Games you find infuriating but can't stop playing.

[A_Locomotive]

So not to long ago I picked up SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 for the PSP. And while I love the games I must say they are just as infuriatingly difficult as the arcade machines themselves. lol For instance Samurai Showdown is where I've been sinking a lot of time, mostly because its driving me so crazy that I'm determined to kick its ass. Its a fun game but the frustration to fun ratio is extremely lopsided, the combos are tough to pull off(not for the computer though who blasts them out rapid fire) and the enemies are cheap and can seemingly defend against any attack. I made it up to Genan last night and after a half hour gave up. Every time I got close to beating him he'd move far away and start spamming this ranged poison cloud attack that temporarily knocks out my guy. After a half hour of this I gave up, and this was on the easy setting! Even on easy this is by far the hardest fighter I've ever played. But I'll keep playing till I do it and after that I'll work on the impossible achievements in the game such as beating it on insane and beating it with no continues which I don't believe for a second are even possible. So anyone else have any games that drive them up the walls that they can't stop playing?

Edited December 18, 2011 by A_Locomotive

[+Ransom]

Berzerk on the 5200 is my nemesis. That game is so difficult, but the voice synthesis brings me back every time.

 

I enjoy playing the 2600 version much more.

[so_tough!]

I suck at all the snk fighting games I have, well...I'm pretty good at Word Heroes, but adk made it! I enjoyed street fighter 2, but for some reason these snk titles are not half as good (my opinion), and they play so differently. Part of the reason I'm getting rid of my neo, I was really let down by the system (should have played more neo in the arcade before buying one). It's the most over rated system out there. Even the graphics don't look that great.A lot of the graphics arn't that smooth . Many megadrive/snes games have much prettier graphics than neo geo games. Back in the 16 bit days some magazines acted like neo geo was the pinnacle of 16 bit gaming. Totally off the mark. Even if it was the same price as other consoles it would never have beaten them in the market. The software on pc engine, megadrive and snes kicks it's ass.

 

Anyway, anyone want an aes or cd? Pm me

 

Oh yeah by the way, they are infuriating and I can stop playing them! That's why they are in my wardrobe all dusty!

Edited December 19, 2011 by so_tough!

[+thegoldenband]

Oh, man, tons. If a game frustrates me and seems to pull all kinds of BS to deny me victory, it makes me want to crush it like Conan's enemies all the more. Once in a while I'll throw in the towel out of disgust -- Final Fight and Super R-Type for SNES come to mind -- but usually I'll keep at it until I emerge victorious. The quintessential example for me this year is probably Sol-Feace for Sega CD; I was determined to beat that thing on Mania, and eventually did, but it wasn't much fun to be around me when I was playing it.

 

Right now I'm trying to beat Shaq-Fu on Expert, and the game turns into one cheap-ass SOB on that difficulty level. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the limited continues and the lack of a practice mode; I hate having my time wasted by having to defeat the first six enemies over and over again, just so I can get practice against the later enemies.

[SEgamer]

Growing up it was Mortal Kombat II on the Genesis for me. I've always sucked at fighters, but that one I couldn't put down. UN Squadron and a few other shoot em ups also had me nearly throw my controller at the TV. But probably the best one I can remember is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It was one of those challenges I gave myself to see if I could actually beat it. I played it until I memorized most of the levels and managed to get to the last stage with the barrels, but after seeing it was nearly impossible I gave up on it. The wierd thing is that I actually kind of enjoyed the game...

 

Another one was a Need for Speed game for the gamecube. Everytime you took a jump it'd go in slow motion with different camera views and right when you land it would take you back to the camera angle behind the car. I wrecked a lot because of that, but still kept playing it.

Edited December 19, 2011 by SEgamer

[Hatta]

Pretty much any shmup.

[mbd30]

I keep going back to "Act Raiser 2" thinking that maybe I'll complete a single level this time, only to have my hopes shattered.

[Ace_1]

Thunder Force II for the Sharp X68000. That game is BRUTAL unlike its Genesis counterpart, Thunder Force II MD, but the insanely high difficulty is what keeps bringing me back to the Sharp X68000 original. It's so damn difficult I am determined to beat the damn game on Normal difficulty with 3 stock, the default settings.

[Mxyzptlk]

Goldeneye for the N64.

[DemonoidTentacle]

Battletoads pisses me right off. I can easily get past the first few levels. The turbo tunnel is pure muscle memory to me. But that damn ice level and all levels after it just churn away at my continues. If the game had unlimited continues, I would've beaten it by now, and I refuse to play it emulated with save states.

[Ranthulfr]

I remember playing the original NES Castlevania again and again even though it was frustrating as hell.

