The Hardest Games of THIS Generation

[Cuddly Knife]

What do Contra:Hard Corps, Bubble Bobble, The Immortal, Darkman, Bionic Commando, and Solar Jetman all have in common? They were(and still are) some of the hardest games to ever grace a home console. Those games tested nerves and controller endurance, with the games relying heavily on enemies at every possible position, death traps around every turn, and nail-biting platform jumps over bottomless pits up the wazzoo! Games were short, but that didn't stop them from being difficult. Also, there were usually no save points or very much extras like lives and power-ups and such. Just a lot of death. So anyways, what do you all think are the hardest games of this generation? This list should also include Dreamcast games, since I'm sure there were some hard ones. Also, I want games that are the most challenging, not games that took a lot of time to beat. So no RPG's. And I would like to note that I mean challenging as in how long it takes to master the game, get all unlockables, and other dealies.

Contra: Shattered Soldier(PS2)-Second hardest Contra game.
Ikaruga(GCN)-I've beat this game without continuing only once. Only once.
Viewtiful Joe(GCN)-Kids mode was very easy. Adults mode was nice and hard. Ultra V-Rated? STFU!
Shinobi(PS2)- I rented this game thinking that I would blow through it in two days. Boy, was I wrong!!
Super Mario Sunshine(GCN)-I got to seventy shines and beat Bowser, but I just can't beat any other levels, and some of the secret stages tear me a new one.

[Darwin]

Just as a starter, here are some very challenging games that I have played

1) Project Gotham Racing. IMO, this is the hardest overal racing game to date. It starts reasonably easy, but ramps up near the end chapters to a level that is unparalleled by most other racing games. The course designs with the cones are very cleverly designed, however they demand absolute perfection. One false maneuver, and you can lose half of your Kudos points. It got to the point near the end where I was spending about 2 hours redoing the same 4 minute race over and over. In addition, the AI near the end chapters becomes ruthless. They are not racing, but constantly ganging up on you. I've never seen AI this aggressive. Overall PG is extremely challenging to finish, but not necessarily a joy to finish. PG's predecessor, MSR, was a more enjoyable game to finish.

2) Ferarri F355 challenge. Unforgiving physics, intelligent AI. These alone make this game one of the hardest games to master.

[Whaxx]

Phhh,

Alright, try this
The Maw on Legendary BY YOUR SELF, most people are like ya thats easy! and then whoops!! they forgot to mention that what? you did it on Co-op didn't you, you cheap SOB!

[Tappy_Tibbons]

Metropolis Street Racer for Dreamcast...the prequel to PGR. OMG this frikkin game was tough. Unlike PGR, MSR would take kudos OFF for fumbled moves, and to be honest, I never even passed the first race.

[slade]

Devil May Cry's Dante Must Die mode. This game was much the same as Viewtiful Joe, difficulty wise.

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\">What do Contra:Hard Corps, Bubble Bobble, The Immortal, Darkman, Bionic Commando, and Solar Jetman all have in common? They were(and still are) some of the hardest games to ever grace a home console. Those games tested nerves and controller endurance, with the games relying heavily on enemies at every possible position, death traps around every turn, and nail-biting platform jumps over bottomless pits up the wazzoo! Games were short, but that didn't stop them from being difficult. Also, there were usually no save points or very much extras like lives and power-ups and such. Just a lot of death. So anyways, what do you all think are the hardest games of this generation? This list should also include Dreamcast games, since I'm sure there were some hard ones. Also, I want games that are the most challenging, not games that took a lot of time to beat. So no RPG's. And I would like to note that I mean challenging as in how long it takes to master the game, get all unlockables, and other dealies.

Contra: Shattered Soldier(PS2)-Second hardest Contra game.
Ikaruga(GCN)-I've beat this game without continuing only once. Only once.
Viewtiful Joe(GCN)-Kids mode was very easy. Adults mode was nice and hard. Ultra V-Rated? STFU!
Shinobi(PS2)- I rented this game thinking that I would blow through it in two days. Boy, was I wrong!!
Super Mario Sunshine(GCN)-I got to seventy shines and beat Bowser, but I just can't beat any other levels, and some of the secret stages tear me a new one.</div>


Hey, at least you beat Ikaruga. That game is beyond my old foggy hand-eye coordination level (still, I do well enough to make a lot of friends go "how the hell can you even play that at all.")

