Within the Soulslike gaming sphere, FromSoftware stands unrivaled. Known for their notoriously challenging titles, players often find themselves needing to “git gud”to conquer their formidable challenges.
Nonetheless, *Elden Ring* offers a unique twist. While not easy by any measure, it’s often regarded as FromSoftware’s most accessible game to date. If you’ve cruised through *Elden Ring* without breaking a sweat, countless avenues exist to amplify the difficulty for your next venture.
If you’ve achieved victory in *Elden Ring*, it’s likely you’ve dabbled in other entries from the Soulsborne genre. But let’s not forget: difficult gaming experiences extend beyond FromSoftware’s titles.
Back in the days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming, difficulty stemmed from various factors, including clunky controls, limited technology, and deliberate design choices. Players often found themselves trapped on the same level for what felt like eternity.
For gamers seeking an authentic challenge reminiscent of yesteryears, let’s explore 10 retro games that arguably present a tougher journey than *Elden Ring*.
10.Prince of Persia
Sands of Pain
Often associated with *The Sands of Time*, the original *Prince of Persia*, launched in 1989, laid the groundwork for this beloved franchise. While it has numerous ports, the MS-DOS version and SNES adaptation stand out.
Players control an unnamed hero imprisoned in a palace dungeon, tasked with rescuing the princess from the villainous Jaffer, who has usurped the Sultan’s throne. With only 60 minutes—120 in the SNES iteration—to accomplish this goal, the clock is constantly ticking.
Featuring 12 levels in the original game and an expanded 20 in the SNES version, *Prince of Persia* combines action, platforming, and engaging boss battles. This is a must-play for anyone seeking a genuine challenge.
9.Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
The Mushrooms Here Can Kill You
Shifting gears to the platforming realm, we find another challenge featuring everyone’s beloved plumber, Mario. The version in focus is the original Japanese *Super Mario Bros.2* from the Famicom Disk System, not the American adaptation, which was remade from *Doki Doki Panic*.
Right from the get-go, players encounter a new black mushroom that, instead of granting power, spells instant doom for Mario. This shocking introduction sets the tone for myriad hidden traps and challenges reminiscent of the infamous Kaizo blocks—perfectly timed obstacles that can send players to their demise before they even realize what hit them.
Fortunately, players enjoy infinite continues, allowing them to press on without losing their progress entirely.
8.Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
The Difficulty Is Strong With This One
If those frigid *Elden Ring* sections had you grumbling, prepare yourself for an uphill battle in *Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back* which kicks off on a slippery snowy mountainside.
The difficulty ramps up quickly, as players must master the clunky mechanics of lightsaber combat while contending with hordes of enemies. Each hit can decimate Luke’s health, with healing items providing minimal restoration. To compound the challenge, you only receive three continues before facing a nerve-wracking Game Over screen with Yoda.
This challenging experience is tempered by its faithful recreation of iconic movie moments, from battling AT-ATs to confronting Darth Vader.
7.Contra III: The Alien Wars
Bill Rizer and Lance Bean Are Back
No list of challenging games can exclude the *Contra* series. Originating from the NES, *Contra III: The Alien Wars* was notable for introducing multiple difficulty settings: Easy, Normal, and Hard. However, only the Hard mode allows players to unlock the true ending.
Even with different settings, the gameplay remains demanding, featuring only six stages that require players to remain on their toes. While you can choose your starting lives—3, 5, or 7—the core experience remains intense.
Unique power-ups and bomb mechanics enhance the experience, making *Contra III* a classic that still presents a formidable challenge against the backdrop of *Elden Ring*’s difficulties.
6.Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse
Please No More Stairs
Known for its brutally punishing gameplay, *Castlevania III* is synonymous with challenges posed by flying Medusa heads and precarious staircases.
The game’s mechanics can mislead players into thinking hearts replenish health, when instead, they serve as ammunition for special attacks—real health restoration is nearly impossible to come by.
Brutal enemy encounters deplete your health rapidly. Mastering the jump mechanics becomes essential to avoid lethal knockbacks that send you tumbling into oblivion.
Unique character choices allow for different gameplay experiences, with multiple endings dependent on your choices throughout the game.
5.Contra: Hard Corps
Contra Hard, (Now I’m A) Corps(e)
With the anticipated *Operation Galuga* on the horizon, many reminisce about the iconic *Contra: Hard Corps*.This Sega Genesis classic features four characters and boasts an exceptional six endings—an impressive feat for its time.
Players embark on a mission to thwart an uprising of rogue robots, where the action becomes increasingly challenging as deeper conspiracies unfold. The game retains its notoriously tough reputation; the U. S.and Korean versions were so daunting that the Japanese version increased the life meter and eliminated power-up penalties upon death.
4.Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom
No More Infinite Continues
*Ninja Gaiden III* elevates the franchise’s challenge, mandating a more aggressive playstyle and removing the luxury of infinite continues. Players receive only five continues, and the stakes are higher than ever.
With enhanced mechanics and the introduction of the Dragon Spirit Sword, players face daunting foes across visually stunning levels. Success requires precision and timing, making it a standout in the series.
3.Silver Surfer
Weakest Cosmic Being Of All Time
Defined by its unforgiving gameplay, *Silver Surfer* exemplifies what a bullet hell should be. The protagonist is so fragile that any contact with enemies or environmental hazards results in instant death.
The overwhelming barrage of projectiles and camouflaged enemies demands acute awareness. Frequent deaths often arise from unclear mechanics, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
2.Battletoads
Do Not Play This Game With A Friend
*Battletoads* seamlessly blends engaging beat-’em-up mechanics with infuriating difficulty. Players Rash and Zitz embark on a rescue mission fraught with peril, from dodging enemies to navigating treacherous levels.
As players move from combat against low-level enemies to the infamous Turbo Tunnel, where timing is everything, the game demands undivided attention. Introducing a second player increases difficulty exponentially due to the cooperative mechanics that can often become more harmful than helpful.
1.Ghosts ‘N Goblins
Two Hits Is All It Takes
Rounding out our list is *Ghosts ‘N Goblins*, not the most visually appealing, but undeniably challenging. Players control Sir Arthur, who must brave hordes of enemies to rescue the kidnapped princess Prin-Prin.
This title is relentless, combining a time limit with tough enemy encounters, where even two hits—regardless of the enemy—will spell demise. The twist? After completing the six levels, players discover that all was an illusion and must face the monsters again, this time under even harsher conditions.
*Ghosts ‘N Goblins* is the ultimate test of skill and perseverance, rewarding those who dare to conquer its depths.
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