5 Most Punishingly Hard Games on the NES

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If you grew up in the 1980s or early 90s, you likely remember playing the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES. This console is famous for bringing video games back from a slump in the early 80s and for hosting many classic games. And if you did play the NES, you probably know just how incredibly difficult some of those games could be!

It’s great when games are challenging, but some older Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) games went overboard. They featured incredibly difficult obstacles, unreliable controls, and other frustrating issues that made them almost unplayable. While not all ‘Nintendo Hard’ games are bad – many people still enjoy them – these five titles are notorious for being brutally difficult and might trigger some unpleasant memories for those who grew up with them. They’re listed below in no specific order.

1) Contra

Okay, so you might think you’re a Contra master, having finished it a bunch of times. But honestly, have you really beaten it without the Konami Code? Let’s be real, every NES player who picked up Contra remembers that sequence: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start. Entering it on the title screen gives you a whopping 30 lives, and trust me, you need them! Contra is brutally hard, and losing lives is just part of the experience. For me, that code isn’t cheating, it makes the game fun and actually beatable. I’ve heard of people completing it without the extra lives, but they’re definitely the exception, not the rule.

2) Fester’s Quest

Just mentioning Fester’s Quest can bring back bad memories for classic Nintendo players. Based on the 1960s Addams Family TV show, this game is notoriously difficult. A major problem is the clunky, poorly programmed controls, which often lead players to blame their controller. And they weren’t entirely wrong – enemies reappear so quickly it feels like you’re fighting the same battles over and over again, making the game a frustrating experience. On top of that, the puzzles are incredibly challenging, often requiring guides from Nintendo Power magazine to solve, making it a truly tough game to finish.

3) Ghosts’ n Goblins

It’s common for games to be challenging, but Capcom’s Ghosts’ n Goblins took difficulty to an extreme. Originally an arcade game and later released on the NES, it’s notorious for being incredibly hard – most players struggle to last even a minute. The game throws waves of fast-moving enemies at you, creating a chaotic and overwhelming experience. And if you somehow manage to beat it, there’s a twist: you have to play through the entire game again, but this time it’s even harder! This rebooted version is almost as punishing as the original, continuing the game’s reputation for being brutally difficult.

4) Silver Surfer

When Silver Surfer came to the NES in 1990, fans of the comic were excited. The game is a scrolling space shooter where you ride a surfboard and blast enemies. However, the Silver Surfer isn’t as powerful as he should be. Surprisingly, he’s very fragile and can be quickly overwhelmed by a relentless barrage of bullets. Dying frequently isn’t a bug – it’s a core part of the game, and the death screen has become a popular meme. Silver Surfer is notoriously difficult, and very few players have ever managed to complete it – those who have are probably in hiding!

5) Battletoads

Battletoads is a classic game that many players remember with mixed feelings – they loved it, but it was notoriously hard! The speed bike level was especially frustrating, causing many to give up in anger. Luckily, the game’s cooperative mode allowed you to play with a friend, which was almost essential for making it to the end. It’s a truly challenging game to complete. While it shares some of the frustrating level design found in games like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Battletoads is generally considered even more difficult, partly because of its ‘friendly fire’ feature – which, while chaotic, added to the fun when playing with friends.

Did any of these notoriously difficult Nintendo games drive you crazy? Share your experiences and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-11 20:13