Elden Ring in 2022. Unlike other similar games, Elden Ring is known for its extremely difficult gameplay.
Even the first boss fight is designed to be incredibly challenging, emphasizing the pain and frustration players may experience. The bosses in Elden Ring are intentionally overpowered compared to your character’s abilities at any given stage of the game.
However, since it is an open-world game, Elden Ring provides players with the opportunity to avoid the immediate pressure of defeating a boss and allows for more exploration. With the upcoming release of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, it is anticipated that the difficulty level will be even higher. Only time will reveal the true extent of the challenge.
6. Ninja Gaiden
The previous Ninja Gaiden games in the arcade were quite entertaining. The 2004 version of the game followed the same enjoyable format but with an added challenge. Ninja Gaiden became significantly more difficult, despite its responsive controls.
The intense and bloody gameplay left no room for mistakes. While the sequels maintained the game’s reputation, the 2004 Ninja Gaiden stood out for its brutal and insurmountable difficulty level.
7. Ghosts ‘N Goblins
Imagine playing a video game where the main character can be defeated with just two hits, and enemies can appear unexpectedly from any part of the game. On top of that, power-ups that are supposed to help you can actually harm you.
This is exactly what you’ll experience when you start playing Ghosts ‘N Goblins. However, the most cruel part of all is what happens if you manage to actually finish the game.
In a not-so-friendly manner, Capcom lets you know that you have fallen into a “trap created by Satan” and in order to truly claim the title of a champion, you have to play the game again at an even more challenging difficulty level.
8. Ikaruga
It is evident that Ikaruga was initially created to consume coins at Japanese arcades due to the overwhelming amount of enemy fire constantly displayed on the screen.
Despite its challenging nature, this “bullet hell” game continues to be a beloved classic shooter, with its availability on PC and various other platforms maintaining the interest of fans.
9. Cuphead
The saying “never judge a book by its cover” definitely applies to Cuphead. Despite its cute graphics and lively soundtrack, this side-scrolling game proves to be anything but harmless.
Once you start playing, you quickly discover the hidden complexities and challenges lurking behind the cheerful characters. Conquering boss fights can take hours of intense gameplay, all while being captivated by its nostalgic animations.
Don’t be fooled by its appearance – Cuphead is a game that requires true bravery, even though it may initially seem geared towards children.
10. Spelunky 2
Last year, a highly anticipated sequel to the well-known platform game Spelunky was released. Spelunky 2 didn’t just make a quiet entrance, it boldly proclaimed its superiority over its predecessor.
This game took the complexity of platformers to new heights, forcing players to carefully consider each and every action. Not only did they have to contend with unpredictable enemies, but the challenge of losing valuable tools became a major obstacle.
Spelunky 2 was a game that pushed players to their limits, making every moment a struggle. It is safe to say that many players have a love-hate relationship with this incredibly difficult game.
11. Flappy Bird
Do you recall Flappy Bird? It was another straightforward yet infuriating game from the past. In Flappy Bird, players had to continuously tap the screen to keep the bird in the air and avoid obstacles. Despite its apparent simplicity, the game quickly became maddening.
Surprisingly, it also had an addictive quality that kept players hooked. This unique combination caused a lot of stress for players back then, and many still remember it vividly. Personally, I certainly do.
While the original Flappy Bird is no longer widely available, there are numerous online alternatives to explore. We have provided a link to one such alternative below, so give it a try and relive the frustrating nostalgia.
12. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The NES version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was quite different from its highly-praised follow-up games. This 1989 game received criticism for several reasons, particularly its extreme level of difficulty.
Unlike challenging games that are still considered fair, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the NES had enemies that constantly reappeared, power-ups placed in unreachable spots, jumps that required precise accuracy, and situations where taking damage was unavoidable.
13. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
When it comes to difficult video games, 2D platformers have always been a tough challenge. However, it is important to acknowledge one of the classics in this genre, namely Super Mario Bros. 2, also known as The Lost Levels.
This game was released in 1986, just one year after the original. While it maintains the same overall feel as its predecessor, it introduces a significant increase in difficulty. Players can expect to encounter more challenging obstacles and even poisonous mushrooms.
