My Top 10 Hardest Genesis Games!

[@matthewpordes3224]

A phenomenal list! You could write this down, and make a worthy Genesis collection from it.

[@Fortefyre]

Thank you!

[@bildo1977]

The release of Assault Suit Leynos on the PS4 is an enhanced remake of the Sega Genesis original. Assault Suits Vulken which was known as Cybernator on the SNES got an enhanced remake on the Switch, and it’s uncensored and officially translated to English as well. 😊

[@Fortefyre]

Oh nice! Maybe I'll get a chance to play it sometime!

[@Parlimant_Strifey]

actually that Valken remake is a port of the PS2 remake.

[@bildo1977]

@@Parlimant_Strifey I have the Switch version. It owes a lot more to the SNES version. However I haven’t unlocked anything, so that might be what you’re referring to as far as it being a port of the PS2 version.

[@gjergjaurelius9798]

@@Fortefyreyeah dude try it. Cheap buy.

[@jasonblalock4429]

Yeah, all I can say is thank god for cheat codes. I never would have beaten Ghouls & Ghosts or Gaiares back in the day without them. Also, don't forget the RPG side of things. Phantasy Star 2 is *still* one of the most infamously grindy and player-hostile JRPGs ever made, even in an era known for bullshit RPGs. (Not to mention its notorious fuck-you ending.) Oh, and on the topic, yes Fatal Labyrinth is totally a roguelike. A very classic example. Sega actually put out three roguelikes around this time, also including Dragon Crystal on SMS/GG and ToeJam & Earl, which was basically baby's first roguelike.

[@Fortefyre]

....OH MY GOD TOEJAM IS A DAMN ROGUELIKE *sigh* I'm going for a self-reflection walk lmao

[@CaptainAlgebra]

Some very tough games on this list. I did manage to finish Fatal Labyrinth when I streamed it, but it took 5 or 6 hours. Streets of Rage 3 is definitely the hardest in the series, and you're right the our medium is Japan's hard. It's not too bad if you strategically use your special move, which doesn't take away your health of the meter is full. I hate Chakan, it just isn't fun. The Ghosts n Goblins game are all pretty tough, but I do think Ghouls m Ghosts is the easiest in the series. But at least this one is a lot of fun. I also hated GnG on the NES. I just picked up Robocop VS Terminator and im excited to play it. I've played through the SNES version and thought it was ok. Comix Zone is great, but so hard. It's pretty stupid that you loae health when attacking some things. Contra Hard Corp is so good, i love the different endings. It is definitely tough.

[@Fortefyre]

I didn't know you streamed, is it on Twitch?

[@CaptainAlgebra]

@Fortefyre no, on KZbin. I typically stream Tuesday nights at 8 pm Central and Fridays at 9 pm Central. Tuesday is usually what I feel like streaming or I take a request and on Friday I stream a Genesis game. Right now I'm streaming Dark Forces for Star Wars month.

[@Fortefyre]

I'll see if I can pop in for a little bit while I'm cooking dinner!

[@CaptainAlgebra]

@Fortefyre awesome! I saw you streaming the last couple nights and I hope to make it in at some point.

[@Scribblerjohnny]

I despise Comics Zone. Punching enemies makes your health go down

[@Fortefyre]

Mandatory damage is the WORST.

[@joek5882]

Ecco the Dolphin: my dad had to go "silent fury" with the game shop to force an exchange...the game was beyond terrible! Gaires: I was a legend at school because I could make it to level 3! 😱 However, it was Contra Hard Corps that was the reason I had rage issues at 17! 🤬🤬

[@Fortefyre]

Ecco is a testament to the sins of mankind, I HATE that game so much. Gaiares is solid though! I need to play Hard Corps again!

[@SegaCDUniverse]

I like the Shinobi game with the dog. You like dags?

[@Fortefyre]

Shadow Dancer, yeah, it's decent, I played the arcade title.

