10 Retro Games That Are Harder Than Elden Ring

In terms of the Souls-like genre, no competitor can match the prowess of FromSoftware. Their titles are infamous for their challenging nature, requiring significant skill improvement, or as some say, “leveling up your skills,” to stand a chance of victory.

Unlike their other games, Elden Ring deviates from the usual difficulty level. It’s not a stroll in the park, but rather a challenge. Yet, its reputation makes it FromSoft’s most approachable game, offering numerous ways to alter your subsequent playthroughs for a fresh experience.

If you’ve conquered it, there’s a good chance you’ve also experienced or dabbled in other titles from the Soulsborne series. However, it’s important to note that FromSoftware isn’t the sole master of challenging games. Other developers are renowned for creating tough gaming experiences as well.

In the days of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming, numerous challenging titles existed. These difficulties could stem from various factors such as tricky controls, limited hardware capabilities, or strategic game design. You’d often find yourself stuck on a single level for extended periods, sometimes even lasting an entire day.

If you’re hankering for a taste of classic gaming and up for a tough time, here are ten vintage games that pack a punch even more intense than Elden Ring.

10. Prince Of Persia

Sands Of Pain

In conversations about the Prince of Persia series, many people often associate it with the highly acclaimed The Sands of Time. However, it’s important to remember that the initial game that kickstarted the whole franchise was simply titled “Prince of Persia,” which was first released in 1989.

Among the various adaptations of this game, the two standout versions are the one designed for MS-DOS systems and the one specifically developed for Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

In this tale, we take on the role of an anonymous hero, suddenly imprisoned within the castle dungeons due to treacherous circumstances. The palace is under new rule, with Jaffer having seized power from the Sultan and abducted the princess. Faced with a grim decision, she has only two options: either marry the usurper or face certain death.

In our game, you have 60 minutes (or up to 120 minutes if you’re playing the SNES version) to rescue the princess. However, having extra time doesn’t guarantee the task will be any simpler. The original game consisted of 12 levels, but the SNES version has 20 for a more challenging experience.

Prince of Persia offers a comprehensive blend of action and adventure, featuring challenging platforming segments, captivating level designs, and thrilling boss battles. Whether you prefer the original or the enhanced visuals, this game is not to be missed by those ready for an exciting challenge.

9. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

The Mushrooms Here Can Kill You

Moving on to platform games, we’ll soon explore a creation from everyone’s beloved Italian plumber, Mario. Just to clarify, the game in question is the Japanese release of Super Mario Bros. 2 for the Famicom disc system, not the American version which was a remake of Doki Doki Panic.

At the initial stage of this game, there’s a fresh black mushroom introduced, which wasn’t part of the initial version. Eager to explore its capabilities, rather than making Mario grow, this fungus instantly eliminates him.

Following these instances, I can’t help but feel the adrenaline surge, knowing that there are plenty more heart-stopping moments ahead in this game. For instance, it was the break of dawn for the Kaizo block – an impeccably hidden trap, invisible to the eye, ready to hurl me towards certain death before I even had a clue what was coming.

Fortunately, you have unlimited chances to try again. Instead of returning to the main menu after a game loss, you’ll be able to resume from the opening level of the last world you played.

8. Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

The Difficulty Is Strong With This One

If you found the Consecrated Snowfields in Elden Ring unappealing, get ready for an exciting twist! Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back kicks off amidst a snow-covered mountain range.

The concept of facing an arduous struggle was transformed into a more manageable stage. Given the persistent snowfall and treacherously slick surfaces, tread with caution as you advance.

Engaging in combat gives you a sense of being a Padawan, as wielding the lightsaber for the first time is strange, much like Luke handling a baseball bat. Adapting to combat could take some practice, and you’ll find yourself frequently encountering enemies on the ground and in the sky, providing ample opportunity for training.

With each blow, Luke sustains significant damage; however, the tiny hearts you occasionally earn from vanquishing foes barely cover a quarter of the health you’ve lost. Moreover, this game offers only three chances before displaying a Yoda-themed Game Over screen that resembles a jump scare.

This game might seem like a complaint at first, but what makes it great is its difficult nature. There’s so much to appreciate, such as how accurately it replicates iconic scenes from the film—from taking down the AT-AT walkers, to the moment Han Solo gets frozen in carbonite, and not least of all, the battle against Darth Vader.