On Super Mario Sunshine, did you ever manage to get yoshi over to the little island with the warp pipe sealed by goo, and still have enough "juice" left in your stomach to vomit on the pipe so you could go down it? Now THAT is FREAKING HARD!!!!

[Bob-the-Fish]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Phhh,

Alright, try this
The Maw on Legendary BY YOUR SELF, most people are like ya thats easy! and then whoops!! they forgot to mention that what? you did it on Co-op didn't you, you cheap SOB!</div>

I thought the Library on legendary was harder then the Maw. I must have died 10 times before I got a shotgun (that promptly ran out of ammo!). And then the level just goes on and on. and on and on.... After that, the Maw was a breeze.

I haven't played any really hard games in while though.

[Cuddly Knife]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>
On Super Mario Sunshine, did you ever manage to get yoshi over to the little island with the warp pipe sealed by goo, and still have enough "juice" left in your stomach to vomit on the pipe so you could go down it? Now THAT is FREAKING HARD!!!!</div>
Getting to that stage was kind of easy, it was the actual stage that was the pain in the arse! All you have to do is get on the boat, then on the cruise to the other side there will be a fruit fill-up. Then you just jump onto the next boat to the island with plenty of juice. If I remember the actual stage, it was the one that made you ride a leaf down a river to collect coins. That blew, because you try to go fast and you miss coins, you try to go slow and the leaf disintagrates. It's needlessly hard. Another hard one is the stage under the overhang that the boats go under. It's the stage where you shoot up and try to land in the "pocket" that holds the red coins. That level had been the one instance while gaming on my Cube that I've thought about wanting to throw the controller.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

I think the toughest Halo levels on Legendary are the Truth and REconcilliation, Assault on the Control Room, and Two Betrayals. The Library was the 4rd easiest level...behind the first level, the silent cartographer and the 302 guilty spark level.

[Darwin]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Metropolis Street Racer for Dreamcast...the prequel to PGR. OMG this frikkin game was tough. Unlike PGR, MSR would take kudos OFF for fumbled moves, and to be honest, I never even passed the first race.</div>

I was one of the few people who stuck it through to the end with MSR. I finished all 25 chapters. One note of interest, one race in chapter 24: I completed the race (it gave me the check) with negative 400 points. The only way I was able to beat that Skyline was to literally smash into the walls instead of turning.

MSR was hard, but PGR is nigh-impossible. Even I cannot fully complete the last hidden chapter of PGR, but at least I got my +200,000 kudos and got my Ferrari.

[Darwin]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Devil May Cry's Dante Must Die mode. This game was much the same as Viewtiful Joe, difficulty wise.</div>

Dude, Devil May Cry on regular difficulty was almost too damn hard for me. How the hell did you make it to Dante Must Die mode?

[Darwin]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I think the toughest Halo levels on Legendary are the Truth and REconcilliation, Assault on the Control Room, and Two Betrayals. The Library was the 4rd easiest level...behind the first level, the silent cartographer and the 302 guilty spark level.</div>

I can imagine Truth and Reconsiliation would be very hard on Legendary. Particularly in that one area near the teleporter where you are fighting hoards of teleported enemies, grunts on the gun turrets, and finally the Hunters that teleport down. You start out coming through a bottle-necked area where the Covenant can have easy shots at you. And if you actually have Marines alive at that point, they usually die when coming out of that narrow crevice.

[Cuddly Knife]

Speaking of racing games, Gran Turismo A-Spec is a toughie. I still can't get the S license after having that game for years it seems. Also, there's F-Zero GX.

[slade]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

Dude, Devil May Cry on regular difficulty was almost too damn hard for me. How the hell did you make it to Dante Must Die mode?</div>

A year of perseverence.

