Not many players got the chance to play it. This game was an action side-scroller that uses every single button on the Super Nintendo controller, creating a level of mechanical depth that frankly rivals most games released today. Hagane is punishingly hard, actually requiring players to make use of their entire skillset. The game scales its difficulty as you progress, and it can get frustrating at times when dealing with unforgiving enemies.

Fire Emblem: Thracia was released on the Super Famicom, and it was one of the last games released on that system. Thracia is unforgiving, relentless, and downright cruel at times. Fire Emblem: Thracia is easily one of the hardest games in the entire franchise, while other Fire Emblem games are traditionally difficult. It was whacky and funny, and those elements made it into the sequel. Players need to explore their way through the levels, mini-games, bosses, and special levels that require a huge load of redundancy and master timing, and along these lines, the game is viewed as frustratingly troublesome by the gaming community.

Super R-Type is easily the most frustrating game on this list. While other titles might be much harder, Super R-Type requires that players operate on another level entirely. Super R-Type is a Super Nintendo game that only veterans of the genre will be able to get through. One reason for the insane price tag is that Hagane: The Final Conflict is a super entertaining sidescroller. This title oozes eastern culture and looks a lot like a Ninja Gaiden spinoff from its gameplay.

You'll play as a stoic cybernetic samurai, slashing through enemies and platforming through futuristic locations. Hagane: The Final Conflict features a great soundtrack, unique visuals although some claim it's graphically inferior for the time , and solid controls.

It's also a strenuous struggle through complex platforming sections and frustrating enemies. A skilled hand and razor sharp focus are key to completing your mission. It also features a hauntingly poignant ending for a SNES game , making the struggle a little more worthwhile. This high octane SNES classic ramps turns up the action with improved visuals, stellar controls, and a storm of bullets. Unfortunately, Konami wasn't nice enough to leave a certain "kode" lying around for this release.

Elaborate joystick dancing won't net you 30 lives this time. If you fancy yourself a purist, you can tackle this juggernaut with three lives. Those of you looking for a little more comfort will find a sneaky option menu to crank the lives meter up to seven.

Sadly, you won't get much more help than that. Each level ramps up the difficulty, until you find yourself surrounded by baddies and swimming through a hail of projectiles. Precise jumps, timed shots, and serious multitasking skills are a must if you want any chance at succeeding here.

There are aliens in this game, but don't feel bad if you don't make it far enough to see them. This list wouldn't be complete without a space themed side-scrolling trip through bullet hell.

Super R-Type is a classic horizontal shooter with gameplay elements similar to releases like Phalanx and Gradius. Traditional mechanics like powerup collection and one-hit deaths make Super R-Type feel like a familiar game. There are a few things that set this title apart from its distant relatives. The "power-up attachment" that you collect doesn't just increase your weapon power, it acts as an entirely separate entity.

You can send this object out to autofire at other enemies, or even use it to cover the space behind you. Knowing exactly how to use this specialized piece of equipment makes up the main bulk of Super R-Type gameplay.

The sheer number of enemies and projectiles onscreen is enough to make this release a truly frightening affair but the real difficulty issue stems from taking damage. If you manage to get hit, once, by anything, at any point, you'll perish and restart your current level from the beginning. There are no checkpoints and no "do-overs. Once again we find a film to game adaptation on this list, but this one is special. This is perhaps the mother of all difficult movie to game releases.

You'll span many locations in the Star Wars universe and play as multiple characters. There are many vehicles to pilot and items to collect.

You'll even experience mechanic changing levels that break up monotonous side-scrolling. It offers fans of the series an interactive way to experience a story they know and love.

Unfortunately, LucasArts went a tad overboard with the challenge factor. If you don't find yourself struggling with the complex platforming sections, you'll most likely fall victim to the immense amount of enemies onscreen. It's like they never stop coming and in some areas, they don't. It's hard to imagine a scenario in which you actually pray for an oncoming boss fight but The Empire Strikes Back does just that. The discernible attack patterns of a boss are often much easier to deal with than the onslaught of regular enemies.

