9 Games That Challenge New Players

Video games can be a thrilling escape, but some throw you into the deep end with no warning. For beginners, these titles can feel like climbing a mountain with no gear, demanding quick reflexes, deep strategy, or sheer perseverance right from the start.

This list highlights nine games that are notoriously tough for newcomers. Each one has a steep learning curve, but they’re also packed with rewards for those willing to push through the pain.

9. Super Monkey Ball (2001)

‘Super Monkey Ball’ is a deceptively cute game where you tilt stages to guide a monkey in a ball to the goal. Its simple controls hide brutal precision demands, with narrow paths and tight timers that punish small mistakes.

New players often struggle with the sensitive controls and unforgiving level design. Even early stages can feel impossible, but mastering the tilt mechanics offers a satisfying sense of progress.

8. Contra: Hard Corps (1994)

This Genesis run-and-gun shooter has you blasting through waves of enemies as one of four characters. Unlike other ‘Contra’ games, it adds a health bar, but the relentless enemy onslaught and limited continues make it a nightmare for beginners.

The game’s fast pace and tricky patterns overwhelm newbies. Success comes from memorizing enemy spawns and mastering dodges, which feels daunting at first.

7. I Wanna Be The Guy (2007)

This freeware platformer is a love letter to retro games, packed with traps and surprises that kill you instantly. You play as The Kid, navigating a world where everything from apples to spikes can end your run.

Beginners face a trial-and-error gauntlet, with no checkpoints to ease the pain. The game’s charm lies in its absurd difficulty, but it demands patience and quick learning.

6. Battletoads (1991)

‘Battletoads’ is an NES beat-’em-up with a mix of fighting and brutal vehicle sections. You control toads Rash, Zitz, or Pimple, battling through levels that shift from brawls to high-speed obstacle courses.

The infamous Turbo Tunnel bike stage stops new players cold with its lightning-fast pace. Timing and reflexes are key, and early mistakes can feel like a brick wall.

5. Ninja Gaiden (2004)

This action game puts you in the shoes of Ryu Hayabusa, a ninja slicing through enemies in a 3D world. Its fast combat and aggressive foes require precise timing and quick reactions from the first level.

Beginners often get stuck on the tough early bosses and limited healing items. The game rewards practice, but its steep difficulty can scare off newcomers fast.

4. Ninja Gaiden Black (2005)

‘Ninja Gaiden Black’, an enhanced version of the 2004 reboot, puts you in control of Ryu Hayabusa, a master ninja slicing through foes in a fast-paced, brutal world. The game’s relentless enemies and complex combat system demand precision, with even basic grunts able to punish sloppy moves from the opening stage.

New players often get overwhelmed by the aggressive AI and limited resources, like healing items. Mastering combos and timing is crucial, but the steep learning curve makes every fight a test of skill and patience.

3. Bloodborne (2015)

‘Bloodborne’ is a dark fantasy action RPG where you play a Hunter in the gothic city of Yharnam. Its fast-paced combat and lack of shields force aggressive play, with tough enemies waiting around every corner.

Beginners often die repeatedly to early mobs, as the game demands quick adaptation to its dodge-heavy mechanics. Patience and learning enemy patterns are the only way forward.

2. Demon’s Souls (2009)

The original Souls game, ‘Demon’s Souls’ has you exploring a dark fantasy world as a customizable hero. With no checkpoints like later titles and a World Tendency system that ramps up difficulty, it’s brutal from the start.

Newcomers face punishing enemies and limited healing, with death making the game harder. It’s a test of grit, but mastering its systems feels incredibly rewarding.

1. Dark Souls (2011)

‘Dark Souls’ defined a genre with its grim world and unrelenting challenge. You play a chosen undead, exploring a decaying kingdom where every enemy can kill you in a few hits if you’re not careful.

The game throws tough foes and traps at beginners early on, with no hand-holding. Learning through failure is the core of its design, making every victory hard-earned.

Which game gave you the toughest time as a beginner, or is there another brutal title I missed? Share your struggles in the comments!