Video Games That Were Impossible To Beat Without Cheats

Old arcade games were notoriously hard. This wasn’t just for a challenge – because the games were short, developers made them difficult to keep players spending coins. Levels demanded perfect timing and players often had to memorize exactly how enemies moved. Some dedicated players could overcome these hurdles with practice, but many others needed help. Cheat codes and devices like the Game Genie became popular ways for people to finally see the end of these tough games.

‘Silver Surfer’ (1990)

Players guide a hero through challenging flight-based levels. However, the game is notorious for being incredibly difficult – even a slight touch of anything in the environment results in instant failure. Enemies constantly fire projectiles, demanding players memorize attack patterns and react with perfect timing. Many players relied on cheat codes accessed through extra hardware just to see the ending. It’s widely considered one of the most frustratingly unbalanced games ever made for its console.

‘Battletoads’ (1991)

This action game challenges players with fast-paced levels that require quick reactions and precise timing. The ‘Turbo Tunnel’ level is particularly famous for its speed and instant-death obstacles. A bug in the two-player mode prevents players from completing the final levels together. Many players used cheats like level skips or extra lives to reach the final boss, the Dark Queen. The game’s sudden increase in difficulty was intentionally designed to discourage players from completing rental copies too quickly.

‘Ghosts ‘n Goblins’ (1985)

In this game, players control Sir Arthur as he attempts to save a princess, battling waves of undead and demons along the way. To unlock the complete story, you’ll need to play through the entire adventure not once, but twice. The gameplay is incredibly difficult – a single hit removes your armor, leaving you vulnerable to instant defeat. With so many enemies and strict time constraints, most players relied on an infinite lives cheat to progress. It’s widely considered one of the most challenging arcade and console platformers ever made.

‘Contra’ (1987)

Highly skilled soldiers fight off an alien invasion through challenging levels. The gameplay is precise, but characters are very fragile – just one hit from an enemy or bullet is fatal. With a limited number of chances to continue, completing the game is incredibly difficult for most players. This game became famous for the Konami Code, which gave players thirty extra lives, helping them overcome the limited starting amount. Many fans wouldn’t have been able to finish the game without using this well-known cheat code.

‘Ninja Gaiden’ (1988)

As a huge fan, I remember being totally blown away by Ryu Hayabusa’s journey to America in this game! It’s a classic revenge story – he’s trying to avenge his father and foil a really evil plan. What stood out to me was how cinematic it felt, with all those cool cutscenes. But man, it was hard. Enemies just kept coming at you, and in the later levels, getting knocked into those pits by flying enemies was incredibly annoying! The worst part? If you finally lost to the boss, you had to start the entire level over. A lot of us used cheat codes just to get to the end and see how the story wrapped up, honestly. It was brutal, but still awesome!

‘Takeshi’s Challenge’ (1986)

This game was intentionally created to be incredibly confusing and annoying. Players have to do strange things, such as holding buttons for long periods or singing into a microphone. It’s so illogical that it’s nearly impossible to play without help, like a walkthrough or cheat codes. Many actions instantly end the game without telling you why. Some consider it more of an art project designed to poke fun at video games than a traditional game.

‘The Lion King’ (1994)

Okay, so this game is based on the Disney movie, and honestly, it’s way harder than it looks! The second level is brutal – you have to time your jumps perfectly on these animal heads, and you’ll fall a lot. Apparently, the developers intentionally made it tough so people wouldn’t beat it during the weekend after renting it. I remember as a kid, I always had to use cheat codes just to see the ending! And then they threw in these levels where you play as adult Simba, and the fighting got seriously complicated – it was a real challenge even for those of us who were already good at games.

‘Ikaruga’ (2001)

This shoot ’em up features a special mechanic where you switch between black and white. To stay alive amidst the constant barrage of bullets, you need to absorb those that match your current color. The game is incredibly challenging, requiring both sharp focus and quick reactions, especially as you progress. Many players struggle with the intense bullet patterns and rely on practice or temporary invincibility to succeed. While praised for its strategic depth, it’s known as one of the toughest shooters ever made.

‘F-Zero GX’ (2003)

This racing game is incredibly fast and truly tests your skills and your console’s capabilities. The story mode missions demand flawless driving – even a small mistake can ruin your run. Expect tough competition from the AI opponents, who aren’t afraid to bump you off course at critical moments. Many players found it nearly impossible to unlock everything without using cheat codes. While the speed is thrilling, the game is notoriously difficult, with a steep learning curve.

