the NES was home to many a challenging game with some going the extra mile in
game with some going the extra mile in
game with some going the extra mile in terms of difficulty welcome to
terms of difficulty welcome to
terms of difficulty welcome to watchmojo.com and she’ll be counting
watchmojo.com and she’ll be counting
watchmojo.com and she’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 hardest
down our picks for the top 10 hardest
down our picks for the top 10 hardest and EAS games for this list we’re taking
and EAS games for this list we’re taking
and EAS games for this list we’re taking a look at the Nintendo Entertainment
a look at the Nintendo Entertainment
a look at the Nintendo Entertainment System titles that were difficult
System titles that were difficult
System titles that were difficult because of legitimate challenge rather
because of legitimate challenge rather
because of legitimate challenge rather than broken game design this means hard
than broken game design this means hard
than broken game design this means hard yet broken games like dr. Jekyll and mr.
yet broken games like dr. Jekyll and mr.
yet broken games like dr. Jekyll and mr. Hyde won’t be discussed number 10 top
Hyde won’t be discussed number 10 top
Hyde won’t be discussed number 10 top gun
it’s a highway to the dangerzone indeed
it’s a highway to the dangerzone indeed released 18 months after the film Top
released 18 months after the film Top
released 18 months after the film Top Gun this flight simulation game bases
Gun this flight simulation game bases
Gun this flight simulation game bases itself on the film’s flight sequences to
itself on the film’s flight sequences to
itself on the film’s flight sequences to offer legitimate if notably tough
offer legitimate if notably tough
offer legitimate if notably tough challenges players take on the role of
challenges players take on the role of
challenges players take on the role of maverick flying an f-14 Tomcat in for
maverick flying an f-14 Tomcat in for
maverick flying an f-14 Tomcat in for missions with escalating objectives from
missions with escalating objectives from
missions with escalating objectives from destroying an aircraft carrier to
destroying an aircraft carrier to
destroying an aircraft carrier to bringing down a space shuttle does that
bringing down a space shuttle does that
bringing down a space shuttle does that happen in the movie right however the
happen in the movie right however the
happen in the movie right however the real difficulty lies in landing the
real difficulty lies in landing the
real difficulty lies in landing the Tomcat after a mission as it requires
Tomcat after a mission as it requires
Tomcat after a mission as it requires attention to speed and angle of descent
attention to speed and angle of descent
attention to speed and angle of descent it’s probably best to take things nice
it’s probably best to take things nice
it’s probably best to take things nice and easy if you try this
number nine Zelda to The Adventure of
number nine Zelda to The Adventure of Link
sometimes a shift in genre is what it
sometimes a shift in genre is what it takes to shake up the difficulty curve
takes to shake up the difficulty curve
takes to shake up the difficulty curve such is the case with this sequel to the
such is the case with this sequel to the
such is the case with this sequel to the landmark action-adventure game The
landmark action-adventure game The
landmark action-adventure game The Legend of Zelda in which our boy hero
Legend of Zelda in which our boy hero
Legend of Zelda in which our boy hero link sets out to awaken Princess Zelda
link sets out to awaken Princess Zelda
link sets out to awaken Princess Zelda from her magically induced slumber
the core concept of Zelda 2 is how it
the core concept of Zelda 2 is how it moves away from the top-down exploration
moves away from the top-down exploration
moves away from the top-down exploration of the original into a blend of
of the original into a blend of
of the original into a blend of overworld traversal and side-scrolling
overworld traversal and side-scrolling
overworld traversal and side-scrolling actions this gameplay shift is made
actions this gameplay shift is made
actions this gameplay shift is made tougher for gamers by a general lack of
tougher for gamers by a general lack of
tougher for gamers by a general lack of direct information about the world
direct information about the world
direct information about the world meaning trial and error and educated
meaning trial and error and educated
meaning trial and error and educated guesses are key number 8 Castlevania
crack that whip and prepare for a
crack that whip and prepare for a nightmarish onslaught the original
nightmarish onslaught the original
nightmarish onslaught the original Castlevania made an impact for many
Castlevania made an impact for many
Castlevania made an impact for many reasons it’s groundbreaking visuals it’s
reasons it’s groundbreaking visuals it’s
reasons it’s groundbreaking visuals it’s clever use of plastic horror iconography
clever use of plastic horror iconography
clever use of plastic horror iconography and it’s steep learning curve while
and it’s steep learning curve while
and it’s steep learning curve while demon slayer Simon Belmont uses a
demon slayer Simon Belmont uses a
demon slayer Simon Belmont uses a variety of assist items in addition to
variety of assist items in addition to
variety of assist items in addition to his famed whip his efforts are balanced
his famed whip his efforts are balanced
his famed whip his efforts are balanced out by constantly responding foes and
out by constantly responding foes and
out by constantly responding foes and difficult to traverse levels on top of
difficult to traverse levels on top of
difficult to traverse levels on top of that Simon’s combat and platforming
that Simon’s combat and platforming
that Simon’s combat and platforming abilities are limited in nature by
abilities are limited in nature by
abilities are limited in nature by design demanding a cautious and
design demanding a cautious and