[@DeathToTheDictators]

Target Earth! So underrated and my fav Genesis game....hint: use control mode B (which holds your gun at whichever angle you want, until you reset it....keep it at a 45 degree angle the whole level, for example).

[@Fortefyre]

It's solid!

[@benaiahburns4046]

Many games were hard SIMPLY because the Genesis controller wasn't very responsive in some games. I never hear this however. With the NES, a game that played shoddy because of controls gets talked about, but the same isn't true for the Genesis. It is like Genesis was the under dog, and thus, no errors are seriously discussed, at least on the Genesis side. With that stated, I have the complete US library for the Genesis and the SNES and I love both consoles. Facts are facts though.

[@Fortefyre]

Wow! How long did that take you to complete?

[@seanfeld-]

I have a love-hate relationship with streets of rage 3. Mostly hate because it's frustratingly hard but it's pretty fun because it plays like the others that I love.

[@Fortefyre]

Streets of Rage 3 is....adopted

[@shenanitims4006]

Exactly. I remember suffering through and unlocking all those characters just cuz, “well it’s Streets of Rage 3, so it has to be as awesome as the other ones.” That was also that magical middle school time when every time you bought an album, you had to love it no matter how much it didn’t stack up to the other ones, cuz you bought it. And were stuck with it. Before Steam came along and severed that relationship with games. (“Well, I only paid $.46 for it during the last Christmas sale…”)

[@mr.milehi9883]

Target Earth I never beat it but I did enjoy the hell out of it. Hell man, you'll probably have 5,000 subscribers by the end of the week. And you deserve it.

[@Fortefyre]

That's very kind of you to say, thank you!

[@ventiankraus980]

My first console was nes when i was around 5. I only had 2 games. smb/duck hunt and top gun, (which was brutal). I got a genesis around the age of 8. Sonic 2, SF2, and the horror that was sub terrania. If you've ever played it, you know what I'm saying. Never thought about it but that's probably why i spend more time watching retro video game vids than playing video games. And because of sub terrania and top gun I've never been interested in flying. Always ends in fire.

[@Fortefyre]

That's an epic story, thanks for sharing it! I actually hear horrid things about Sub Terrania lol

[@bartsullivan4866]

I was going to say Chakan and their it was at #8. Shinobi I was never very good at either. Ninja Gaiden broke many a TV sets back in the day I managed to beat 1 got to the final boss of 2 but couldn't beat him. The Animated Batman game were hard as shit no way a little kid is going to finish those games. The series was awesome on TV the 1st show where I had real sympathy for the villains they were bad guys but they had good motivations you could see why they became that way. Eternal Champions was tough as well. Any Contra game is tough. Still don't know why they didn't put the original Contra on the NES Classic instead of Super C. Would have been much better playing with my son with the 30 guy code to get him into the game rather than get his balls handed to him in Super C.

[@Fortefyre]

Plus the code in super c was convoluted and different from the regular contra code lol

[@ilovecoffee6318]

Good video. I personally hated Ecco the Dolphin. Most of the time I swam around lost not knowing what to do. Alien Soldier was fun, though, despite being very tough

[@Fortefyre]

SAME

[@andyauthor2007]

Remember, Shadow Dancer is available on the Genesis, so you can again get your ass handed to you in the comfort of your own home. You REALLY want to get your ass handed to you in the comfort of your own home, play Undead Line. You can curse me out for suggesting it later.

[@Fortefyre]

All shinobi games are mean haha

[@TheWingus]

I'm learning I've just always sucked at video games. None of the games that I sucked so hard at ever make the "Hardest" lists, I've just always been in denial about how bad I am.

[@Fortefyre]

I'm horrible at video games too, so join the club haha

[@peterrosenau9570]

Why did they screw up the SoR3 US so badly... At least nowadays you can just grab the JP Rom or a Hack.

[@Fortefyre]

Right? I might buy the Japanese version just to have a more economic experience.

