[General Discussion] Hardest game(s) you've ever played

The first Battletoads for the NES was the toughest game I've ever played. First level was fun and was really only a quick run-through of the controls, but once you beat that level that honeymoon was over, boy. The levels seemed to last forever and the hoverbike levels are the single toughest gauntlet any gamer worth his or her salt can ever pinch through. Needless to say, I am one of the many who never beat it.

Ninja Gaiden was also a tough motherfucker to crack but at least that game was a bit more forgiving on the jumps.

Mischief Makers was a game that I actually thought was pretty difficult. See, how much of the ending you actually saw when you played through the game depended on how many gold gems you picked up in the game. I mean, sure you could plow through the entire game in a couple of sittings if you wanted to, but you'd just get a "here's a line of backstory, now go back and earn the full tale, you fuck" ending. Getting all the gems in the game was STUPID hard because some of the boss stages had them too and to earn them you had to beat the bosses without taking a single hit. I still haven't seen the complete ending for this game.

And, of course, Ikaruga. This game is harder than a Jessykins' nipples while walking blindfolded through a fish market. I've never seen the ending for this game either but I'm told that if I sink enough hours into the game I can opt for infinite continues, so this one may have hope yet.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by LeHah

Einhänder was harder than this.

I actually beat Einhänder. Twice. I've never been able to beat Ikaruga.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Colonel Skills

I can give you pro-tips if you'd like. Here's one for free. "White absorbs white".

Gee! Thanks a BUNCH, mister! I'm glad you're here to tell me these things! But I gotta get going now to shine shoes at the train station so dad won't beat me for not helping with the rent. Then I'm gonna hit the paper route so I can buy some Bazooka-zooka BUBBLEGUM! Life is so much better now!

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by LeHah

Exactly my point: You can beat the harder, older game but still struggle with basic color comprehension.

Back in the day I remember being able to cut a swath of destruction through Contra III on Hard too but, you know, I'm old now. Years of drug, alcohol and pussy abuse killed my reflexes. What's YOUR excuse for not beating it now?

Originally Posted by Big Gay Chulo

Did anyone ever play RC Stunt Copter on the PlayStation? That was simultaneously one of the hardest and most boring games ever developed.

You've clearly never played Carnage Heart. Single disc game that came in a double disc case because half of the case was reserved for the gargantuan instruction booklet that practically required a Ph.D. to understand and it was one of the most bland-looking and boring games ever released on the system. I sold it the week I bought it and bought Bushido Blade instead.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by LeHah

Whats YOUR excuse?

Um....

Originally Posted by Encephalon

Years of drug, alcohol and pussy abuse killed my reflexes. What's YOUR excuse for not beating it now?

Plus, your friend beat the final boss for you. I used to ream through it alone.

I had no friends in high school.

I was speaking idiomatically.