8-bit victory: NES games you are proud to have beaten

[J T]

I probably spent more time playing videogames as a kid than I should have, but those little moments of triumph when you finally pass a game that has been tormenting you for ages are so rewarding. What are some difficult games that you were proud to complete?

Here's a few from my list:

Bases Loaded: One of the only sports games I ever loved. Completing the whole thing took some serious time and effort though, but I had developed an unstoppable curve ball. I liked that there was a celebration after you won the series.

Battletoads: Everyone knows how hard this game is who ever made it to level 3 or beyond. It is downright cruel. I wanted to call everyone I knew when I finally beat that evil Ice Queen.

Blaster Master: I stayed up late. I played for hours on end. I cursed at the screen. I played until my thumbs were sore. But damnit, somebody needed to rescue that poor little frog!

Castlevania Castlevania haunted me for years, and not because it was scary. I failed at killing Dracula so many times, even when I had the holy water to temporarily trap his leaping monster form in place so I could literaly whip his ass. It felt good to finally beat that damn vampire and watch his castle crumble.

Cobra Triangle This game should be better known than it is. It was a great game. Hard as balls though. Celebration was in order when I finally beat this one.

Double Dragon Everybody knows you never bring a knife to a gun fight. Billy and Jimmy didn't even bring a knife. The fact that I ever beat that machine gun wielding bastard is a minor miracle.

Faxanadu There were times I hated this game, but when it was all said and done, I felt like I had been on a grand adventure. Thanks Faxanadu.

Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode There was a point where I thought this was the greatest game ever made... and then I reached the maze levels. Oh my god! First person mazes on 8-bit hardware are excrutiatingly painful. You have no sense of direction and you have to count how many times you press forward, how many times you turned 90 degrees, etc. Ugh! I finally beat this bad boy though. Nothing can stop me when I am the man with the custom M-16. Still, the ending wasn't as good as the scene with Cherry Grace. hubba hubba. :p

Ikari Warriors ABBA. ABBA. ABBA. ABBA. ABBA. The fact that the continue code stopped working every time you reached a boss was just not cool. Those levels were like an hour long and you got used to being invincible. Terrible ending too. At least I can say I finished this piece of crap.

Kid Icarus Tormented by little snakes and grim reapers, there were few things more satisfying than finally learning to fly and launching a spear into Medussa's eye.

Mike Tyson's Punchout: 007 373 5963 is forever burned into my memory. You know what I'm talking about.

Megaman (any of them) Disappearing/Reappearing blocks are the bane of my existence. I hate you Dr. Wily.

Section Z I had to draw maps because this game was so confusing. The music in some of the later levels though was unforgettable. Still can't quite believe I ever completed the whole thing.

[jfe2]

I could never beat Castlevania as a kid, but maybe five or six years ago I picked it up again and ended up finally doing it. The boss fight against Death was a beast in that game...

[ShadicChao]

battletoads,ninga gaiden,milon's secret castle

[Breetai]

The last section before the stairs leading up to Dracula is terrible.

Dracula himself isn't that bad... unless, of course, you make a couple mistakes. I always make a couple mistakes.

[sevin0seven]

The most proud I have beaten is Castlevania III: Dracula Curse.

[8-bit Legend]

Speaking of hard to beat games....

Is it just me who hates Zelda II: The Adventure of Link?

[lisalover1]

I'm always surprised how many people haven't beaten the original Super Mario Brothers. I beat it a couple months ago, and am very proud of it. The only other beaten NES game I can remember off the top of my head is Contra.

[ieatramen]

Contra, Rush'n Attack, Double Dragon 2, Faxanadu, Kid Icarus, Bionic Commando

Games i tried my damndest to beat: ninja gaiden(s), castlevania(s), Double Dragon 1,3 Blaster Master, Mega Man 1

[pureevil]

I car't remember that far back.I remember starwars being hard though anyone manage to beat that game?

[baschlives]

zelda 2 and star tropics