7. Contra III: The Alien Wars

Bill Rizer And Lance Bean Are Back

If we’re talking about a list of challenging games, Contra is definitely one that should be included. This game has been cherished since its days on the NES. Whether you managed to complete it using the S power, without any boosts, or by employing the Konami code for additional lives, Contra remains a fond memory for numerous gamers.

Instead of maintaining a constant level of challenge like the NES games, Contra III: The Alien Wars on SNES offered three modes: Easy, Normal, and Hard. This feature might have been appreciated as it made the game more approachable for beginners, but it’s crucial to know that only by completing it in Hard mode can you unlock the game’s true ending.

Fortunately, for those who simply wish to play through the entire game, the Normal mode ought to be more than sufficient. Notably, this game consists of merely six levels. Remarkably, the Options menu provides an opportunity for you to select if you prefer starting with 3, 5, or even 7 lives.

In this game, you’ll find two power-ups as an addition to the series and a powerful bomb that eliminates all enemies in sight, causing significant harm to the bosses.

If you’re hankering for some traditional shoot-’em-up excitement, Contra III: The Alien Wars delivers just that. Although it might be slightly easier to navigate compared to certain other games in the series, it remains a considerably tougher journey than exploring the world of Elden Ring.

6. Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

Please No More Stairs

Name a more iconic duo than flying Medusa heads and stairs in Castlevania. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve noticed that while Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden share many common elements, there are certain challenges that Ninja Gaiden managed to sidestep, given its release after Castlevania. This doesn’t diminish the quality of Castlevania in any way, but it’s generally more demanding in terms of difficulty.

In the game, hearts might seem like they function to boost your health, but actually, they serve as ammunition for your throwable weapons. To regain your health points (HP), you’ll need to hunt down scarce resources such as meat. Therefore, it’s crucial to minimize getting hit and focus on evasion strategies instead.

In this game, you’ll frequently face enemies who reduce your Health Points (HP) by two with each attack. Given that you start with 16 HP bars, it implies you can sustain a maximum of eight attacks before being defeated. However, that’s not even the most challenging aspect of the game.

One inconvenient scenario occurs when you leap and as you’re moments away from touching down on a platform, you’re struck by Medusa, pushed back, and ultimately tumble off-screen, forfeiting your health points and a life.

This game stands out due to the unique feature where you can assume control over three distinct characters who alternately take the place of Trevor Belmont. Each character contributes significantly to the storyline, as the outcome – specifically the ending – varies depending on which character or none, you choose to accompany you throughout your journey.

5. Contra: Hard Corps

Contra Hard, (Now I’m A) Corps(e)

In 2024 with Operation Galuga, Contra returned to its origins on the NES. However, among all Contra games, Hard Corps for the Sega Genesis stands out as the absolute best.

In this Contra game, there were four distinct characters you could play as, and it offered six varying outcomes – a rarity to see this combination in any Contra series. Each character even had unique power-ups at their disposal.

In this game, you have the choice to play as Ray, Sheena, Fang, or Browny. Your mission begins by halting the destruction wreaked by rogue robots in the city who are targeting innocent civilians. After overcoming the initial boss, Deadeye Joe, you uncover a more intricate plot behind the city’s attack.

Following Colonel Bahamut’s attempted coup, which ultimately fell through, he has resurfaced and is now hatching a new scheme involving the Alien Cell. Your mission is to thwart his plans.

This game is infamously tough, yet it’s definitely worth persevering through if you’ve got the stamina for one of the toughest games in the series.

In both the American and Korean adaptations of this game, the difficulty level was so high that the creators of the Japanese version increased the player’s life meter by adding three additional bars. Unlike the other editions, losing a bar in the Japanese version does not cause you to lose your power-ups.

4. Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom

No More Infinite Continues

If you found the jump section on level 6-2 challenging in the initial game, prepare for more complex maneuvers in Ninja Gaiden III. Compared to the first installment, this sequel significantly enhances its mechanics.

The initial two installments of this series differ significantly from the third one in two key aspects. Primarily, it’s about your strategy when playing. Unlike the previous games, a more assertive approach is necessary for victory. It’s advisable to obtain the Dragon Spirit Sword consistently, as it greatly boosts your chances of success.

In this game, we’ve introduced a fresh feature that amplifies the reach of your sword, significantly impacting how you vanquish your foes.

As a gamer, let me tell you that in this game, I’ve got just five lives to live through. If I bite the dust on level 4-2 during my initial run, I don’t start over completely; instead, I pick up right where I left off on the same level, albeit not exactly at the spot I perished.

In this game, the mechanic allowing multiple attempts remains, but you now have a maximum of 5 chances to continue. Once these are exhausted, you’ll be forced to restart from the very beginning of Act 1.

Although it’s challenging, it’s equally enjoyable, and among the finest versions of the classic Ninja Gaiden series.

It might be tough, but it’s also a blast, and ranks high in the original Ninja Gaiden series for quality.

3. Silver Surfer

Weakest Cosmic Being Of All Time

The Silver Surfer embodies the essence of what a “bullet hell” game could be. To make matters more challenging, our protagonist perishes upon contact with the enemy, their attacks, or even if they brush against any part of the playing field, such as walls or ceilings. This combination results in an experience that’s quite demanding and tough.

In many instances, you may find yourself struggling with maintaining your mental composure rather than the game’s adversaries, as quite a few deaths within the game can come across as senseless and frustratingly irrational.

What really diminishes the enjoyment of this game is how frequently enemies and projectiles merge with the backdrop. Consequently, you essentially have to remain vigilant about every detail within your vicinity while playing.

Regrettably, this game seems to lean towards poor design, as frequently, your death doesn’t seem justified. This is particularly true when you die by accidentally touching the stage instead of an enemy. After playing a round, the image of a vanquished Silver Surfer may linger in your memory.

2. Battletoads

Do Not Play This Game With A Friend

In a nutshell, Battletoads is an enjoyable yet challenging brawling game where you control characters Rash and Zitz. Their objective is to save their abducted companions, Pimple and Princess Angelica. However, before they can do that, they must conquer the malevolent Dark Queen first.

The initial stage offers a more relaxed experience as you battle Psyko-Pigs and dragons to confront the boss, Tall Walker. In this phase, you must skillfully dodge Tall Walker’s lasers while throwing rocks at it. However, the game’s difficulty ramps up quickly from the second level onward. A single misstep, coupled with bothersome crows, could lead to a fatal fall.

In this game, complacency won’t keep you winning. If you’re not attentive enough, even the common enemies can deal significant damage to your health. This game is particularly challenging, with one of the toughest levels ever created – the Turbo Tunnel – requiring quick reflexes to avoid oncoming obstacles.

If you found all of that challenging, let me tell you, things get even more intricate with a second player joining the fray. Battletoads, however, has friendly fire activated, which means you and your buddy might accidentally attack each other. To make matters worse, if either of you meets an untimely demise, it results in a game over for both of you.

Fortunately, boasting stunning graphics and an exceptional soundtrack, there’s far more to appreciate about this game than to criticize, despite the possibility of frequent deaths on your part.

1. Ghosts ‘N Goblins

Two Hits Is All It Takes

Lastly, the final title on our list is Ghosts ‘n Goblins. While it might not boast the best graphics among these games, if you’re up for a truly difficult challenge, there are a handful of NES games that can deliver a tough experience without compromising on game design.

Similar to numerous tales in this collection, this game revolves around rescuing a captured princess named Prin-Prin. As Sir Arthur, a valiant knight, you’ll be embarking on a mission to liberate her from the grip of Astaroth, ruler of the Demonic Realm.

In this fast-paced game, you don’t merely encounter zombies, crows, demons, ghosts, and various other creatures as enemies, but also grapple with the relentless ticking of time. Therefore, dawdling or proceeding cautiously is not advisable. Unlike in Super Mario, there are no warnings when your time is running low; by the time you’re informed (in the final 10 seconds), it’s essentially a game over scenario for you.

The challenge of this game lies in the fact that each opponent seems more like a formidable boss or even a mini-boss, as they require numerous attacks to be defeated. However, your character can only withstand two hits before being eliminated, regardless of the source of the attack.

After finishing all six stages, you might think the game has ended, but it hasn’t! What follows is a shocking revelation – the enemies you thought you defeated were merely illusions. To truly rescue the princess, you must confront them once more, and this time, the battles become even more challenging.

Ghosts ‘n Goblins is a true test of your patience, which makes beating it all the more worth it!

2025-04-13 17:40