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (1989)

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have to battle through both the streets of New York and dangerous underwater areas to defeat Shredder. One particularly tough underwater level, featuring a dam, is famous for being incredibly time-sensitive and filled with deadly electric seaweed. The final stage, set in the Technodrome, is almost impossibly difficult because enemies constantly reappear and the platforms are very narrow. Many players struggled for years to get past the beginning of the game, often resorting to cheat codes or giving up entirely. Despite its difficulty, it’s still remembered as one of the hardest licensed games on the Nintendo console.

‘Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna’ (1987)

In this game, you play as the bad guy trying to escape from a dungeon you built. It’s packed with tricky traps and puzzles designed for players who are already experts in the series. A single mistake early on can ruin your entire playthrough. The game is notoriously difficult – so much so that the developers added a way to call in a ghostly helper. Even with assistance, navigating the levels and fighting enemies demands a lot of patience and often requires looking up guides online.

‘Jet Set Willy’ (1984)

This platforming game challenges players to gather items within a huge mansion, but it had a major problem at launch. A bug made it impossible to finish the game legitimately, as glitches in several rooms would either instantly kill players or prevent them from collecting essential items. Players needed to use unofficial fixes – like software patches or code alterations – to overcome these issues and see the ending. It’s a well-known example of a game that was truly unplayable without outside help.

‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ (1988)

Okay, so in this game, you play as a doctor desperately trying to get to his wedding, but everything is trying to stop you. There are tons of obstacles and people chasing you, and the more damage you take, the more stressed you get. When your stress meter fills up, you turn into a monster! But here’s the really weird part: becoming the monster too much actually makes you lose the game if the monster level gets higher than the doctor level. Honestly, the game felt super unfair – the hitboxes were wonky and enemies were placed in the worst spots. I, like a lot of other players, basically needed invincibility cheat codes just to make it to the church without ripping my hair out.

‘Ikari Warriors’ (1986)

This game puts you in the shoes of a soldier battling through a dense jungle packed with tanks and enemy troops. Movement is slow and you’re constantly under heavy fire. Players often run out of ammo, leaving them vulnerable. Luckily, the game features the well-known ‘ABBA’ cheat code, which lets you continue playing after being defeated. Most players wouldn’t have been able to reach the end without it.

‘Top Gun’ (1987)

While flying a fighter jet seems thrilling, the game becomes incredibly difficult when you have to land on an aircraft carrier. The landing process is complicated, with unclear instructions that frequently cause crashes and force you to restart. Dogfights are also tough because of the restricted view and relentless enemy planes. Many players got stuck early on due to these challenging landings. Thankfully, cheat codes let players bypass these frustrating parts and experience more of the game.

‘Dragon’s Lair’ (1983)

This beloved arcade game tells a story through animation, following a knight venturing into a treacherous castle. Gameplay involves a series of fast-paced, timed button presses – mess up, and you instantly lose a life. Because success depended on memorizing the sequence of events rather than player skill, it quickly became notorious for eating up players’ money. Many players eventually turned to home console versions, which offered unlimited lives, allowing them to finally experience the complete story.

‘Zelda II: The Adventure of Link’ (1987)

The second game in the series changed to a side-scrolling style and added a lot more role-playing features. Battles are significantly harder than before, as enemies can defend against attacks from above and below. Getting through the final area, the Great Palace, means facing a series of the game’s most challenging enemies. Some players used a trick to easily win the final boss fight by hiding in a corner. Without using cheat codes or taking advantage of weaknesses in the combat system, rescuing Zelda is a very difficult task.

‘Fester’s Quest’ (1989)

Uncle Fester needs to protect the city from aliens, and he has a bunch of cool gadgets to help him do it. However, the game’s top-down view and slow pace make it hard to dodge attacks. The weapons are also tricky – picking up the wrong power-ups can actually make you less powerful! The boss fights are long and demand perfect timing. Because the combat is so challenging and repetitive, many players ended up using turbo controllers or cheat codes to get through it.

‘The Adventures of Bayou Billy’ (1988)

This game tries to combine fighting, driving, and shooting into a single, unified experience. However, it’s noticeably more challenging than other games of those types. Enemies take a lot of damage, while the player is vulnerable and can be defeated quickly. The driving sections are filled with obstacles that are extremely difficult to avoid when speeding. Because of the harsh difficulty, many players resorted to using a secret cheat menu to help them succeed.

