[General Discussion] Difficulty in games

I like a challenge, but not one brought on by a game's limitations. If it's something like Resident Evil, where I'm fighting the controls as well as the bad guys, the game will generally have a short life in my system. Likewise, bad cameras, sloppy controls, poorly explained objectives aren't challenging...They're poor game design. Dying really doesn't matter in ones like that.

My ideal type of challenge is something that's in plain view, but it's always a question of whether or not I have what it takes to make it to the end. Old platformers like the original Castlevania series (none of the easy-ass Metrovania boredom) and Kid Icarus were ideal at this. RPG's where I come up just a little short in a fight, then spend 15-30 minutes rearranging equipment and still barely win are rewarding (some of the later fights in the Nippon Ichi games are particularly memorable, presuming you haven't over-leveled...One of those situations where every move counts and there are a ton of little aspects to keep track of). The Panic Mode of Super Buster Brothers was particularly memorable and older games with progressive difficulty (Galaga, Burger Time) are appealing. And I still wish I could go back to that first time playing through to the end of Super Punch Out...It seems really easy now, but it was both fun and challenging learning to beat the later opponents. And also, I'll admit I'm no good at schmups, but I welcome the chance to come back and keep playing just to get a LITTLE bit farther every time I play.

Jam it back in, in the dark.