design demanding a cautious and strategic approach to play
nothing like a classic side scroller to
nothing like a classic side scroller to take us back contra ported to the NES in
take us back contra ported to the NES in
take us back contra ported to the NES in 1988 made itself known for quick moving
1988 made itself known for quick moving
1988 made itself known for quick moving screen filling run and gun action though
screen filling run and gun action though
screen filling run and gun action though the game occasionally shifted into
the game occasionally shifted into
the game occasionally shifted into pseudo 3d and fixed screen segments its
pseudo 3d and fixed screen segments its
pseudo 3d and fixed screen segments its main attraction was having the player
main attraction was having the player
main attraction was having the player blast their way from left to right the
blast their way from left to right the
blast their way from left to right the challenge lay in surviving long enough
challenge lay in surviving long enough
challenge lay in surviving long enough to reach each levels end
enemies always fired from a number of
enemies always fired from a number of different directions and one hitmen
different directions and one hitmen
different directions and one hitmen instant death for the player although
instant death for the player although
instant death for the player although having the default weapon carry infinite
having the default weapon carry infinite
having the default weapon carry infinite ammo certainly helped matters a bit
pray for those heroes in a half-shell
pray for those heroes in a half-shell loosely based on the 1987 animated
loosely based on the 1987 animated
loosely based on the 1987 animated series of the same name Teenage Mutant
series of the same name Teenage Mutant
series of the same name Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is famous for its level of
Ninja Turtles is famous for its level of
Ninja Turtles is famous for its level of difficulty switching between each one of
difficulty switching between each one of
difficulty switching between each one of the four turtles the player is tasked
the four turtles the player is tasked
the four turtles the player is tasked with exploring an overworld map which
with exploring an overworld map which
with exploring an overworld map which transitions into side-scrolling levels
transitions into side-scrolling levels
transitions into side-scrolling levels in sewers buildings and that infamous
in sewers buildings and that infamous
in sewers buildings and that infamous dam level
as you venture through each area an
as you venture through each area an array of increasingly difficult folks
array of increasingly difficult folks
array of increasingly difficult folks from foot ninjas to Mouser robots and
from foot ninjas to Mouser robots and
from foot ninjas to Mouser robots and more show up to cause trouble
more show up to cause trouble
more show up to cause trouble coupled with the limited nature of
coupled with the limited nature of
coupled with the limited nature of jumping it’s easy to see how this game
jumping it’s easy to see how this game
jumping it’s easy to see how this game gets its reputation number five Super
gets its reputation number five Super
gets its reputation number five Super Mario Brothers the Lost Levels a
conversion of Doki Doki Panic this is
conversion of Doki Doki Panic this is not initially released only in Japan
not initially released only in Japan
not initially released only in Japan Super Mario Brothers 2 or the Lost
Super Mario Brothers 2 or the Lost
Super Mario Brothers 2 or the Lost Levels as it’s known here in the West
Levels as it’s known here in the West
Levels as it’s known here in the West was developed as a direct follow-up to
was developed as a direct follow-up to
was developed as a direct follow-up to the original Super Mario Brothers what
the original Super Mario Brothers what
the original Super Mario Brothers what resulted however is something of a
resulted however is something of a
resulted however is something of a legend packing in hazards such as poison
legend packing in hazards such as poison
legend packing in hazards such as poison mushrooms and midair wind gusts the Lost
mushrooms and midair wind gusts the Lost
mushrooms and midair wind gusts the Lost Levels became notorious for its
Levels became notorious for its
Levels became notorious for its escalation and challenge in fact it’s
escalation and challenge in fact it’s
escalation and challenge in fact it’s perceived difficulty was so great that
perceived difficulty was so great that
perceived difficulty was so great that it would not be sold in North America
it would not be sold in North America
it would not be sold in North America until 1993 as part of the Super Mario
until 1993 as part of the Super Mario
until 1993 as part of the Super Mario all-stars compilation number 4 ghosts
all-stars compilation number 4 ghosts
all-stars compilation number 4 ghosts and goblins a Knight’s Tale unlike any
and goblins a Knight’s Tale unlike any
and goblins a Knight’s Tale unlike any other for good or ill developed by
other for good or ill developed by
other for good or ill developed by Capcom ghosts and goblins has a simple
Capcom ghosts and goblins has a simple
Capcom ghosts and goblins has a simple setup the noble knight arthur embarking
setup the noble knight arthur embarking
setup the noble knight arthur embarking on a quest to save princess prin prin
on a quest to save princess prin prin
on a quest to save princess prin prin from satan this is easier said than done
from satan this is easier said than done
from satan this is easier said than done though the game features a wide array of
though the game features a wide array of
though the game features a wide array of damage resistant monsters and a timer
damage resistant monsters and a timer
damage resistant monsters and a timer for level completion lest Arthur risk
for level completion lest Arthur risk
for level completion lest Arthur risk losing a life on top of all this the
losing a life on top of all this the
