History NintendoHard / SimulationGames

* ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion'' for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}, which features [[MarathonLevel hour long missions]] [[BladderOfSteel with no pause or reset]] [[ArtificialStupidity and useless allies.]] Did we forget to mention that your save game gets deleted if you don't use the EjectionSeat in time or not have enough supply points for a replacement [[AMechByAnyOtherName Vertical Tank]]? This is a game with a [[http://i.imgur.com/4t1hW.jpg 30+ button controller]] with multiple joysticks, pedals, and switches. You're liable to get killed just trying to work the controls.

* Grimm's Hatchery is an animal management simulation game which combines [[LuckBasedMission luck]] and [[TimedMission days with limited time.]] You have to raise $300,000 in 80 days. The problem is, the days start out in very short but then get longer on later days. One objective requires you to collect a [[LuckBasedMission golden goose from golden goose eggs]] which drop from [[RareRandomDrop regular gooses,]] and is required to continue the game. And still, you're always racing the clock, which can [[UnwinnableByDesign prevent you from raising enough money if you're unlucky with the golden goose or the similar tasks.]]

* Modern air combat simulators like ''[[VideoGame/{{FalconFourPointZero}} Falcon 4.0]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/DCSBlackShark DCS: Black Shark]]'' are a different kind of difficult; generally easier to fly thanks to computerized Flight Control Systems, but much more difficult to fight in due to the complicated weapons systems. Ramp starting the aircraft from a cold state in either sim also makes the aforementioned ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion''[='s=] startup procedure look as easy as turning a key in comparison. They don't call them "study sims" for nothing-especially when they used to come with [[{{Doorstopper}} gigantic manuals]], one of which (in ''Falcon 4.0'' 's case) was a binder that doubled as the game's packaging!

* ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion'' for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}, which features [[MarathonLevel hour long missions]] [[{{BladderOfSteel}} with no pause or reset]] [[{{ArtificialStupidity}} and useless allies.]] Did we forget to mention that your save game gets deleted if you don't use the EjectionSeat in time or not have enough supply points for a replacement [[AMechByAnyOtherName Vertical Tank]]? This is a game with a [[http://i.imgur.com/4t1hW.jpg 30+ button controller]] with multiple joysticks, pedals, and switches. You're liable to get killed just trying to work the controls.

* ''[[VideoGame/{{LHX}} LHX Attack Chopper]]'' turns this way, especially once you start going up the ranks. Doesn't help that your savegame gets deleted once you're killed.

* '''''VideoGame/SteelBattalion'' for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}, which features [[MarathonLevel hour long missions]] [[{{BladderOfSteel}} with no pause or reset]] [[{{ArtificialStupidity}} and useless allies.]] Did we forget to mention that your save game gets deleted if you don't use the EjectionSeat in time or not have enough supply points for a replacement [[AMechByAnyOtherName Vertical Tank]]? So ridiculously hard that it warrants bold text for this entry.'''
** '''This is a game with a [[http://i.imgur.com/4t1hW.jpg 30+ button controller]] with multiple joysticks, pedals, and switches. You're liable to get killed just trying to work the controls.'''

* ''VideoGame/{{Tamagotchi}}'': Bandai have personally stated that they purposefully amped up the difficulty of the Tamagotchi Ocean compared to other vintage releases, so that one should not normally be able to raise their pet beyond the ''childhood stage''. Besides that, your pet gets sick multiple times in a single day (compared to other vintage releases, where it gets sick once per life stage, anywhere from half a day to a full day before evolving), and it has predators that can kill your Tamagotchi if you don't play close attention.

* ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion'' for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}, which features [[MarathonLevel hour long missions]] [[{{BladderOfSteel}} with no pause or reset]] [[{{ArtificialStupidity}} and useless allies.]] Did we forget to mention that your save game gets deleted if you don't use the EjectionSeat in time or not have enough supply points for a replacement [[AMechByAnyOtherName Vertical Tank]]?
** This is a game with a [[http://i.imgur.com/4t1hW.jpg 30+ button controller]] with multiple joysticks, pedals, and switches. You're liable to get killed just trying to work the controls.

* ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion'' for the UsefulNotes/{{Xbox}}, which features [[MarathonLevel hour long missions]] [[{{BladderOfSteel}} with no pause or reset]] [[{{ArtificialStupidity}} and useless allies.]] Did we forget to mention that your save game gets deleted if you don't use the EjectionSeat in time or not have enough supply points for a replacement [[AMechByAnyOtherName Vertical Tank]]?
** This is a game with a [[http://i.imgur.com/4t1hW.jpg 30+ button controller]] with multiple joysticks, pedals, and switches. You're liable to get killed just trying to work the controls.
* ''VideoGame/IL2Sturmovik'', still regarded as the most HardCore of WWII combat flight simulators. [[SomeDexterityRequired Flying in a hamfisted manner]] WILL get you into a stall or spin that will likely end in your demise either by crashing or getting shot up in such a helpless state, and hitting the target with your guns is much more difficult than it looks [[LeadTheTarget when you have to compensate for ballistics in three dimensions at high speeds.]] It's even harder if you couldn't afford a good, precise flight stick.
* Modern air combat simulators like ''[[VideoGame/{{FalconFourPointZero}} Falcon 4.0]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/DCSBlackShark DCS: Black Shark]]'' are a different kind of difficult; generally easier to fly thanks to computerized Flight Control Systems, but much more difficult to fight in due to the complicated weapons systems. Ramp starting the aircraft from a cold state in either sim also makes the aforementioned ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion''[='s=] startup procedure look as easy as turning a key in comparison. They don't call them "study sims" for nothing-especially when they used to come with [[{{Doorstopper}} gigantic manuals]], one of which (in ''Falcon 4.0'' 's case) was a binder that doubled as the game's packaging!
** It gets worse for ''DCS''. The developers were actually contracted to make a sim to train actual A-10 pilots into converting to the newer "C" variant, and were allowed to release a slightly modified commercial version. They've boasted that if you can learn to play their game, you can hijack *ahem* fly the actual A-10 Thunderbolt. (Similar boasts have been made for ''Falcon 4.0''.)
* Among racing sims, ''VideoGame/GrandPrixLegends'' and ''VideoGame/RichardBurnsRally'' in particular stand out for unforgivingly realistic driving physics. Trying to leadfoot your way around the whole track, as you would do in an arcade racing game, will only make you slide right off the turn and into the wall. Learning to manage the gas/throttle and brake in addition to the wheel is extremely critical to getting to the finish line intact with a decent time.

* ''[[VideoGame/XWing X-Wing]]'' and ''{{VideoGame/TIE Fighter}}'' both fit this, mostly because you can't choose which fighter you pilot. This results in fun because the Y-Wing [[MightyGlacier can't maneuver worth a damn]], and the TIE Fighter has ''no'' DeflectorShields. Also, a lot of escort missions feature ships piloted by LeeroyJenkins. Is it any wonder the next game let you choose your ship?
* ''VideoGame/RollerCoasterTycoon'' has some rather mean objectives for you to set out on.
** Harmony Hills: 1,200 guests in 3 years without adjusting land, scenery or building over trees.
** Micro Park: Get a park rating of $10,000 at the end of the 3rd year with a park 13x13 big. And you thought Dinky/Pokey Park was hard.
** Mothball Mountain: 900 guests in 3 years with poor terrain, wet weather, land is rather expensive and your max loan is $15,000.
** Fiasco Forest. 800 guests in one year, and the danger factor is like Action Park on steroids.
* ''[[VideoGame/{{LHX}} LHX Attack Chopper]]'' turns this way, especially once you start going up the ranks. Doesn't help that your savegame gets deleted once you're killed.
* ''VideoGame/DenshaDeGo'' is a train simulator. If you are 15 seconds late, or 15 seconds early, or 5 metres out of place, or if you accelerate within the platform to avoid the aforementioned sins, or if you brake too hard so that passengers fall over... you lose lifepoints. I don't think even Japanese railways are really that strict. By comparison, British trains are considered on time if they are less than 5 minutes late - and being early is praised!

* ''VideoGame/MicrosoftFlightSimulator'' can be this, depending on what you're trying to achieve. Flying an older type of aircraft in a realistic way, while communicating with air traffic control, you quickly run into this. There's a reason some of those types often had a crew of 3 or more, all of whom were often busy with their own separate tasks, especially during take-off and landing. One particular example would be Concorde, which required careful coordination between the flying pilot and the flight engineer, while the non-flying pilot would often be busy speaking to air traffic control. Doing the same thing as a single player often result in at least one aspect going badly wrong.

* ''Creator/{{Kairosoft}}'' games like ''VideoGame/GameDevStory'' and ''VideoGame/PocketStables'' sounds easy, but to actually breed horses that can win higher level races or create bestseller games that will score highly in game reviews will have you yelling GuideDangIt due to the deep, complicated statistic-imbued mechanics.
** ''VideoGame/PocketArcadeStory'': Both the simulation and fighting aspect of the game. On the simulation aspect, you need to maintain your balance sheet to make sure you don't fall into the red. On the fighting aspect, you need to match the computer AI against a capable fighter of your own, and intervene in such a way that you don't deplete your stamina and still win in the end. And to take things up a level, TheComputerIsACheatingBastard during fighting tournaments.
* ''VideoGame/PapersPlease'' requires you to process at least fifteen entrants per day to keep you and your family financially secure. A lack of money can result in having to do without food or heat, thus causing family members to die (which can lead to you losing your job, because Arstozka promotes strong families and an inability to provide for them is unacceptable) if you don't end up going into debt and being arrested for failure to pay your bills. Not helping matters are the increasing number of rules that can and will change, occasional terror attacks that will force you to end your shift early and cost you money, and steadily increasing rent.

* Modern air combat simulators like ''[[VideoGame/{{Falcon4.0}} Falcon 4.0]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/DCSBlackShark DCS: Black Shark]]'' are a different kind of difficult; generally easier to fly thanks to computerized Flight Control Systems, but much more difficult to fight in due to the complicated weapons systems. Ramp starting the aircraft from a cold state in either sim also makes the aforementioned ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion''[='s=] startup procedure look as easy as turning a key in comparison. They don't call them "study sims" for nothing-especially when they used to come with [[{{Doorstopper}} gigantic manuals]], one of which (in ''Falcon 4.0'' 's case) was a binder that doubled as the game's packaging!

