Damned golden chocobo, I just gave up

And Emerald and Ruby weapon was easy(ish) with omnislash and limit break

I just remember spending HOURS and DAYS on some little island constantly killing these little plant things to get from level about 55 (I think thats what I was about when I first finished it) to level 99 to be ready. Oh dear that was draining... it felt so rewarding to afterwards see that damn Ruby beast die DIE DIE!!!!.... <draws breath>

Was also amusing to then go kill Sephiroth in about one move when it took some real doing killing him the first time around at about level 55 :P

Also, on the topic...

An honourable mention to Suikoden 1 and 2.

Gaining all 108 stars on both games, and more of a personal achievement as its one of the few difficult things I did without using any kind of guide... well other than my own made from scribbles on pieces of paper reminding me how to get certain ones so I didnt miss them on the next play through as I tried to get more until all 108 were found and recruited ^.^

Off-topic: damn Sony needs to release those games on PSN Europe :( I miss them (and Xenogears)

I have to pay my respects to FF7. As a previous poster mentioned, getting the Gold Chocobo was one hell of a feat! Lots of chocobo racing, feeding, and humping. But it finally worked! Also defeating Ruby and Emerald weapons, those battles were just IMMENSE!!!! And VERY rewarding once defeated!!

However, let me give another 2 examples just for the sake of adding something new to the topic:

1. Burnout 3: Takedown (my all-time favorite racing game) - I was obssessed with obtaining a gold medal on every kind of challenge. So I believe it was the World Circuit Racer that I unlocked (its like a formula 1 car). So this car is RIDICULOUSLY fast! Now I have to beat the lap challenge, and you had to beat it within a certain time to get the gold medal. In order to do so, you have to literally drive all the way through the lap with your boost at full-blast, and in order to do so you have to drive in the lane going AGAINST the traffic (as that is how to accumelate boost), and not get into a single car crash or bump any wall. Getting the gold medal in that challenge certainly grinded my thumbs down to the bone. I must've have tried it hundreds of times, and each one was so damn enjoyable! I just loved the lap challenges. So when i finally beat it, the sense of accomplishment is akin to that of someone climbing mount everest! but in the safe warm confines of my home! It was GLORIOUS!!!!

2. I recall the first God of War Challenge of the Gods being quite a challenge. I believe there were 10 challenges, and not all of them were hard, some were actually easy, but there were a few that were damn near impossible! Just pure chaos! And whatmade it worse was that you couldn't save in between challenges, so you literally had to finish them all in one shot! I have my PS2 on for a couple days straight to defeat all those challenges. I'm surprised it didn't explode on me! So yeah, that was quite memorable.

Those are the first 2 that came to my mind. I have faced countless other challenges in other games as well, if I remember them i might come back and share them.

Agreed.

Racing games need more of a mention here- try doing some of GT's race, F1 2009/10 without Driving Aids with hard CPU is also a challenge

Gutted that they cancelled the Bahrain GP...

I find that one to actually be detrimental, since you have to skip over a lot of other stuff (basically, everything else) to get it.

Never played FF9, but getting Excalibur in FF12 was fun!