‘Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels’ (1986)

This game was initially considered too challenging for players in the West and was swapped out for another title. It’s known for its tricky design, including hidden blocks, wind effects, and poisonous mushrooms meant to mislead you. Many jumps demand extremely precise timing, making it feel more like solving a puzzle than a traditional platformer. Players aiming to finish everything often rely on save states or cheats to access the game’s secret areas. It’s a good example of how difficult early platforming games could be.

‘Sinistar’ (1982)

In this game, players collect crystals to create bombs, all while trying to escape a huge, robotic face that relentlessly chases them. The villain’s voice adds to the stressful and fast-paced action. Sinistar is much quicker than the player and can quickly end a game if you’re not careful. Arcades earned a lot of money from this game because matches were often very short. Many players only experienced the later levels thanks to modern emulators that allow the use of cheat codes.

‘Defender’ (1981)

Okay, so this game is a classic horizontal shooter where you’re basically trying to save people from aliens! It’s super intense because you have to watch a radar and control your ship, which takes some getting used to – the controls aren’t exactly simple. If you let too many people get snatched, the whole planet blows up, and then things get really hard. Honestly, it’s one of the most challenging arcade games I’ve ever played. You’re constantly dodging tons of enemies moving at crazy speeds. Most of us only made it through the later levels by using infinite smart bombs – seriously, they were a lifesaver!

‘Robotron: 2084’ (1982)

Players must defend humanity from a massive robot invasion in a fast-paced arena filled with hundreds of enemies. The game’s unique dual-joystick controls were groundbreaking, but very difficult to learn. Each new wave of robots fires faster and more projectiles, quickly turning the screen into a chaotic blur. It’s a demanding test of skill and stamina that few can handle for long. Newer versions often add features like slow motion or temporary invincibility to let players fully experience the game’s original design.

‘R-Type’ (1987)

This classic shooting game lets you use a drone to deflect bullets and add extra attack power. The levels are tight and challenging, filled with huge bosses that don’t leave much space to move. When you die, you lose all your upgrades and have to start back at a checkpoint – there’s no way to get them back. This makes the game increasingly difficult the more you fail. Many players used cheat codes to get powerful weapons and make it to the end.

‘Gauntlet’ (1985)

This game lets up to four players adventure through huge dungeons overrun with monsters. Players are constantly losing health, so they have to keep moving and find food to survive. Like the arcade version that required constant payments to continue, the game is incredibly challenging without cheats. It’s designed as a relentless test of endurance, and was originally meant to be nearly impossible to beat without spending money – making it a memorable social experience.

‘Smash TV’ (1990)

Players battle for survival and rewards in a brutal game show. The screen is overrun with enemies attacking from every side. While power-ups help, they don’t last long enough to handle the constant waves of attackers. It’s incredibly chaotic, making it hard to dodge every blow. Many players at home used cheat codes to get extra lives and overcome the difficult boss battles.

‘Mortal Kombat II’ (1993)

As a huge fan of this fighting game, let me tell you, the arcade version was BRUTAL. The AI was seriously smart – it could react to everything you did instantly. The computer opponents would flawlessly block or dodge anything you threw at them, which meant all your usual fighting tactics just didn’t work, especially against the tougher bosses. Honestly, a lot of us had to look up glitches or use secret codes just to even get to Shao Kahn! It was tough on purpose, you know? They wanted to keep us feeding quarters into the machine!

‘The Immortal’ (1990)

Okay, so I’m playing this game as an old wizard, and I’m desperately trying to find my mentor. The problem is, the whole place is a death trap! Seriously, every room feels like it’s designed to kill you, and you have to just… experiment to figure out how not to die. The fighting is super tough – you have to time everything perfectly, or you’re toast. And the puzzles? Forget about hints, you’re just guessing until something works. Honestly, most of us just used cheat codes to jump to different levels because it was brutal. It’s an old-school isometric adventure, and it doesn’t hold your hand at all.

‘Action 52’ (1991)

This unofficial game cartridge claimed to have fifty-two games, but most were poorly made and didn’t work properly. Many were riddled with errors, preventing players from even completing the first stage. Common problems included messed-up collisions and characters falling through the floor. Some games even caused the entire console to freeze or crash. The only way to see past the broken start screens was to use cheat codes.