[@SegaCDUniverse]

Chakan looked cool, but boy that game was hard. Like you said.

[@Fortefyre]

It truly was.

[@pitprincexx1137]

I really wanted to enjoy Comix Zone bc the visuals are delightful, but it definitely deserves its place on this list! i never even finished it :(

[@Fortefyre]

I hope you go back and give it a shake!

[@dwightdixon8508]

Target Earth is one of those games I bought in early days of the Genesis and I absolutely hated it. Could never get past the first level. Traded it in to Funcoland only to repurchase it later to give it another go and yep, still couldn’t get past first level so it just sits on my shelf to this day

[@Fortefyre]

I was the same way, it's a gimmick lmao

[@meltedcopper9247]

Contra hardcorps is the castlevania 3 to that franchise. Multiple paths many characters different endings

[@Fortefyre]

I agree!

[@jroc9838]

Love your videos man keep up the great content

[@Fortefyre]

I'm glad you enjoy them!

[@jamesreece9502]

I rented Chakan way back then and hated it. I always found SOR 3 to be the easiest and most fun of the series or maybe I was just much better at gaming by the time it came out.

[@Fortefyre]

You probably were tuned into the genesis' difficulty by then haha

[@opaljk4835]

Hellfire should get a 6 button controller hack to switch weapons more fluidly.

[@Fortefyre]

That would be EPIC!

[@pharmcat8484]

You realize your conscious existence as well? It can be paralyzing, can’t it.

[@Fortefyre]

Yeah, quite often!

[@pharmcat8484]

Valis, yes. One of them is on the Switch online , and it’s brutal. The last game in the series is 🌽

[@Fortefyre]

I haven't played any of them yet, but I do know they exist, I don't even know what genre it is.

[@TheEvolutionizt]

Nice list. I just started collecting for the sega megadrive. (Europe) its a great system. Great pixel art

[@Fortefyre]

Nice! Any standout titles yet?

[@TheEvolutionizt]

@@Fortefyre sonic and streets of rage to start with and go from there! Keep the videos coming i enjoy them😁

[@gjergjaurelius9798]

Play the Japanese version of streets of rage 3. A lot my fair. I’d that version came here it would have been the favorite. Hell it’s my favorite.

[@Fortefyre]

Definitely will have to check it out!

[@gjergjaurelius9798]

@@Fortefyre the trilogy is on the current Sega collection. Or if you have a Xbox they got a exclusive trilogy you can buy. The collection is just streets of rage 1-3. You can pick which region you want to play. IDK why it's only on Xbox 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@x.kalibre]

I've beaten a few on the list and HMs but I'm not getting anywhere near horizontal shooters, too nerve-wrecking! :D Contra, indeed the only way to go is to play the Japanese version instead, and I'm gonna try to beat Echo in the near future when I muster the courage :P Thought you'd mention Alien 3 though, if only for the relentless timer. I'll do a Hard run eventually when I can get in that mindset :D And although I enjoy Revenge of Shinobi and Ghouls'n Ghosts, by far my favorite games on the list are Comix Zone and Alien Soldier. They both feel so unique that they're worth the hassle to beat :D

[@Fortefyre]

Ecco is.....I hated dolphins for a solid year because of that game lmao. I think for every game that tosses you bullshit, there needs to be an equal amount of enjoyment from said bullshit.

[@Parlimant_Strifey]

I beat Contra: Hard Corps and it's five endings in the day. It isn't that hard once you learn to abuse the sliding, then you get bored of repeating the first four levels; doesn't start getting good until you defeat those four levels.

[@x.kalibre]

@@Parlimant_Strifey still, the Japanese version allows 3 hits per life. It's quite likely a more relaxed run and sometimes that's all you ever want :P

[@shenanitims4006]

Fatal Labyrinth was the first(?) Rogue-like I played, and I was hooked. Definitely an interesting genre for you to explore, especially since they’ve become more “player friendly” as time went on.