losing a life on top of all this the game requires a second playthrough on a
game requires a second playthrough on a
game requires a second playthrough on a higher difficulty setting in order to
higher difficulty setting in order to
higher difficulty setting in order to achieve the true ending
noble quests demand intense challenge
noble quests demand intense challenge apparently at least that’s our reasoning
apparently at least that’s our reasoning
apparently at least that’s our reasoning for the design of ninja gaiden a game
for the design of ninja gaiden a game
for the design of ninja gaiden a game split into six acts that chronicles the
split into six acts that chronicles the
split into six acts that chronicles the ninja Ryo Hayabusas mission to avenge
ninja Ryo Hayabusas mission to avenge
ninja Ryo Hayabusas mission to avenge his father
what makes this action platformer
what makes this action platformer particularly noteworthy is its embrace
particularly noteworthy is its embrace
particularly noteworthy is its embrace of respawning enemies numerous level
of respawning enemies numerous level
of respawning enemies numerous level hazards and boss that command a patient
hazards and boss that command a patient
hazards and boss that command a patient yet adaptable play style
factor in the escalating difficulty and
factor in the escalating difficulty and the need to comprehend mechanics such as
the need to comprehend mechanics such as
the need to comprehend mechanics such as wall jumping and thus players have an
wall jumping and thus players have an
wall jumping and thus players have an NES title for the ages also those damned
NES title for the ages also those damned
NES title for the ages also those damned Eagles number two Silver Surfer
developed by software creations this
developed by software creations this fascinating title doesn’t pull its
fascinating title doesn’t pull its
fascinating title doesn’t pull its punches at its most basic Silver Surfer
punches at its most basic Silver Surfer
punches at its most basic Silver Surfer is a shoot-’em-up in which players take
is a shoot-’em-up in which players take
is a shoot-’em-up in which players take on the role of the eponymous Marvel
on the role of the eponymous Marvel
on the role of the eponymous Marvel Comics superhero flying around inside
Comics superhero flying around inside
Comics superhero flying around inside scrolling and overhead segments however
scrolling and overhead segments however
scrolling and overhead segments however complications arise from its challenge
complications arise from its challenge
complications arise from its challenge centric design the silver surfers foes
centric design the silver surfers foes
centric design the silver surfers foes are relentless the surfer himself has a
are relentless the surfer himself has a
are relentless the surfer himself has a large hitbox and he can die in one hit
as a result gameplay becomes just as
as a result gameplay becomes just as much about edging forward to safety as
much about edging forward to safety as
much about edging forward to safety as it is about combating interstellar
it is about combating interstellar
it is about combating interstellar adversaries seriously why is the Silver
adversaries seriously why is the Silver
adversaries seriously why is the Silver Surfer so fragile he’s supposed to have
Surfer so fragile he’s supposed to have
Surfer so fragile he’s supposed to have the power cause moon it’s like you touch
the power cause moon it’s like you touch
the power cause moon it’s like you touch the top of the building you die and
the top of the building you die and
the top of the building you die and touch the ceiling you die touch the
touch the ceiling you die touch the
touch the ceiling you die touch the floor you die too far the right you die
floor you die too far the right you die
floor you die too far the right you die too far left you die you die you die you
too far left you die you die you die you
too far left you die you die you die you die die die die die die die die die die
die die die die die die die die die die
die die die die die die die die die die die die we unveil our top pick here are
die die we unveil our top pick here are
die die we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions
ah the days when rare stood tall and
ah the days when rare stood tall and made us weep quietly 1991’s battletoads
made us weep quietly 1991’s battletoads
made us weep quietly 1991’s battletoads praised in its day for its hardware
praised in its day for its hardware
praised in its day for its hardware pushing graphics and varied gameplay
pushing graphics and varied gameplay
pushing graphics and varied gameplay also didn’t lack for player challenging
also didn’t lack for player challenging
also didn’t lack for player challenging obstacles
from its fast-paced turbo tunnel level
from its fast-paced turbo tunnel level to the onslaught of enemies and
to the onslaught of enemies and
to the onslaught of enemies and obstacles in its beat above stages
obstacles in its beat above stages
obstacles in its beat above stages Battletoads was built to push gamers to
Battletoads was built to push gamers to
Battletoads was built to push gamers to their limits it toyed with elements of
their limits it toyed with elements of
their limits it toyed with elements of different genres ensuring the player
different genres ensuring the player
different genres ensuring the player didn’t know exactly what to expect with
didn’t know exactly what to expect with
didn’t know exactly what to expect with each new level the sheer brutality of
each new level the sheer brutality of
each new level the sheer brutality of its design is at once remarkable and
its design is at once remarkable and
its design is at once remarkable and kind of terrifying
do we with our list which NES games do
do we with our list which NES games do you feel are super hard
for more challenging top 10s published
for more challenging top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to
every day be sure to subscribe to
every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
”
Be First to Comment