[General Discussion] Difficulty in games

My 2 favorite challenging types of games actually lie on extreme sides of the spectrum, where the challenge is either in the gameplay (learning curve)(F-zero GX), or level design (skill/memorization)(Super Monkey Ball). Both games are among my favorites partially because of the challenge. I also love games like DMC that manage to "interweave" both together, like Devil May Cry.

I hated the nanotech upgrading done in R&C2 and in the subsequent games(although it was balanced out in Deadlocked, as the bad guys would "level up" as you progress very smoothly, almost making the idea of upgrades useless (this is a good thing)), which is why R&C 1 was always the hardest for me. I hate it when you can get better at a game by not actually improving your skill, and instead "level up" to become stronger, that's just tedious.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I don't think that many hard games that try to be hard are hard because of cheap or flawed game design, actually. Ninja Gaiden (XBOX) is an excellent example that many have already brought up in this topic alone.

But you're right. New Super Mario Bros is easy as heck, but it's my absolute favorite DS game, and one of the best platformers I've played in a LONG time.

There's nowhere I can't reach.