[@Fortefyre]

They made more? I didn't know that!

[@shenanitims4006]

@@FortefyreIt’s an entire genre. Two, in fact. There’s “Rogue Like” and “Rogue Lites.” But yeah, the whole jist is essentially no saves, you die, you’re dead. The stages are generated for each play, so maps and such change. “Hades” from a few years ago was a real famous one. My favorite is “Enter the Gungeon.” I can pick that up and play it at any time.

[@Fortefyre]

Ohhh I thought you were saying more Fatal Lab titles lol

[@joeboo8626]

Last Battle is damn near impossible. We rented it from Blockbuster and spent hours on it, never getting very far. The dialogue is incredibly bad, poor translation? Worth a look. This game could have been an all-time classic if tweaked a bit.

[@Fortefyre]

Bad translations can absolutely WRECK a perfect game.

[@jasonblalock4429]

Last Battle was a rewritten westernized version of a Fist Of The North Star game, which is probably why the writing was bad. They pasted very generic writing on top of a story that originally had a solid foundation. (For anyone who doesn't know: FOTNS was an extremely popular - and incredibly bloody - post-apoc manga/anime in the 1980s. Imagine if Mad Max could make people explode just by punching them, and that's FOTNS.)

[@Fortefyre]

Interesting!

[@joshuawidener8407]

Contra is simple. Use a slide kick

[@Fortefyre]

I wish I had the reflexes lol.

[@Jinx_Skeel]

dude, you obviously didn't play Wardner. good luck

[@Fortefyre]

What have you introduced me to?!?!?

[@Jinx_Skeel]

@@Fortefyre "there is no peace other than the long darkness."

[@DongCorleone]

Love the emotion. You really brought us back to the moment in time sitting in front of the tv throwing down controllers and looking back to see your parents stunned like it was the first time they ever saw you mad.

[@Fortefyre]

Ever remember telling your parents the game cheated and they just stand there and smile and nod and walk away? Lol

[@DongCorleone]

@@Fortefyre hahaha Definitely. And they would say it is just a game and that would turn into an argument and then a grounding from said game. It was vicious cycle. hahaha

[@Fortefyre]

But deep down we knew... That game was fucking cheating.

[@myfirstseven8316]

LMFAO at the Shinobi commentary

[@Fortefyre]

I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@myfirstseven8316]

@@Fortefyre ah dude, the odd sarcastic shade you throw out about life from time to time in your stuff can knock me over. Just out of nowhere and hilarious. No more pure nihilist take available in gaming anywhere. I hope you get huge!

[@mccmavpower9340]

Wow no Disney movie games

[@Fortefyre]

So for me, a vast majority of the Disney movie games, usually just have ONE aspect that sucks, like outside of the monkey areas, Lion King isn't really that hard.

[@opaljk4835]

I love hard games. My favorite thing is getting good at something that is very challenging. I can 1CC at least 3 of the 4 paths in Contra Hard Corp. but then there’s bullshit like Chakan. That game just feels like nothing is ever connecting properly and enemys just don’t seem to be hurting…Double Jumping is fun, but that’s about it. I seriously think it could’ve been a good game, but as a player you’re just at a constant disadvantage. In reality this list could just be stuff like Toaplan games or western developed shit like Chakan and The Ooze; so I appreciate the variety here. Love a lot off this stuff. Gaiares is wonderful. If you send out the pod 6 times without touching anything and then connect with an enemy to take their power, you up with a great homing. Eliminate Down is much harder to me.

[@Fortefyre]

Eliminate down almost made this list to be honest lol. The Ooze and I have a VERY strong love/hate relationship, because it seems like mandatory damage is commonplace, and I hate that, so much. Toaplan *sigh* evil, pure evil lol.