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>
Getting to that stage was kind of easy, it was the actual stage that was the pain in the arse! All you have to do is get on the boat, then on the cruise to the other side there will be a fruit fill-up. Then you just jump onto the next boat to the island with plenty of juice. If I remember the actual stage, it was the one that made you ride a leaf down a river to collect coins. That blew, because you try to go fast and you miss coins, you try to go slow and the leaf disintagrates. It's needlessly hard. Another hard one is the stage under the overhang that the boats go under. It's the stage where you shoot up and try to land in the "pocket" that holds the red coins. That level had been the one instance while gaming on my Cube that I've thought about wanting to throw the controller.</div>


Yeah, I was talking about the stage, not the getting yoshi over. It was a nightmare. And that one you're talking about where you jump off the boat and into a hidden overhang above. . . the sort of "pinball" kind of stage. I had to do that one like ten times. That one pissed me off, and when it was over, I was like, "thank god I never have to do that again."

[Gadfly2317]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Speaking of racing games, Gran Turismo A-Spec is a toughie. I still can't get the S license after having that game for years it seems. Also, there's F-Zero GX.</div>


I took a break from Viewtiful Joe this weekend to go back and play F-Zero. This is an extremely difficult game. But it also has a lot of really cool stuff in it. I guess when I got it, I pretty much just focused on racing my Captain blue ship until I could get trophys for all the different championships. I didn't even try out anything but the first chapter on story mode. So this weekend I goofed around a bit (I had never ever read the instructions or checked out any of the other modes. In addition to being a hard racer, it has a lot of FUN extra stuff. I built a couple cool looking custom ships, bought some other race characters, and played through 3 more chapters of story mode. The story mode actually has some super cool challenges. I had played the first one (where you race around a track alone collecting cones with a time limit, and dismissed Story Mode as a stupid gimmick.) I especially liked the Canyon race where giant boulders are crashing across the road.

I had pretty much played this like an old F-zero; I'm glad I spent some time exploring the other areas of the game finally. I'll probably play this one the rest of the week until I pick up my Xbox friday.

I also finally got someone to come over with skills enough to play two player, and that was a lot of fun too. And I learned something: This is one of the few games that I cannot drink and still drive pretty well.

[no.1gamer]

Well I'm glad that Super Mario Sunshine was mentioned. Despite this game being referred to as a "kiddy" game, it has been known to bring grown men down to their knees, crying like little girls (myself included).

Also Darwin, when you mention Ferrari F355 challenge are you referring to a console game? I'm only aware of the arcade Ferrari F355 challenge. I don't like it because it's too much of a "racing simulation" for an arcade machine. However, as a console game it would be a different story.

[Darwin]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Also Darwin, when you mention Ferrari F355 challenge are you referring to a console game? I'm only aware of the arcade Ferrari F355 challenge. I don't like it because it's too much of a "racing simulation" for an arcade machine. However, as a console game it would be a different story.</div>

Ferarri F355 challenge is available for the Dreamcast and the PS2. I own it for PS2. It encorporates the same physics engine as the arcade version does. However, the PS2 version does not utilize the right analogue stick, nor does it even use the pressure sensitive buttons. Therefore, all acceleration/braking input using the Dualshock 2 is completely digital, i.e. on and off. In order to even play the game on the PS2, you need the Logitech force feedback wheel so you can then use the pedals to get that variable input of acceleration/braking.

[no.1gamer]

<div class=\"smallfont\"><div class=\"smallfont\"></div>

Ferarri F355 challenge is available for the Dreamcast and the PS2. I own it for PS2. It encorporates the same physics engine as the arcade version does. However, the PS2 version does not utilize the right analogue stick, nor does it even use the pressure sensitive buttons. Therefore, all acceleration/braking input using the Dualshock 2 is completely digital, i.e. on and off. In order to even play the game on the PS2, you need the Logitech force feedback wheel so you can then use the pedals to get that variable input of acceleration/braking.</div>

Considering the elaborate design of the Arcade Machine I would imagine the Logitech Force Feedback wheel would give you a "realistic" driving experience. IMO that makes a great racing simulation with "cool factor" for the PS2, but an arcade game that is not fun.

