It's a badge of honor and supposably a way to say that one system is better by saying, "My system is better because it is for hardcore gamers," and something to argue over when one says "your system of choice doesn't have a lot of hardcore games."
The term hardcore has two meanings. It can mean something that is difficult or something that you can do better than others by demonstrations of your skills ie. pure arcade games that have always been more about points than stories because of your skills and dedication to the game. Or it has a another connotation, but thankfully games like ******'* ******* aren't taking up spots on sales charts or coming soon to XBLA.
One who spends more time on blogs than games is probably a hardcore blogger rather than a hardcore gamer.
Heavens to Murgatoids.