Nintendo certainly did not hold back when it came to making this game tough, and that difficulty is still apparent to this day.
14. Silver Surfer
In 1990, the NES introduced the Silver Surfer game, which stands out among other comic book game adaptations due to its incredibly challenging nature.
The game presents the protagonist, Silver Surfer, as unexpectedly fragile, as a single hit results in death and limited interaction with most game objects. Additionally, defeating enemies requires multiple hits, and if players die once, they are forced to restart the level from the beginning.
15. Sifu
Sifu is a challenging video game that resembles classic beat ’em ups. It requires a high level of skill and rewards players who can quickly learn patterns and movesets. While Sifu is not in the same genre as Elden Ring and the Souls series, it does share similarities with them, particularly in its intense boss fights.
Making a single mistake can result in the player’s failure, and to make matters worse, the game penalizes death by causing the main character to age with each demise.
The difficulty level of video games can greatly affect the outcome of a player’s progress. In the game Sifu, every time the player dies, their chances of achieving revenge for their character diminish.
Additionally, as the character ages, the threat of permadeath becomes closer, which also applies to the player themselves. This mechanic is reminiscent of the lost souls concept seen in FromSoftware’s games, but it holds even greater significance in Sifu.
16. Returnal
Returnal is an incredibly challenging video game that draws inspiration from third-person survival horror shooters and the Souls series. The game’s difficulty is primarily attributed to its strict rules regarding progress, although some of these elements have been modified through patches to make the game more user-friendly.
This sci-fi adventure may not appeal to everyone, but players who enjoy difficult games will find plenty to enjoy, particularly those who appreciate a deep and well-crafted narrative. Although Returnal can be frustrating at times, it is ultimately rewarding to persevere and reach the end.
17. Bloodborne
The combat mechanics in Bloodborne can be quite challenging as they emphasize powerful and quick strikes. Unlike other games, there is no option to rely on a shield for protection, and the game’s Rally system encourages players to be aggressive in order to regain health.
This means that initially, it may be more difficult for players to master the dodging and healing mechanics in Bloodborne compared to other games that use Estus Flasks and rolling.
18. Demon’s Souls
The first installment of the Souls game series remains one of the most difficult video games. FromSoftware’s level design philosophy reached its peak here, with unexpected attacks strategically placed to hinder your progress towards the next shortcut or Archstone.
Additionally, players must navigate the intricate world tendency system to acquire specific items, which can be quite challenging to manipulate.
19. Dragon’s Lair
Dragon’s Lair, in its original arcade version, is widely regarded as one of the most challenging video games ever created.
Players must possess lightning-fast reflexes and have excellent memorization skills to successfully navigate through the game’s brief adventure without facing untimely deaths. Despite its difficulty, the game showcases visually stunning artwork, making the arduous journey all the more rewarding.
20. Dwarf Fortress
One of the most difficult video games out there is Dwarf Fortress, mainly due to its complexity. As the overseer of a Dwarf Fortress, players have the freedom to do almost anything, but this also means that things can easily spiral out of control.
Additionally, the game’s ASCII graphics added another layer of difficulty, although it’s worth mentioning that a graphical user interface (GUI) version has been released 15 years after the game’s initial launch.
21. Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy
Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy presents a challenging simulation where a character, with his lower body confined to a pot, propels himself using a hammer. The game accurately portrays the grueling nature of this task.
The simplicity of the premise contrasts with the difficulty players face as they can easily lose all their progress. The absence of checkpoints means that one must rely solely on their determination to persevere, regardless of the obstacles faced.
22. Kerbal Space Program
Exploring outer space is no easy feat, and Kerbal Space Program stands out as one of the pioneers in portraying the intricacies involved. Successfully launching a rocket into orbit without any mishaps is an arduous task, let alone navigating the complexities of interplanetary travel.
23. Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!
Punch-Out!! may seem easy at first when you face off against Glass Joe, but as you progress, you encounter opponents who have a wide range of moves at their disposal. In order to defeat them, you have to carefully study and remember their fighting patterns and strategically land hits at the perfect timing.
