Hard

Video game concept

Extremely hard, requiring player to memorize levels, repeat the whole game over and over again (usually memorizing something new each time), throwing nigh impossible challenges at the player and so forth.

123
games
34
platforms

Alternate name: Nintendo Hard

In effect, most players just give up, or are warned beforehand to never even try these (because of the insane difficulty, not because they're bad per se).

Does not require any of the tags to be applicable that state unnecessary hardness like instant death or lack of any save/retry functionality, games can still be extremely hard to a point that people just don't want to play them again.

These also have a habit of having the first few levels as somewhat easy, but the difficulty tends to shoot up at some point and stay there.

Also if the player is required to utilize knowledge and/or skills (not provided in-game) far above common knowledge or ability. Such as advanced math or science, extremely complete knowledge of a subject, and/or rapid thought and/or control actions above human norms.

Limitations:
* If multiple difficulty levels exist and something easier is selectable which does not cut the experience short (yes, there are games that do not allow playing the game through on "too easy" difficulty), this tag does NOT count.

Players who pointedly play these kinds of games and try to beat them quite seriously are sometimes called masochistic players.

Popular tags

hackandslash interactivefiction lifesimulation manicshooter metroidvania paniclike platformer platformhell precisionplatformer robotodyssey roguelite runandgun scrollingshooter zelda-universe zeldalike

Parent group

Quirks

Games by year

7981838587899193959799010305070911131517192123 123690

The first Hard video game was released in 1979.

Retroguru, Alligata and The Learning Company published most of these games.

Related site

Platforms

Linux 44
Windows 18
NES 11
Apple II E 6
MS-DOS 4
Mac OS Classic 3
Tandy Coco 2
GP2X 2
GameCube 2
Dreamcast 2
BSD 2
Mac OS X 2
GB 2
Mega Drive 2
C64 2
C16/Plus4 1
Wii 1
Amstrad CPC 1
VIC-20 1
Apple IIGS 1
PS4 1
Xbox One 1
Arcade 1
Amiga AGA 1
BBC 1
PS Vita 1
Electron 1
Amstrad PCW 1
Amiga 1
TRS-80 1