BTW Darwin, I own the Logitech Force Feedback wheel for the Gamecube. I'm looking forward to playing Mario Kart: Double Dash!! with it. According to Nintendo the game will support the wheel to its full potential. Initially this sounds silly for a game that doesn't exactly have "realistic" game physics. But imagine the wheel shaking violently every time you get clocked with a red turtle shell? Or how about trying to steer (with force feedback in full effect) while spinning uncontrollably after driving over a banana peal?

[trebor]

I don't know about anyone else, but I thought getting Gold Medals in Rogue Leader was incredibly tough. One minor mistake was usually the difference between a Gold and a Silver.

Rebel Strike is similar, except I think that the flawed "on-foot" portions actually make it even more difficult to get Gold Medals.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

lol @ Cubites while they deal with foot levels.

[trebor]

lol @ Cubites while they deal with foot levels.

Lol @ Tappy while he cries about "Action Replay cheaters on Live". Boo hoo.

Cheats and hacks based on a Micro$oft operating system? What a shock.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

and Juice, dude, Bionic Commando was EASY, all you had to do was collect a bunch of bullets in the first level and max out your life bar.

[dafunkdoc]

Tabby is right Bonic Commando was not very hard and The Truth and Reconciliation is hardest level legerdary level. The Maw is cake after the second half of that level.

My vote F-zero's story mode. It is down right frusrating. I'll also put a vote down for Stuntman. Oh I never got the S-license either.

[OLDSKOOl77]

Total Carnage On Super Is Hard As Nails Still Haven't Beaten It..along With Maximo.. Contra Shattered Soilders..

Super C..
Super R Type..streets Of Rage 2(on Mania Mode)

Just To Name A Few..
I Have A Gamecube And Still Dont' Have Mario Sunshine.."yeah What's Wrong Wit Me Right!!"


-oldskool

[Static_Fred]

I thought Maximo was a tough cookie. It felt like i had to earn every piece of the game, for instance you had to save up tokens to save? (what the..?) Even though i'm a fan of these types of platforms, it quickly turned into a frustrating experience...

[Glockstar]

I would have to concur with the following:

Project Gotham Racing - In the beginning... there was FUN! And it was GOOD! But then, just after the "silver level", Bizarre Creations said, 'let there be a wall'! And that was it. :(

Ikaruga - I've got a problem with this game. But... I have not said anything good about the GameCube in awhile so I better watch what I say here... else somebody miscontrue my words and think that I'm just out to bash on it some more. Yet even so, and despite my problems with it, I do realize that this is one legitimately, very, difficult game. I'm with Gadfly... I don't know how anyone can beat it!

Devil May Cry - Telling me that I've just done something "cool" is one way to get on my good side. And, not coincidentally, it is the thing that puts this game over the top for me (it's why I like it so well)! Call me simple, or easy... if you want to. Just don't call me a sadomasochist. While I love being told that I'm "cool", I start questioning whether somebody, or something (i.e this game), really means it, after they/it: rakes me across the coals, beats me down, stomps on me, uses/misuses, and generally abuses me for so long. And I'm starting to wonder if this game isn't just... effin with me.

As far as Halo on Legendary (which, for those of you unfamiliar, is two difficuly levels past normal) goes...
I question people who say they've beaten this level too! Maybe, co-op...
But alone?!? No frickin' way!

The farthest I can get is on the Truth and Reconciliation level too. (For those of you unfamiliar, it's the third level.) Right up to the part where you're gravity lifted up into the alien ship...
and then hit with wave after wave of sharp shootin' jackals, grenade tossin' grunts, and jiminy-jumping-jack-rabbits... stealth elites armed with instant death!!! After about... a thousand tries... I have gotten past all of them - twice - only to have my azz immediately handed to me by two (muthah!) hunters! Fahgeddaboutit! It's impossible, I tell you!!!