The final boss, Tyson (or Mr. Dream in newer versions), is known for his lightning-fast speed and powerful punches, making it incredibly challenging to defeat him. It’s highly probable that you’ll have to replay the game multiple times before you acquire the necessary skills to emerge victorious.
24. Nioh
The video game created by Team Ninja offers a unique take on the popular Souls formula. It immerses players in a dark fantasy world inspired by the Sengoku period, where they must combat Yokai as skilled samurai influenced by Western culture.
This game combines elements from both the Souls series and Ninja Gaiden, resulting in a challenging experience where players face terrifying enemies.
25. Stuntman
This video game challenges players to perform a variety of stunts for six made-up movies. The difficulty lies in the fact that the game demands an unusually high level of precision in order for your actions to be considered successful.
Additionally, the game’s car physics are designed to mimic real-life physics, so don’t anticipate being able to make sharp turns easily.
26. Shinobi
Shinobi, both in its arcade and console versions, is a classic game that reflects the challenging nature of its time.
Originally designed to devour quarters in arcades, this side-scrolling action game remains incredibly difficult even in its console adaptations, where players have the luxury of a health bar instead of instant death from a single hit.
27. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
The follow-up to Zelda ventured into unfamiliar territory. The combat system, which involved moving from side to side, proved to be incredibly challenging, and players often found it difficult to determine their next destination.
Thankfully, Nintendo decided to revert back to the successful formula of the original game in the subsequent installment, without any further experimentation.
28. God Hand
The commercial underperformance of God Hand has prevented other game developers from adopting its best ideas, one of which is the unique on-screen difficulty meter that adjusts according to the player’s skill level.
This meter has four levels, ranging from level one to level DIE (the highest level), and it remains low if the player is struggling.
However, as the player becomes more skilled at this already challenging game, the difficulty level increases by making enemies attack more aggressively, attacking from unexpected angles, increasing the damage they inflict, and offering greater rewards for defeating them.
Very few games impose the same level of demands as God Hand, and none are able to seamlessly integrate difficulty and performance as elegantly as this game does.
29. F-Zero GX
When it comes to discussing the most challenging video games, racing games don’t often make the cut. However, there is one game that deserves to be mentioned in this conversation. F-Zero GX, an exclusive game for the GameCube, is well-known for its tough story mode.
The game features extremely difficult sections that could potentially discourage casual players and hinder their ability to finish the game.
30. Mega Man 9
Among the Mega Man games, Mega Man 9 is widely recognized as the most challenging one. It has gained a reputation for being the hardest game in the entire series so far. Not only is it difficult to complete all the levels and defeat the bosses, but players also need to become true experts of the game to unlock all of Mega Man 9’s achievements.
These achievements demand players to complete the game without dying or utilizing any energy tanks. As any experienced player of the Mega Man series can confirm, accomplishing these feats is nearly impossible for the average gamer.
31. Weaponlord
One of the biggest flaws of this beat-’em-up game, which was released exclusively for consoles, was that it attempted to take a different approach. It deviated from the traditional control methods used in arcade fighters by introducing unconventional button combinations and d-pad movements.
However, this resulted in a complex system that was too difficult for most casual players and completely counterintuitive for dedicated beat-’em-up competitors. Additionally, the computer-controlled characters in the game were exceptionally skilled, making it even more challenging.
As a result, Weaponlord became known as a unique and interesting game primarily because it was the first fighter game designed with online play in mind. If you are interested in trying it out, the version available for the MegaDrive console is slightly more forgiving compared to its counterpart on the SNES.
For more content on List check out the relevant links below and any of our guides, list of games, and news on Gamerode.
I found the relevant links and guides on Gamerode very helpful for finding new games to play. I highly recommend checking them out!
I love challenging video games and this article provides a great list of some of the hardest games of all time. I’ve played Super Meat Boy and it truly tests your skills and patience. I’m excited to try out some of the other games mentioned here!
I have played some of these games and I can definitely agree that they are extremely difficult. It can be frustrating at times, but the challenge is what makes them so rewarding to beat.