Some people like to play games they consider 'hard' because they think they're 'hardcore'. Other people play games they consider hard because they think an easy game doesn't challenge them anymore.
I on the other hand learned a while ago, last gen to be exact, that I was looking for those so called 'hard' games and only getting myself frustrated. So instead, I started to look for games I actually thought looked fun, no matter if they were easy, hard or whatever. And in the process, I found games that were both easy and hard, but just fun all around. No longer was I purposely forcing myself to play games like Virtua Fighter or F-Zero or Guilty Gear X just because people said it took 'skill' or it was a 'challenge'. Instead, I was playing what I wanted to play. And I've been doing that ever since.
Consequently, I also played Ninja Gaiden around this time and people stated it was too hard, but it was one of my favorite games. And I attribute that to me not trying to play it as a goal of 'beating' it, but as enjoying it.
Six upcoming games you should look into:
