Top 10 Hardest SNES Games Ever Made

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Following the triumph of the NES, Nintendo presented the global market with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Similar to its predecessor, it boasted an extensive collection of games that left lasting impressions.

Similar to the 80s, plenty of games from the 90s were also infamous for being very hard.

Indeed, even though the advancement in the gaming landscape was evident with the introduction of the more powerful system, a significant number of games continued to employ less expensive strategies to enhance their difficulty level rather than relying on complex or innovative mechanics.

Regardless if you prefer fair or challenging games, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was a haven for titles that could drive you to throw your controller in frustration at the slightest mistake costing your progress. Without any delay, here are the 10 toughest SNES games ever made.

[Game Titles]

10.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Hate When That Happens

Kick things off with an intriguing, fun-filled game choice: Zombies Ate My Neighbors. You might grab it from a buddy’s place out of curiosity, only to find yourself captivated instantly.

The fundamental idea behind this game is quite straightforward: it’s your mission to save your neighbors from being devoured or harmed by zombies and other terrifying creatures, before it’s too late.

This task appears straightforward, doesn’t it? To some extent, that’s true. In fact, if you’ve already completed the initial three stages, you might be puzzled as to why this game is included.

The reason for this is that the challenge intensifies significantly at level four, as you’re persistently pursued by the Chain Saw men. These relentless enemies have a knack for breaking through the hedge-like walls in the labyrinth and won’t hesitate to attack you.

With each advancement, the opponents grow increasingly bizarre. One stage finds you battling your duplicates, followed swiftly by one where you’re fleeing from mummies, and another where you’re dodging a rampaging giant infant. There’s always something surprising waiting around the corner.

In the game, you’re initially granted three chances, or lives, to keep playing. However, your Health Points (HP) gauge consists of ten segments, meaning you can sustain thirty hits before the game ends. Fortunately, there’s a password feature that allows you to pick up your progress later on, but remember, it’s only valid from specific levels.

With the password “XWJR”, you can unlock the post-game Credits stage, a place where you’ll get to interact with the team members from the LucasArts studio office.

9.
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs

Rash And Pimple To The Rescue

If you’ve experienced the classic Battletoads on NES, you’ll already know what awaits you upon playing this game.

For beginners unfamiliar with the game, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs offers a more enjoyable and less challenging experience compared to the original NES version, catering to new players.

While the NES version might be more accessible, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an easy game. The platforming levels demand extremely precise jumps, and if you’re not cautious and meticulous during battles with the mobs, they can swiftly deplete your health in a flash.

In this game, you’ll have an opportunity to conquer a level reminiscent of the notorious Turbo Tunnel from the original game.

In a new twist, Karnath’s Lair has returned as Karnath’s Revenge, presenting even more challenging platforms to navigate. To conquer this game, you’ll need to be at the top of your game, with keen memory skills for mastering the levels, quick reflexes to dodge various dangers, and pinpoint precision when jumping.

8.
The Lion King

Can’t Wait To Put This Game Down

Should you find the Turbo Tunnel stage in Battletoads challenging, brace yourself for the complexity of The Lion King’s second level!

As a gamer, I find it astounding how a Disney game with such cheerful tunes and vibrant visuals can make me feel so aggravated at times.

In this game, the second level is titled “Eagerly Anticipating My Reign,” and it involves using various animals as your transportation from one spot to another. The initial moments are straightforward, allowing you to notice your advancement. However, the situation alters significantly once you reach the part where you must roar at the pink monkeys to modify their throwing trajectory.

Here’s another way to put it: It seems there’s more to this than meets the eye. Interestingly, these monkeys don’t apprehend you when you confront them head-on. Instead, they only hurl objects if you’re propelled towards them by rhinos first.

This isn’t the most challenging part yet; soon, you’ll need to navigate an ostrich ride while timing your jumps to dodge obstacles. However, it’s the double jump segment that tends to trip up many players at least once. The game concludes with a reportedly tough puzzle involving monkeys and rhinos.

In this version, I’ve tried to maintain the original meaning while making it more conversational and easier to read.

In the past, before there were abundant walkthroughs available, completing this level was extremely challenging and frustrating for many people due to its difficulty.

