What is hardcore anyway? Back in the days playing a platformer like Mega Man or Battletoads were for "hardcore" gamers, nowadays it seems that only hyperrealistic games with guns and blood is "hardcore". I don't buy that! Gamers play what they want, and if you're looking for games for "hardcore" gamers like nowadays people think is "hardcore" they should try Xenoblade Chronicles X for the Wii U, that's hardcore!

Yoshi's Cookie

/topic

Well, to use the (not always) reliable Google Dictionary...

"the most active, committed, or doctrinaire members of a group or movement."

So I would assume a hardcore game is one that requires a good amount of commitment to beat. In other words, the games that take a lot of practice to beat.

Assuming that's a fair definition, F-Zero by far. Those games are brutally challenging.

I guess depending on how long the game took to finish, that could be a way of putting it. I'm not sure the 20 or so hours required to beat a LoZ game really qualifies as a major commitment, though. A game as long as Xenoblade might get close.

F-Zero with a crazy difficulty option might just fit the "Hardcore" definition of everyone

I hate the term hardcore. You could put tons of hours into something like Wii fit and be deemed hardcore. Playing mature rated games doesn't make you a hardcore gamer.

Rhythm Heaven. Just try getting all those perfects.

Depends on what you define as hardcore, as I would consider hardcore gamers to be those that buy console/pc games as compared to mobile games...

So games like Mario and Zelda are hardcore?

Xenoblade Chronicles X.

Mini-MMO that can get a little too overwhelming due to the lack of a streamlined progression.

the problem with 'hardcore' is I feel like it is somewhat objective and in the sense in which the OP refers he simply means which Nintendo game is most successfully aimed at the adult/mature audience. and there isn't even a great answer for that as Nintendo up to now has had zero interest in creating heavy FPS experiences like Call of Duty or extremely adult games like Grand Theft Auto

in terms of racing games, horror, atmospheric adventure- they've released plenty of hardcore games. for me personally though I would consider something generally 'hardcore' if it has challenge and is difficult and there are multitudes of extremely hard Nintendo games from all gens