 

[+save2600]

Locomotion for the Intellivision can get pretty damn hairy, but I absolutely love the game.

[Austin]

I keep going back to "Act Raiser 2" thinking that maybe I'll complete a single level this time, only to have my hopes shattered.

 

I second that!

[PsychoKittyNet]

Spelunker on the NES. Also Castlevania until I finally beat it.

[mbd30]

I keep going back to "Act Raiser 2" thinking that maybe I'll complete a single level this time, only to have my hopes shattered.

 

I second that!

 

Seriously. I've beaten "Ghouls n Ghosts", "Super Ghouls n Ghosts", "Castlevania" and "Revenge of Shinobi", but completing a single level in "ActRaiser 2" would be a greater accomplishment. Aren't you supposed to be a god in the game? But you're a total weakling easily killed by anything you encounter.

[+boxpressed]

I've been playing Colecovision Galaxian for the past few days and finally beat the high score on the Retroboards forum (I joined just to post my score). I love how beautiful this game looks on the CV, almost arcade perfect. It is a game that is difficult to keep going for more than 15 minutes, which is one of the reasons I like it. It's not unfair and only infuriating because of a poor decision I make. I feel as though I know all of its "tricks," but it is still quite difficult to break 30,000, and anything over 25,000 is a damn solid effort. I used to prefer Galaga, but there's something about the methodical play of Galaxian (particularly having to make each shot count ... or you're dead) that is really appealing. The standard CV controller is also perfect for the game (although I like to break out the Starplex every once in a while).

[guy767]

A few games that come quickly to mind are...

 

Battletoads NES - The game is known to be infamously hard and for good reason. It's easily the most difficult 8 bit action platformer I've even played. The great graphics, superb soundtrack and tight game play always kept me coming back though.

 

Wizardry NES - It's a cruelly hard RPG but very enjoyable. The only way I could finish it was to always reset the NES when my party was defeated. Failure to immediately reset means that your characters are usually gone for good. It can be nasty but addicting.

 

Net Hack PC and countless other platforms - To say this game can be unfair and difficult is an understatement. I have this rogue-like installed on my modded PSP and came close to smashing it against the wall several times due to cheap deaths. It's a very enjoyable if somewhat torturous experience.

 

Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo - Easily the hardest fighting game I've played. The computer opponents are absolutely merciless. Professional tournament players even have a hard time; it's just ridiculously difficult. You keep playing it though for the satisfaction of beating the godlike AI occasionally and to improve your game.

Edited December 23, 2011 by guy767

[atarilovesyou]

Battletoads pisses me right off. I can easily get past the first few levels. The turbo tunnel is pure muscle memory to me. But that damn ice level and all levels after it just churn away at my continues. If the game had unlimited continues, I would've beaten it by now, and I refuse to play it emulated with save states.

 

I feel your pain. I'm currently trying to defeat this beast, knowing full well that I might never do it. That ice level stumps me right now the most, but I remember that it's actually pretty mild compared to some of the later levels...the swimming part I seem to remember with a lot of anger! But I've had a lot more fun with it lately. I'd consider using the Genie for the unlimited continues just to be able to practice the later levels, but kudos to anybody who can actually beat the thing. It will teach you the meaning of pain, indeed.

[thegamezmaster]

I remember playing the original NES Castlevania again and again even though it was frustrating as hell.

 

 

I still have never beat it! Grrrr!

[brojamfootball]

Coleco tabletop mini-arcade Donkey Kong. The difficulty is pretty much off the chain here.

First/girders screen? Not a problem at all.

Second/rivets screen? Ridiculously hard.

I played this a bazillion times before I ever got past the second screen, continuing to try "just one more time."

[mbd30]

I remember playing the original NES Castlevania again and again even though it was frustrating as hell.

 

I just started playing this again in emulation after not having played it in ages. I used to beat this game all the time as a kid.

 

A couple of observations:

 

The "skele-dragons" that start showing up in the Frankenstein stage are annoying as hell. If you're not using a special weapon, and just your whip, it seems a matter of luck whether you hit the fireballs or not. You have to whip as fast as you can and hope for the best.

 

Frankenstein is almost impossible without the fire weapon and it's so easy to accidentally lose that weapon for the axe or dagger. The first three bosses are a cakewalk.

[Sonic R]

Berzerk on the 5200 is my nemesis. That game is so difficult, but the voice synthesis brings me back every time.

 

I enjoy playing the 2600 version much more.

 

I'm learning this pain! I just recently acquired 5200 Berzerk and this game is insanely difficult! much easier on the Vectrex… but I continue to play on the 5200… when I need a break, I'll play some K-Razy Shoot Out… that's another tough one!