7.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest

Diddy Kong And Dixie Save The Day And DK

It’s well-known that Nintendo is renowned for the high quality of their in-house video games. Given this reputation, it’s no surprise that at least one challenging game from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) would find its way onto a list ranking the toughest games ever made.

Donkey Kong Country series delivers exceptional side-scrolling action games. In Donkey Kong Country 2, the narrative revolves around Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong, as they embark on a mission to rescue Donkey Kong, who has been abducted by Kaptain K. Rool.

The trip ahead isn’t a walk in the park; it’s filled with tough stretches you’ll have to conquer before moving forward. However, none of the levels in this game are as difficult as Animal Antics, which stands out as the most challenging.

In essence, this level requires you to play using all five helpful animal companions: Rambi the Rhinoceros, Enguarde the Swordfish, Squitter the Spider, and so on. You should find it relatively straightforward when navigating through sections assigned to Rambi, Enguarde, and Squitter. However, beware as difficulties arise once you switch to playing with Squawks the Parrot.

In this scenario, you’re persistently battling against the wind to dodge the sharp thorns. Introduce some airborne adversaries into the equation, and you might find yourself struggling on this stage for quite some time – perhaps even a couple of hours, or even days, before managing to progress.

6.
Contra III: The Alien Wars

Insane Run-and-Gun Fun!

In the ’80s and ’90s, Contra was a widely recognized title. It stood out as one of Konami’s top-notch series, and choosing to play it meant you were in for a great gaming experience.

The basic layout of the game was incredibly straightforward, primarily focusing on fast-paced running and shooting sequences as you eliminated hordes of adversaries. Occasionally, you’d encounter a mini-boss, and ultimately, each stage culminated in a climactic battle against a boss character.

In essence, although the fundamental concepts were straightforward, the game ensured that you grasped the level design, enemy behavior, and their attack patterns thoroughly, if you aimed to conquer it successfully.

Many might believe that Contra III: The Alien Wars seems an odd choice for this compilation. However, it caters to all skill levels. Newcomers or less experienced gamers can hone their abilities with the game’s Easy and Normal difficulty settings.

For seasoned Contra gamers, the game’s difficult mode introduces fresh move sets for the bosses and speeds up enemy movement to ramp up the difficulty level.

In Hard Mode, the last enemy transforms into Searle. To leave the alien’s hideout, you need to vanquish it first.

5.
Castlevania: Dracula X

Belmont Family And Dracula Feud Continues

When you begin a new game, you’re in store for something special, as it commences with an eerie chuckle. Among the games listed, Castlevania: Dracula X stands out not just for its challenging difficulty, but also for its stunning visuals.

If you assumed that this game would be easy on you, then you’ve underestimated it greatly. From the very outset, you’ll encounter the infamous pair of enemies – bats, stairs, pits, and airborne Medusa heads – all waiting to punish any minor slip-up.

However, if the current challenges are all this game has to offer, it wouldn’t make it very exciting. In the upcoming levels, prepare yourself for a fresh aggravation as you navigate the tricky combination of the collapsing bridge and leaping Kappas. Castlevania: Dracula X also introduces a new irritating adversary – the spearman guard.

These guards don’t take things lightly and can deal a powerful blow if given the chance. However, this very challenge is what makes the game exciting, as overcoming obstacles and eventually defeating a boss adds to the joy and satisfaction of winning.

4.
Hagane: The Final Conflict

When Everyone’s Overpowered, No One Will Be

As a passionate gamer myself, I can wholeheartedly recommend Hagane: The Final Conflict. If you’re searching for an engaging game with a balance of difficulty and fun, this is definitely worth your time. It steers clear of the cheap tactics often used to frustrate players, making it a standout choice for those seeking a rewarding gaming experience.

Similar to Contra, this game is both harsh and just. As a formidable ninja-cyborg named Hagane, your mission is one of vengeance against the Koma clan. The game equips you with four different weapons for this purpose.

You can keep using your sword and chain; however, for shurikens and scroll bombs, remember to gather their ammunition. The game offers a powerful magic bomb or ninja skill that obliterates all enemies on the screen and inflicts heavy damage on bosses.

