Hardest Old School Game Ever?

[DCsegaDH]

Mortal Kombat 1 & 2 the arcade version,Ive never got far with these games.

[Limewater]

I am assuming that games that were difficult because of design or implementation defects don't really count?

Otherwise, half of the Action 52 cart could count. Several of those games have levels that are literally impossible without cheating.

Also, I think that the NES Dragon's Lair is terribly frustrating due to very coarse control.

Good games that are very hard:

The NES Star Wars game is also terribly difficult. It's actually a very good game, once you've gotten used to the slippery control, but even then it is definitely punishing. It's one of those games you can't beat unless you memorize the entire thing. I believe that the SMS and gameboy versions are roughly identical. That is also true of the Super Star Wars trilogy on SNES, though maybe I'm just a n00b. I've not played the NES version of Empire Strikes Back.

Also, I don't know about the SNES and Genesis versions, but the NES version of Smash TV is pretty difficult. It may be easier using the dual-NES Advantage control scheme, but I've never tried it. I've never gotten past the second level.

The SMS version of R-Type is very difficult, and very playable. It may not rank as highly among the elite, though.

BattleToads and the SNES sequel are both very difficult, but they have been mentioned before.

Also, I'll throw in another vote for Silver Surfer and any of the Ghosts 'N Goblins games.

[Jrecee]

God the super star wars games were rediculous. And not because of good design. Move 3", enemies respawn. Although the games did stick to the plot of the movie pretty well. Like that part where luke explores the cave on hoth while fighting 3 wampas at once along with the flying icebats and ice spikes that randomly appeared out of the ground.

While I like a challenging game I won't even bother playing those again, pure crap. . .

[AwesomeMonstar]

God the super star wars games were rediculous. And not because of good design. Move 3", enemies respawn. Although the games did stick to the plot of the movie pretty well. Like that part where luke explores the cave on hoth while fighting 3 wampas at once along with the flying icebats and ice spikes that randomly appeared out of the ground.

While I like a challenging game I won't even bother playing those again, pure crap. . .

really? Empire and Return got really fun after the first 2 stages or so.

[Kevman]

Battletoads

[Ack]

Actually, I think the NES Star Wars games were some of the most fun Star Wars games ever made, and the Empire Strikes Back's graphics still amaze me. The AT-AT level really stands out in my mind as being amazing. As for Star Wars...the furthest I ever made it was the space level after finishing the Death Star, and then only once. Most times I'd make it to the garbage monster and that was as far as I could get.

[Jrecee]

really? Empire and Return got really fun after the first 2 stages or so.

I didn't make it past the first 2 stages. If I had played any longer my snes would have been impaled in the wall.

[vlame]

mario lost levels

[s1mplehumar]

Battletoads (NES).

[pocket]

R-type 3, can;t get past the second level.