Though the definition of "hardcore" games has evolved over the years, the 2-d side scrollers of old times remains at the pionnacle of hardcore gaming. This genre has spawned some of the most difficult games of all times (some unreasonably so),as well as some of the best games ever.
My list is as follows
1)Super Metroid: no other game has aged as well as this masterpiece. With a huge graphical improvement on its predecessor, and an amazing soundtrack, and replay value that is a thing of legends, this game isnt just my top side scroler, its one of my favorite games of all times
2)Symphony Of The Night:This game boasts of tremendous production values(apart from the voice-over), a brilliant difficulty curve, level design second only to the above mentioned game, and replay value equal to it.
3)super Contra 3: Alien wars :A classic amongst the fans of the genre for its legendary difficulty level, i remember my brother recruiting me when i was 5 cause he couldnt beat the game alone. Wholesome, masochistic, Adrenaline pumping fun.
4)River City Ransom: a story as cliched as they come, but the game play was pure,unadulterated fun. Using the dropped items, or those laying around has never been so fun .
5)Ninja Gaiden 3: one of the biggest challenges i had faced in my young life was beating this game(i couldnt figure out the level code system as a kid).one of the most difficult games around, and extremely satisfying to beat(cause of the story).
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murders will foam up about their waist and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout "Save us!"...
....and I'll look down and whisper "no."
- Rorschach
