It is the HARDEST game i have ever played. I'd say thats hardcore. My definition of hardcore means that the game is difficult to play. It doesn't mean that it has violence and nudity.

@Serious, most in fact all fighting games to me are casual games. But as I mentioned before a "HARDCORE" gamer can play a "Casual" game. Most of the time there in it to be the best, to take it upon themselves to master ever little detail of said character, and to beat the rest of the world :P I know many people like that in rock band, however, when I PLAY, I usually stick to medium, with no goal of ever playing on hard or expert. I play it to have fun, and casually pass the time by playing with my friends, who COULD be "hardcore". Fighting games weren't meant to be played through time and time again.

As I mentioned with monkey ball, the goal seems to be to unlock everything, and once you've done that, your left with the main plate. An RPG is meant to be experienced time and time again, it's not meant for a person who enjoys playing video games when he's drunk with some buddies, or for 20 minutes before the big game, or for almost any type of casual encounter. When you beat Zelda, do you pick it up again in 4 years just to putz around with some enemy's? Sure, but chances are you want to re-do the dungeons, re-live some of the story, I personally want to start again from the start and just get everything all over again because that in itself was part of the experience. Thats what separates "Hardcore" and "Casual" games for me.

 None of that makes a game "hardcore. That makes a really stupid premise for a game though :D If the meat of the game came from an engrossing storyline that one would want to see over and over again. I might be able to consider it "hardcore". But if it's filled with blood, guts, and sex, and still focus's on being able to pick it up and play with no serious commitment, it's a casual game. No way around it :/

Games that are uncompromising with its design are hardcore. The designer is usually king. You have to follow the system (rules, etc.). You'll either love it or hate it. But the designer do not care. You take it or leave it. Rarely these games sell because of its uncompromising nature, and rarely do big publishers take them.

Example games:
* Alien Soldier (MD)
* Umihara Kawase(SFC)

Casual games, on the other hand, are toned down to please everyone. The system is simplified to provide quick gratification. Usually, marketing has a big say on this.

However, casual games and hardcore games are not a dichotomy. If it's not casual, it doesn't mean its hardcore, or vice versa. You can play a hardcore game quickly. You can play casual games long.

@Hotrodx, Casual games are usually played much longer than hardcore ones :P It's just for me they don't have a lasting appeal in my memory banks, easy to play, easy to forget. I've had so many fantastic matches in smash brothers, but I can't really recall any personal moments for me, just the fun of playing :P

@ChronotriggerJM

Like I said, you can play casual games long. But the gratification is quick. Your example, Smash Brothers, exemplify it (quick round matches). Wii Sports, too. My mom and I spend long hours with it.

That's the "casual" in casual games. That's why RPGs aren't casual (but they aren't necessarily hardcore, either).

Hardcore games have a niche feeling in them. And while the facade may look "casual" (as in cute), it can be hardcore.

Very true :P Pokemon is pretty damn hardcore >_E GOTTA CATCH ALL THOSE BASTARDS.

nowadays, games that are considered 'hardcore' are games w/ guns --> FPS's --> xbox360

Pokemon is definitely not casual (gratification is delayed). But I'm not sure with being hardcore. Nintendo has come up with a winning formula (one that generated several sequels), and I doubt that the designers have any problem with marketing. (I think they are in concert because marketing can have several toys out).

It's not the difficulty per se that makes a game hardcore. It's the uncompromising nature of the designer. Usually if you pick up a hardcore game, there's a bit of resistance on your part because the designer had a different vision on how to do things. But if you persevere, you may come to appreciate the game. Or maybe hate it even more.

Pokemon, is an OC game, just like Monster Hunter. It sucks you in and you can't let go (just one more monster, one more hunt, one more item). It has a certain formula, the urge to collect.

IMO, Pokemon is neither hardcore nor casual.

Yeah, Pokemon can go either way, for guys like me that need to level everything up to like max status and such, I could get a lot of mileage out of it, but I know plenty of people just either just enjoy it for the trading aspects or the dueling aspects. My friend would rather just duel using my Pokemon red than actually play through the game xD He likes the strategic elements (even though they really aren't that robust in pokemon :x ), I liked the grinding. Pokemon is definitely an in-between I'd say.