In this game, Hagane, the pace is quite swift, and it becomes increasingly challenging as you advance. Since your character can endure just three blows before meeting its demise, it’s advisable to avoid taking any damage at all.

As a gamer, I’m stoked! This setup grants me unlimited chances to keep going. But

3.
Super R-Type

Actual Hell Even Without The Bullets

Discussing the noble gem Hagane, mentioning Super R-Type afterwards seems incongruous. However, if you’re seeking a challenging game, it certainly delivers on that front.

As a gamer, I’ve found that Super R-Type isn’t just tough; it’s downright frustrating. Instead of fair challenges, it seems to employ underhanded tricks straight out of the ‘cheap game design’ handbook, making my gaming experience more aggravating than enjoyable.

Initially, there are no checkpoints in this game. Typically, action games will eliminate you if you take just one hit. The issue arises when you die for reasons that seem arbitrary, and rather than resuming from the midway point of the stage, you’re forced to begin anew. This is particularly frustrating when you were on the verge of clearing the level.

Currently, I regret to inform you that your spacecraft is not the swiftest. Consequently, even though the game provides a boost to accelerate your pace, perishing results in forfeiting this advantage.

Should you consider giving this game a try, keep in mind it requires a great deal of perseverance, much like a monk’s patience. It isn’t merely about trial and error; instead, expect frequent deaths as you hone your reflexes to dodge every tiny screen element potentially hazardous to you.

2.
Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars: The Difficulty Strikes Back

Among the three Super Star Wars games on the SNES, it’s The Empire Strikes Back that stands out as the most challenging to play.

Within the Menu of Choices, you’ll discover Easy, Brave, and Jedi as difficulty settings. Yet, when you initially dive into the game, these labels don’t fully convey their respective difficulties because the Easy setting is surprisingly challenging, similar to the Brave option.

Your journey commences amidst the icy peaks, bracing yourself against the unforgiving climate and persistent adversaries. At first, it appears less daunting due to the opportunity to gather these enemies, which reward you with valuable enhancements such as the homing missile for your weapon.

However, none of these inconveniences will seem minor once you face death, for upon it, all enhancements are forfeited. If you found battling Zubat bothersome in the Altering cave, prepare yourself for an even more frustrating experience within this game’s caves. The bats here not only disrupt your combat but also fail to provide any health restoration, turning fights against them and other nearby adversaries into a real chore.

From my perspective, when it comes to the boss fights, I’d say they offer a refreshing change from the regular enemy encounters due to their seemingly pre-planned movements. Unlike the unpredictable spawning of enemies, these boss battles present a more balanced challenge because their actions appear scripted rather than random.

1.
Super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts

Hit Me Once, Argh; Hit Me Twice, I’m Dead

To wrap it up, the most challenging game on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) is none other than Super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts. Admittedly, this selection might not be surprising to many gaming enthusiasts.

In the latest installment, Sir Arthur returns once more, tasked with saving Lady Guinevere who has been abducted by Emperor Sardius. The narrative unfolds reminiscent of the classic Ghosts ‘N Goblins game for NES, where a demon swoops in to carry off the princess.

Equipped with your armor and spears, you embark on a journey to confront waves of rising undead. A fresh element in this game is the addition of a double jump maneuver. This time around, the stage adapts as you progress. Frequent seismic activity causes the terrain to shift dramatically. It’s crucial not to act hastily.

You should try playing this game more like a Platformer instead of a run-and-gun game.

On the one hand, the double jump trait has its advantages, but on the other, it can prove to be risky. The second leap might inadvertently lead to harm, a consequence that becomes apparent only after you’ve executed the jump.

Just as with Ghosts ‘N Goblins, you must finish each stage before the time runs out or else you perish. However, it’s not just the time limit that gives you trouble. Taking even one hit causes you to lose your armor, and a second hit will cost you your life.

The game provides you with four different levels of difficulty, and allows you to use as many as nine lives. On the other hand, you will receive only six chances to continue playing.

Many individuals often claim they haven’t finished the initial level of this game, yet this very fact adds to its appeal and makes it even more rewarding to conquer.

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2025-04-24 16:11