[trebor]

I forgot to mention Super Monkey Ball 2. The single player game has some downright devious levels once you get past the Beginner and Intermediate levels. I still haven't gotten past the Advanced level.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

<div class=\"smallfont\">

As far as Halo on Legendary (which, for those of you unfamiliar, is two difficuly levels past normal) goes...
I question people who say they've beaten this level too! Maybe, co-op...
But alone?!? No frickin' way!

The farthest I can get is on the Truth and Reconciliation level too. (For those of you unfamiliar, it's the third level.) Right up to the part where you're gravity lifted up into the alien ship...
and then hit with wave after wave of sharp shootin' jackals, grenade tossin' grunts, and jiminy-jumping-jack-rabbits... stealth elites armed with instant death!!! After about... a thousand tries... I have gotten past all of them - twice - only to have my azz immediately handed to me by two (muthah!) hunters! Fahgeddaboutit! It's impossible, I tell you!!!</div>

Man, I did it a long time ago, finished Legendary but I was stuck in that same part for hours...here's a tip...

plasma pistol w/ assault rifle = best weapon combo vs. covenant in game.

It's moments like that that make me wonder how the hell Half Life is still considered so great...no moments in HL had me terrified for my life like when I was beamed up into the alien ship in T&R.

[Static_Fred]

I think HL is still considered so great is because it was one of the first genre defying games that came out a long time ago (wasn't it 1999?).
I think games such as Thief and HL seriously took developers back to the drawing boards to try to reinvent the traditional FPS.

[Cuddly Knife]

Ikaruga is all about patterns and seeing more than two things at once. I can't really explain it, but I think that my being a percussionist helps a lot in my abilities as a gamer(there's not a rythmic game that I haven't mastered). Especially in a game like Ikaruga, where you have to concentrate on moving your ship to avoid the right colors of bullets, all while changing your polarity to best take out the enemies and rack up points to gain extra lives. Well I guess that I could explain it; I think it has to do with my ability to move my fingers individually. You know, multi-coordination. I don't have to concentrate on the controller, making it easier to memorize the stage and enemy layouts.

[trebor]

Ikaruga is all about patterns and seeing more than two things at once. I can't really explain it, but I think that my being a percussionist helps a lot in my abilities as a gamer(there's not a rythmic game that I haven't mastered). Especially in a game like Ikaruga, where you have to concentrate on moving your ship to avoid the right colors of bullets, all while changing your polarity to best take out the enemies and rack up points to gain extra lives. Well I guess that I could explain it; I think it has to do with my ability to move my fingers individually. You know, multi-coordination. I don't have to concentrate on the controller, making it easier to memorize the stage and enemy layouts.

Between you, me and Gadfly, we could form a band. I play bass and I recall that Gadfly plays guitar.

[Cuddly Knife]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Between you, me and Gadfly, we could form a band. I play bass and I recall that Gadfly plays guitar.</div>
Heh, that would be interesting. We could play tripped-out versions of VG music, and we'd kick ass on the Mini-Bosses! Of course, we probably live thousands of miles away from each other, and our music tastes might be a little bit varied, but...fuggit.
For those who don't know, The Mini-Bosses are a band that's dedicated to playing old-school Nintendo tunes from such games as Mario, Contra, Castlevania, and maybe others. Personally, I think they are pretty weak, but some others might like them. Here's a link to some of their tunes on MP3.com:
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/226/minibosses.html

[trebor]

Heh, that would be interesting. We could play tripped-out versions of VG music, and we'd kick ass on the Mini-Bosses! Of course, we probably live thousands of miles away from each other, and our music tastes might be a little bit varied, but...fuggit.
For those who don't know, The Mini-Bosses are a band that's dedicated to playing old-school Nintendo tunes from such games as Mario, Contra, Castlevania, and maybe others. Personally, I think they are pretty weak, but some others might like them. Here's a link to some of their tunes on MP3.com:
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/226/minibosses.html

That's pretty funny. I actually used to play the Super Mario Bros. sewer riff between songs, during gigs, in my old band.

I don't know about the logistics, since we very well could live 1000's of miles apart, but it would be interesting, to say the least. I even have a name we could use...

The Kitty-Cubers

Tell me that isn't an arena tour waiting to happen. Maybe Nintendo could endorse us.