Nintendo isn’t known for its painstaking difficult games, but there are plenty of exceptions. Escapists who want an immersive open-world should look no further thanThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.It’s a diverse game lush with subtle details. Thepuzzles,boss fights,dungeons, and non-linear quests are unlike any other game.
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The following games are unique, but they all offer a challenge greater thanThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.French playwright Molière said, “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” Only a real Nintendo fanboy (or fangirl) could beat all of these games.
9F-Zero GX (Nintendo GameCube)
The mascot of theF-Zeroseries, Captian Falcon, knows his way around the race track like few other Nintendo characters.F-Zero GXis the only F-Zerovideo game available on the Nintendo GameCube.
It’s one of the more arduous games of the series, especially on the Master setting. Few people attempt the Master setting because of the overwhelming nature of the game. The game teases you as you endure the high-speed movements of vehicles like the Blue Falcon. This game requires track memorization and quick reflexes.
8Bart Vs. The Space Mutants (NES)
AlthoughBart Vs. The Space Mutantsis a phenomenal Nintendo Entertainment System game, it could’ve benefited from an easier beginning section. It soon becomes clear thatBart Vs. The Space Mutantsisn’t as easygoing asThe Simpsonstelevision series.Bart Vs. The Space Mutantsisn’t known for platforming like many games of the era, but rather its tricky puzzles. It offers a more challenging experience thanThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
7Jet Force Gemini (Nintendo 64)
WhenRare was the leading Nintendo 64 game developer,one of their hardest games wasJet Force Gemini.It offered no tutorial level, and using a wobbly Nintendo 64 joystick was less than ideal.
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The game’s sprawling levels were groundbreaking at its time of release. Nowadays, we look at open-worlds likeThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildand marvel at how such a non-linear game is easier thanJet Force Gemini.
6Donkey Kong Country Returns (Nintendo Wii)
Aside from Mario and Link, Donkey Kong is Nintendo’s most famous character. Donkey Kong first appeared in the 1981 gameDonkey Kong,in which Donkey Kong was the villain, and Jumpman (now Mario) was the hero. It was a classic tale of a damsel in distress, and it’s a key piece of Nintendo history. Fast forward to the Wii;Donkey Kong Country Returnsis a platformer and possiblyWii’s most challenging game.
5The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (Nintendo Switch)
PlayingThe Binding of Issacon hard mode, a mode incorporated inThe Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, is no cakewalk. The enemies appear in greater numbers and require more effort to defeat. Also, you’re far more likely to be cursed and drop eternal hearts. This hidden gem of theNintendo Switchhappens to be one of the platform’s most difficult games.The Binding of Isaac: Rebirthis quaint, yet novice gamers need not play its hardest difficulty.
4The Legend Of Zelda (NES)
If it weren’t for strategy guides, this game would be almost impossible to beat. WhileZelda II: The Adventure of Linkrequires more practice to beat combat sequences, the original TheLegend of Zelda’sconfusing world makes progression puzzling.
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The originalThe Legend of Zeldahas many of the same gameplay elements asBreath of the Wild. You play as Link, and it involves rescuing Princess Zelda from the deviant Ganon. Navigating through dungeons is still perplexing, and you’ll have to quicksave more times than inBreath of the Wild.
3Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link (NES)
The original 8-bitZeldagames that released for the Nintendo Entertainment System are wayharder thanThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.The 8-bit generation contained a different class of games. You’ll have to save before every fight for the chance to progress slowly. After you’ve been the game once or twice, however,Zelda II: The Adventure Of Linkis easier. This underappreciated game deserves recognition for layingBreath of the Wild’s framework.
2Battletoads (NES)
The Nintendo Entertainment System was meant to be a home family console, yet there are exceptions. We can name at least a dozen games not intended for children because of their hardcore difficulty.
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Beat ‘em up gameBattletoadsisTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesinspired. You play as a toad instead of a turtle, but both involve martial arts and are totally awesome.Battletoadshas a two-player mode, which makes it even more difficult. Please, let’s not mentionthe impossible turbo tunnel stage.
1Super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts (SNES)
Super Ghouls ‘N Ghostsis pervasive for its punishing difficulty. It wouldn’t be a stretch to call it the hardestSuper Nintendo Entertainment Systemgame ever made. When you die, you lose all your gear and weapons. You’ll be caught in its traps and relentless enemies; this game was designed for you to fail.
To the game’s credit, it does featurebeautiful pixel art.The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildis gorgeous on a different level, but it was released decades later.
Ikaruga (Nintendo Switch)
This game has gained notoriety for being the most difficult game on the Nintendo Switch. It was initially released in Japan arcades in 2001. Contrary to expectations,Ikarugadoes not make you want a refund. It’s likeDark Soulsbecause you expect excruciatingly difficult gameplay. One could beat this game in a couple of hours, but it’ll probably take you much longer. Oh, and it’s way moredifficult thanBreath of the Wild.