This game is the pure embodiment of difficulty. From mechanics to controls, to environments, and everything in-between, this horror-filled side-scroller is pure evil in cartridge form. It's the third release in the franchise but it easily tops this list as one of the absolute hardest games on SNES. Our protagonist is once again on a journey to save a princess that constantly finds herself captive by demon hordes.

The level structure is similar to Ghosts 'N Goblins , as you find yourself progressing through various themed levels. Each zone has a peculiar boss, and some areas hold valuable secrets. There is always something waiting to kill you in Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts. Some enemies require being killed by certain weapons or power-ups and will not take any damage except it. Because of the randomized chests, it's hard to tell whether the playthrough will be easier or not. Clearly, the feedback to the original was unfazed, and the game kept its outrageous difficulty, because let's be honest, why fix what just isn't broken?

I know what you're thinking. Think Ninja Gaiden combined with Strider, and then make the setting a mechanical world. That's what this game is like. Almost every button on the controller is an attack of some kind, some of which look overpowered. However, you'd think that kind of power would allow you to bulldoze through the game. From the very first boss, the game will throw every kind of attack and obstacle it has to pin your cybernetic ninja down.

There is also a decent amount of platforming, as well. The fast-paced action and level design is enough to keep you on your toes, and it never lets up for even a second. The difficulty is so high, it's close to the verge of unfair, but doesn't cross it. It's unforgiving, heavily punishing, and fun. All at the same time. That's why it holds 1 here.

Difficulty: 9. Likewise with its predecessor, there a ton of games that could've made this list. It's all part of the general opinion of the GameFAQs community, as well as several different outside sources. Here's just a few honorable mentions that could also make you wanna crush your SNES controller. A lot of these games had a start on the NES and kept it's roots of toughness, while some were SNES-exclusives and have remained there since.

It has challenged many a gamer in 25 years, and the next console Nintendo put out didn't stop the challenge right then and there. Discuss this list and others on the Top 10 Lists board. Log In Sign Up. Keep me logged in on this device Forgot your username or password? Don't have an account? Sign up for free!

Have your own Top 10 in mind? Create and submit your own Top 10 List today. Would you recommend this Top 10 List? While the original Earthworm Jim is difficult, not even that game can prepare you for how unforgiving Earthworm Jim 2 truly is.

If Earthworm Jim 2 only consisted of its side-scrolling stages, it would still be in the running as one of the harder SNES titles. During the 8 and bit eras, it was relatively easy to buy into the idea that a game was simply impossible.

Few games of that mold are more memorable than Jurassic Park. The original ActRaiser was also fairly difficult, but its blend of platforming, action, and town building is so impressive that you kind of forgive it for its difficulty spikes.

For ActRaiser 2 , developer Quintet seemingly convinced themselves that the reason people loved the original was because of its challenging side-scrolling levels rather than its variety. Much to the dismay of many young gamers, they accomplished that mission in such a way that ensures the mere mention of ActRaiser 2 can unlock a treasure trove of repressed gaming memories.

From floating platforms to the pit of deaths, ActRaiser 2 is like a hall of fame for every controller breaking concept of its era.

The shame of it is that ActRaiser 2 is really just a few tweaks away from being one of the underrated gems of its time. That being the case, you may go into a game like The 7th Saga feeling pretty confident. If so, then consider this your fair warning that The 7th Saga is absolutely one of the hardest bit games ever made.

The result is a project with typical RPG challenges that are amplified by the fact that enemies can survive an absurd amount of damage that makes level grinding more important than ever.

Sadly, the U. The 7th Saga is actually a very good game, but its already challenging puzzles, dungeons, and bosses are made legendary by virtue of one of the most questionable difficulty bumps in gaming history. I actually love the SNES trilogy of Star Wars games and recently wished that a developer would revisit their core concepts and update them for modern platforms.