‘Cheetahmen II’ (1992)

This game was never fully released and remains very glitchy. Players can’t progress past the second level because the code needed to unlock the third level was never finished. The controls feel awkward, and it’s often difficult to even register hits against enemies. Fans had to use hacks and fix programming errors themselves to access any of the intended later parts of the game. Essentially, it’s a game that’s unplayable in its original state without outside intervention.

‘Star Wars’ (1991)

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game based on this popular story is famous for being very challenging, and players don’t get many chances to keep playing. It demands precise timing in both jumping sections and vehicle-based levels. The game’s floaty jumping can make the levels inside the Death Star especially frustrating, leading to frequent, unfair deaths. The boss battle with Darth Vader is particularly tough unless you’ve really learned how to control the character. Because of the difficulty, many players relied on cheat codes published in gaming magazines just to be able to see the game’s ending.

‘Bionic Commando’ (1988)

The game replaces jumping with a grappling hook for getting around, which is tricky to learn and often results in deadly falls. Later stages add enemies that can easily knock you off platforms. Fighting is also hard because of the arm’s restricted range of motion. Many players relied on cheat codes for extra lives when attempting to reach the final base.

‘Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse’ (1989)

This earlier game in the series let players choose from several characters and experience different storylines. The version released in America was much more challenging than the original Japanese game, with enemies dealing a lot more damage – some could even take out a big chunk of your health with just one attack. The game is famous for its incredibly difficult stair and jumping sections, which often left even experienced players feeling stuck. Because of this, many players relied on passwords or cheat codes to get past the hardest parts.

‘Ghouls ‘n Ghosts’ (1988)

This new game builds on the first one with more enemies and trickier levels. You can now shoot in multiple directions, making the battles more challenging. Just like the original, you have to complete the game twice to unlock the final boss. Because enemies appear randomly, you can’t just memorize patterns to win. Many players found that using invincibility cheats was the only way to get through it!

‘Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!’ (1987)

In Punch-Out!!, players control Little Mac as he works his way up the boxing ladder to challenge the best. Early opponents are about learning their patterns, but the later fights demand incredibly precise timing. The final boss, Mike Tyson, is especially tough – he can knock you down with just one hit early in the fight! The game is so challenging that many players struggled to win. Some used special codes to practice the final fight without having to play through the whole game again.

‘Mega Man 9’ (2008)

As a long-time fan, I was so excited when this game came out! It’s clearly a love letter to the old 8-bit days, and boy, is it challenging! Seriously, get ready for some seriously tough spikes and puzzles where you have to time everything perfectly. The bosses are way more relentless than in previous games, and honestly, that’s part of the appeal. They really nailed that feeling of a classic game you could never quite beat. And there’s a cool shop in the game where you can buy items that basically give you a little help – totally legit ways to get past the hardest parts!

‘Solaris’ (1986)

This Atari 2600 space game was incredibly ambitious for its time, really testing the console’s capabilities. Players had to carefully plan routes on a galactic map, keeping track of fuel and enemy ships. The action was quick, demanding that you shoot down approaching enemies to protect your planets. However, the game was notoriously difficult to figure out without help. Many players relied on cheat codes to maintain a full fuel supply and explore everything the game had to offer.

‘Viewtiful Joe’ (2003)

This fast-paced action game looks great, but gets much harder as you increase the difficulty. Combat involves manipulating time – slowing it down to dodge attacks or speeding it up to counter. Bosses are incredibly tough, with a lot of health and attacks that can quickly deplete your own. Getting a perfect score takes serious skill, and many players relied on cheat codes like Action Replay to unlock hidden characters and gain unlimited visual effects.

‘God Hand’ (2006)

This beat ’em up game gets harder as you play better, eventually becoming incredibly difficult. The static camera angle and unusual controls also make combat more challenging. Many players found the later levels frustratingly difficult, and often relied on cheat codes just to finish the game – a testament to its demanding nature, but also a reason why it became a cult classic.

‘Street Fighter II Turbo’ (1992)

This updated version of the classic fighting game made the AI opponent incredibly challenging. It moves and reacts with unbelievable speed, making it hard to find a chance to attack. On the hardest settings, the AI flawlessly blocks or counters everything you do. This was a common arcade tactic – making the game extremely difficult to encourage players to keep spending money. Thankfully, home console releases included cheat options to slow the game down or give players an advantage.

