With the popularity of games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne increasing over the years, gamers have rediscovered the joy of difficult games which punish you for making mistakes.
However, compared to some of the games that have been created over the years, modern challenging titles seem like a cakewalk.
If you really want to put your gaming skills to the test, try completing one of the games below.
Contra
The Contra games are famed for being exceptionally difficult, with fast, dangerous enemies and unpredictable bosses able to easily kill you instantly.
As side-scrolling, 2D shooters go, Contra is one of the most difficult games ever created.
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Gaiden is another series which is known for its punishing gameplay.
While it is barely manageable at lower difficulty levels, ramping up the difficulty to the highest setting makes the game almost impossible to beat.
Stuntman
Stuntman is an action-adventure racing game sees the character take on the role of a film stuntman who has to perform various dangerous stunts.
The game’s stunts are difficult and almost impossible to complete perfectly.
Devil Daggers
The only modern game to make it on this list, Devil Daggers was released in February 2016, and is purposefully punishing toward the player.
Players are simply tasked with surviving as long as possible against hordes of grotesque demonic enemies.
The ability to fire daggers at enemies allows you to clear out some of the monsters, but the difficulty of the game increases constantly the longer you are alive.
Battletoads
Battletoads is a classic co-op platformer for the NES which was well-known for its difficult levels.
The game is praised by critics, but players should be warned of its punishing difficulty and subsequent ability to cause frustration.
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I prefer the other version of Contra – With the guys in the Red and Blue pants.
Almost impossible? Try Super Meat Boy – Dark World