This morning, I happened to catch a new video from GameTrailers counting down the ten most difficult games of all time. I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not any of the challenging video games I had encountered in my lifetime would be represented. As it turns out, yes, several of the NES classics that reside in my collection but have never been beaten are notably hard. I actually feel a lot better about myself knowing that I’m not the only one never to finish The Adventure of Link. And don’t even get me started on Battletoads.

Check out the video for yourselves, or if you’re too lazy, I’ve got the full list for you below.



10. Contra (NES)
9. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES)
8. Castlevania (NES)
7. Devil May Cry 3 (PS2)
6. Shinobi (PS2)
5. Ikaruga (GameCube, XBLA)
4. F-Zero GX (GameCube)
3. Ninja Gaiden (series)
2. Ghouls & Ghosts (series)
1. Battletoads (NES)


So what do you think? Anything you definitely agree with? Is there anything not represented that you feel should make the list? I might have put Super Mario Bros. 2: The Lost Levels up there somewhere. I mean, a game that was not released in the U.S. because it was too hard? That game is a jerk!

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