‘Gradius’ (1985)

This classic shooter featured a unique power-up system that players had to carefully manage during battles. Dying meant losing all your power-ups, making the game much more challenging. Later levels were packed with tough obstacles and enemies that demanded a fully powered ship to overcome. This game is famous for being the first to include the Konami Code, which allowed players to quickly restore their weapons. Without a way to replenish shields and missiles, the game could become incredibly frustrating.

‘X-Men’ (1993)

This Sega Genesis game offered diverse missions and let players control mutants with special abilities. A particularly tricky part of the game actually required players to physically press the reset button on the console itself. This instruction often confused players, leading them to believe the game was glitched or unbeatable. Without discovering this unusual solution, they couldn’t move forward. This puzzle, which relies on a solution outside the game’s normal rules, is well-known as a clever and surprising challenge.

‘Pit-Fighter’ (1990)

While the game looked good for its time, the actual fighting felt clunky and awkward. The battles involved doing the same moves over and over, and the computer opponents were often unfair, easily cornering players. Plus, you didn’t regain health between rounds, making it incredibly tough to get through the later levels. Because of the difficulty, many players resorted to using cheat codes to boost their health or power. Ultimately, this game is remembered more for being frustratingly hard than for being enjoyable.

‘Batman: The Video Game’ (1989)

Batman has to navigate the dangerous streets of Gotham and make his way to the Joker, who’s hiding in a cathedral. Getting there involves challenging jumps and climbing, often requiring players to bounce off walls to reach higher areas. Enemies are strategically placed to make these climbing sections especially difficult and hard to complete without getting hit. The final battle with the Joker is a grueling test of skill and precise timing. Because the platforming is so demanding, many players used a cheat code to practice the tricky parts without having to keep replaying the entire level.

‘Bart vs. the Space Mutants’ (1991)

In this Bart Simpson game, players need to prevent an alien invasion using spray paint and various tools. The first level is famously challenging, demanding perfect timing and the discovery of well-hidden items. Missing anything prevents you from moving forward. The tricky controls and slippery movement make the jumping sections particularly difficult and often lead to frustrating falls. Many players remember this game being surprisingly hard for a title aimed at a younger audience.

‘Comix Zone’ (1995)

This game is set inside a comic book, with a distinctive art style. A unique feature is that every attack you make slightly damages you, making each fight a gamble and demanding careful play. As you advance through the story, the puzzles and battles get much harder. Some players preferred using cheat codes to bypass the health drain and fully appreciate the game’s visuals without constantly worrying about dying.

‘Mushihimesama’ (2004)

This fast-paced shooter throws a massive number of projectiles at the player simultaneously. Its hardest difficulty is notorious for being incredibly challenging, even for genre veterans. Successfully dodging the relentless bullet patterns demands extreme concentration and precise control. While many players rely on continues or practice modes with slower speeds to get through it, the game is a brilliantly designed experience that very few have truly conquered without assistance.

‘Holy Diver’ (1989)

This platformer, originally released only in Japan, draws strong inspiration from heavy metal and dark fantasy themes. It’s notorious for its incredibly challenging levels on the 8-bit console. Enemies reappear immediately after being defeated, and the player character is large, making it very difficult to avoid damage. Players have limited magic abilities, so precise aiming is crucial. It’s become a beloved but punishingly difficult classic among dedicated gamers.

‘Section Z’ (1987)

Okay, so this game is seriously intense! You’re basically flying around this huge base with a jetpack, trying to get to the final boss. The catch? You’re constantly flipping around to shoot enemies, and the levels are like these crazy mazes. I spent so much time getting lost! It’s really fast-paced combat, and honestly, you pretty much have to memorize every room to survive. A lot of us relied on cheat codes just to find our way around and stay alive – they were a lifesaver, really!

‘Abadox’ (1989)

This game is set inside a huge, living alien creature and uses both side-scrolling and top-down perspectives. The environment is dangerous – even touching the walls means instant death! Enemies move erratically and often attack from outside the screen. The boss fights are epic and demand precise strategies to dodge their attacks. Many players used invincibility codes just to explore the game’s incredibly detailed and creative alien world.

We want to hear about the video game that frustrated you so much you had to resort to a cheat code! Share your story in the comments below.

2026-02-08 15:52