[@gjergjaurelius9798]

Adventures of Batman and robin definitely in my top for genesis. Plus that soundtrack!🤟🏻💯

[@Fortefyre]

If Jesper Kyd did a concert, I'd buy tickets lol. It gives Carpenter Brut a run for his money!

[@Sinn0100]

I grew up in the 1990's and was a huge Genesis fan (I had a Sega Genesis/Sega CD and Snes). I have played every single game on this list. Most of them when they were brand new. There was "Nintendo hard" games and then there were these titles. Some of them are so difficult I started getting flashbacks. Games that gave me issues fronlm this list... 1. Echo The Dolphin 2. SOR3 3. Comix Zone (hated this game) 4. Target Earth 5. Fatal Labryinth

[@Fortefyre]

I probably would have been the same way. It was my neighbor who had the genesis, I was a n64 kid myself.

[@jmarx3943]

Well done list, good sir. Contra hard corps is one of my 3 favorite games on this console, as well as my personal favorite contra game. I recently went back to play it, and did ok up until the 2nd path branch. After that, i was burning through lives. It's one of those games you either memorize, or get crushed real quick.

[@Fortefyre]

Thank you! I want to get hard corps, but it's expensive lol

[@Adamtendo_player_1]

It’s almost as if the game programmer said let’s piss off gamers by making our games really, really difficult.

[@Fortefyre]

Which is probably true, but in many cases they were pressured to by Sega.

[@tidepoolclipper8657]

I say that Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 deserve mention. Especially with Sonic 2 having Metropolis Zone. While Sonic & Knuckles doesn't have save files, the least it gives you the elemental shields and has easier special stages.

[@Fortefyre]

I guess I lucked out with being somewhat decent at Sonic lol

[@TadashiNazuka]

I agree with this list. I beat a few of these games only because of cheat codes, but could never beat any of them without cheats, except for SOR3, and that was just dedication.

[@Fortefyre]

Attrition 101 it seems lol

[@mikeburkhart8336]

Didn't play many Sega Genesis games since I was more into the SNES. But Vectorman,Sonic 3,and Ecco the Dolphin were all aggravating to me.

[@Fortefyre]

I didn't mind Sonic 3, Sonic 3 & Knuckles was WAYYY too long to play, Ecco is just trash lmfao.

[@CobraShuttle]

Good list. 5/10 I knew about, and I've just recently dove into the Genesis library.

[@Fortefyre]

I'm glad to have provided some insight! :)

[@joe-yuugen]

Great video and commentary as usual. Your comments are hilarious and enjoyable.

[@Fortefyre]

Thank you!

[@EsmeAmelia]

I love Contra: Hard Corps. The multiple playable characters and branching paths make it especially badass.

[@Fortefyre]

It definitely offers some replayability!

[@chadgaul1681]

Contra: Hard Corps is my absolute favorite game on the Genesis and the best Contra game IMO. The multiple characters, the branching pathways, the alternate endings, the nonstop boss fights, its highly addictive gameplay and difficulty spikes was what won me over. I love hard games. I guess you can say I eat nails for breakfast and snort lines of crushed Carolina Reaper up my nose. I also LOVE Ghouls 'N Ghosts, which I feel is a perfectly fine port of the original Arcade. For those who want to get into the Ghosts 'N Goblins games, I strongly recommend starting with this one on the Genesis because unlike the first game, it feels a bit more fair and forgiving with its unlimited continues and generous checkpoints.

[@mrmovieprop]

Robocop vs terminator was not that hard. Big thing get the right gun and dont lose it. Streets of rage 3 was definately harder than the others in the series. Contra hard corps was so hard it was not even fun to play. It was nothing but bosses and midlevel bosses you had to pattern memorize to get past.

[@Fortefyre]

I found it to be quite hard lol.

[@mrmovieprop]

@@Fortefyre It has multiple difficulty levels. If you change to a bad gun before you are about to die you can keep the good weapon. Also exploring for the extra health and lives is helpful.