Top 10 hardest video games, ranked

Some games are understandably easier than others. While certain games are incredibly difficult, they also leave lasting memories on players. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the 12 hardest games of all time.

Hardest games of all time

This list features a variety of games, from old to new, and indie to AAA. The only thing they have in common is the significant challenge they present.

10) Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening (2005)

Bringing up the rear is the third installment in the Devil May Cry franchise, Dante’s Awakening. The game explores the origins of Dante and is chronologically the first game in the series. It’s a third-person action-adventure game where Dante must come to terms with his origins and defeat his evil twin brother Virgil.

Despite it holding the number 10 slot on this list, the game isn’t easy. In fact, the original game was so difficult, Capcom released a Special Edition that let players reduce the difficulty so newcomers to the series could enjoy it.

9) Hades (2020)

Hades is a roguelike dungeon-crawler by Supergiant Games. Players assume the role of Zagreus, the fictional son of Hades, while he attempts to escape Tartarus and his father’s grasp. The game is a roguelite, and if Zagreus dies on his journey, he retains his experience and resources while unlocking more items and upgrades back in Tartarus. Essentially, this mechanic makes Zagreus stronger each time he attempts to escape, allowing him to progress further through the world.

The difficulty of this game stems from the fact that if Zagreus dies, he starts all over again from the beginning. This has divided the fanbase, with some thinking it’s too punishing while others think it is the perfect blend of fun and challenge.

8) Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (1993)

Battletoads in Battlemaniacs is a challenging game due to its unforgiving gameplay that demands near-perfect precision, where a single mistake can lead to a loss of life. The game’s complex levels are filled with obstacles and require players to memorize patterns and execute precise movements, especially during the high-speed vehicle levels.

The challenge is further amplified by the limited continue system, forcing you to master each level within a finite number of attempts. Additionally, the game’s steep difficulty curve, which rapidly increases as you progress, can feel overwhelming, particularly for new players.

7) Ghosts ‘n Goblins (1985)

Ghouls n’ Ghosts is notoriously difficult due to its tricky enemies and deathtraps. It also employs psychological tactics. You are offered a variety of weapons and power-ups that can be lost in an instant, creating a constant state of tension. The game’s difficulty is further amplified by the requirement of a specific item to defeat the final boss. If you don’t use the item correctly, you’re sent back to the start of the game.

Additionally, to unlock the true ending, you must complete the game twice in a row. To make matters worse, the difficulty gets harder in the second run. Together, these elements create one of the greatest video game challenges—one that has cemented Ghouls n’ Ghosts‘ reputation as an unreasonably hard game.

6) Ninja Gaiden 2 (2008)

Ninja Gaiden 2′s difficulty comes from its relentless enemies, complex combat system, punishing mechanics, fast-paced gameplay, and challenging ranking system. Even on normal difficulty, enemies are very aggressive. They surprise you with grabs and projectiles when you feel like you’ve learned their attack patterns. Ninja Gaiden 2′s pace is also faster than its predecessor, demanding quick reflexes and your utmost attention.

The combat requires you to master elaborate finishing moves for each weapon. So, unless you are willing to dedicate some time to learning the ins and outs of the system, you’ll find it hard to defeat even the most basic enemies the game throws at you. On top of all that, dying when fighting a boss in Ninja Gaiden 2 sends you back to the start of a level.

5) God Hand (2006)

In God Hand, you play as a martial artist who is given a divine arm called the “God Hand” after having his arm chopped off by a giant boomerang. Despite the obvious Japanese humor and goofiness that makes the game so charming, God Hand is renowned as one of the most difficult and intense action games on the PlayStation 2. It tests your spatial awareness, reflexes with well-timed dodges, knack for creating custom combos and attack sequences, and resource management.

In God Hand, you earn new fighting techniques and come up with your own sequence of attacks, fighting style, and combos. God Hand is arguably one of the hardest action games ever created. Its unique Difficulty Level mechanic, which adjusts the difficulty based on your performance, is the main reason. If you want to beat the game, you must master its combat system and apply a trial-and-error approach to its challenges.

4) Dark Souls 1, 2, and 3 (2010-2016)

The series that pioneered the Soulslike genre and brought the appeal of more challenging games to the market, Dark Souls was a generational series that defined an era. This series is compiled as one entry because all three games are very similar. They take place in different lands, but with the same overarching lore.

While the boss battles are the highlight of the Dark Souls series, the punishing levels are a close second. Each area offers beautiful scenery, if not completely ruined by the dangerous enemies looking to kill you at all times. If that isn’t enough, the concept of rest spots, or Bonfires as they are known in the series, are also dangerous. When you rest to refill your health and healing potions at Bonfires, all the enemies you killed come back to life as well, making trudging through older areas or fighting toward boss of an area that much more challenging.

Whether you’re the Chosen Undead, Bearer of the Curse, or the unkindled Ashen One, each of these games provides its own challenge, making completion that much sweeter when it does happen.

3) Bloodborne (2015)

The second FromSoftware game on this list and a deviation from the Dark Souls series is Bloodborne. You take on the role of a hunter in the land of Yharnam, fighting enemies straight out of Lovecraftian horror. Bosses range from humans like Lady Maria and Gehrman to twisted monstrosities like the Orphan of Kos and Ludwig.

Bloodborne was a breath of fresh air when it was released, giving players a brief reprieve from the Dark Souls-style of combat with a faster-paced battle style with no shield. The quicker style also made for quick battles that, while exciting, also meant minor mistakes are severely punished, making it a tough experience for newer players. 

This game remains a PlayStation exclusive, with players new and old firing up their PS4s and PS5s for another run of this classic title.

2) Elden Ring (2022)

FromSoftware’s latest smash hit and first foray into a true open world, Elden Ring took the world by storm. While most reasons for this are positive, a few fans had gripes with this modern classic. Initially, the game was plagued with a plethora of problems, most of which existed on the PC version. These problems ranged from framerate issues to bugged questlines. The most prominent issue was always the difficulty spike, though.

Unlike other FromSoftware titles, which were generally played by the hardcore Soulsborne community, Elden Ring captured mainstream attention with the involvement of renowned author, George R. R. Martin. This brought in a lot of casual players, and they’ve since experienced firsthand how punishing the game can be for those not used to the difficulty curve.

Nevertheless, the positives outshine the negatives, with both fans and critics praising the game, calling it FromSoftware’s best title to date.

1) The hardest game of all time—Sekiro (2019)

Sekiro is our pick for the toughest game of all time. It’s a masterpiece of the genre. Pushing the boundaries of the genre-defining Souls games, Sekiro takes players on a journey through Feudal Japan, all seen through the eyes of the main character, the titular Sekiro.

The game allows players to feel what it was like to be a shinobi back in the days of the Edo period, along with some FromSoftware magic thrown in. The game features enemies from Japanese mythology as well as the likenesses of prominent fighters from back in the era. With the arsenal of his trusty katana, prosthetic arm, and various tools including firecrackers and a grappling hook, Sekiro is brutally punishing but equally rewarding journey.

The game offers tons of replay value, encouraging all sorts of speedrunners and challenge runners attempting to complete the game as quickly as possible while providing hours of entertainment value for all viewers.