* Modern air combat simulators like ''[[VideoGame/{{Falcon4}} Falcon 4.0]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/DCSBlackSharkDCS: Black Shark]]'' are a different kind of difficult; generally easier to fly thanks to computerized Flight Control Systems, but much more difficult to fight in due to the complicated weapons systems. Ramp starting the aircraft from a cold state in either sim also makes the aforementioned ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion''[='s=] startup procedure look as easy as turning a key in comparison. They don't call them "study sims" for nothing-especially when they used to come with [[{{Doorstopper}} gigantic manuals]], one of which (in ''Falcon 4.0'' 's case) was a binder that doubled as the game's packaging!

* Modern air combat simulators like ''Falcon 4.0'' and ''DCS: Black Shark'' are a different kind of difficult; generally easier to fly thanks to computerized Flight Control Systems, but much more difficult to fight in due to the complicated weapons systems. Ramp starting the aircraft from a cold state in either sim also makes the aforementioned ''VideoGame/SteelBattalion''[='s=] startup procedure look as easy as turning a key in comparison. They don't call them "study sims" for nothing-especially when they used to come with [[{{Doorstopper}} gigantic manuals]], one of which (in ''Falcon 4.0'' 's case) was a binder that doubled as the game's packaging!

* ''LHX Attack Chopper'' turns this way, especially once you start going up the ranks. Doesn't help that your savegame gets deleted once you're killed.

* ''VideoGame/MicrosoftFlightSimulator'' can be this, depending on what you're trying to achieve. Flying an older type of aircraft in a realistic way, while communicating with air traffic control, you quickly run into this. There's a reason some of those types often had a crew of 3 or more, all of whom were often busy with their own seperate tasks, especially during take-off and landing. One particular example would be Concorde, which required careful coordination between the flying pilot and the flight engineer, while the non-flying pilot would often be busy speaking to air traffic control. Doing the same thing as a single player often result in at least one aspect going badly wrong.

* ''[[https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/76866912/ SpaceX Falcon 9 Lander]]'' on Website/{{Scratch}}, which challenges you to land a UsefulNotes/{{SpaceX}} Falcon 9 rocket in the middle of the ocean, shows that it's no piece of cake, [[TruthInTelevision like in reality]]. Your rocket are 98% likely, when you land it, to shift off the platform and [[StuffBlowingUp explode]]. [[https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2015/9/17/9344475/spacex-falcon-9-landing-game Many news sites]] [[http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/spacex-falcon-9-lander/ have published articles about the]] [[http://bgr.com/2015/09/19/spacex-falcon-9-lander-web-game/ browser game, because of this trope.]]

* ''VideoGame/IL2Sturmovik'', still regarded as the most HardCore of WWII combat flight simulators. [[SomeDexterityRequired Flying in a hamfisted manner]] WILL get you into a stall or spin that will likely end in your demise either by crashing or getting shot up in such a helpless state, and hitting the target with your guns is much more difficult than it looks [[LeadTheTarget when you have to compensate for ballistics in three dimensions at high speeds.]] It's even harder [[CrackIsCheaper if you couldn't afford a good, precise flight stick.]]

* Modern air combat simulators like ''Falcon 4.0'' and ''DCS: Black Shark'' are a different kind of difficult; generally easier to fly thanks to computerized Flight Control Systems, but much more difficult to fight in due to the complicated weapons systems. Ramp starting the aircraft from a cold state in either sim also makes the aforementioned ''SteelBattalion''[='s=] startup procedure look as easy as turning a key in comparison. They don't call them "study sims" for nothing-especially when they used to come with [[{{Doorstopper}} gigantic manuals]], one of which (in ''Falcon 4.0'' 's case) was a binder that doubled as the game's packaging!

* ''SilentHunter'' at the highest realism settings qualifies. Among other things, you've to worry about fuel, battery, [=CO2=], and compressed air levels, the possibility of the torpedoes you fired being duds (thus ruining a well-planned attack), long times for reloading a torpedo (which can be ''a pain in the ass'' when attacking a convoy), no way to know if your sub has been detected by the enemy until they come upon you, and having to calculate yourself torpedo attacks[[note]]At least using the torpedo data computer, you've the luxury of stuff such as being able to fire a spread of torpedoes.[[/note]], and -of course- no event cameras.

* ''[[https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/76866912/ SpaceX Falcon 9 Lander]]'' on Website/{{Scratch}}, which challenges you to land a UsefulNotes/{{SpaceX}} Falcon 9 rocket in the middle of the ocean, shows that it's no piece of cake, [[TruthInTelevision like in reality]]. Your rocket are 98% likely, when you land it, to shift off the platform and [[StuffBlowingUp explode]]. [[https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2015/9/17/9344475/spacex-falcon-9-landing-game Many news sites]] [[www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/spacex-falcon-9-lander/ have published articles about the]] [[bgr.com/2015/09/19/spacex-falcon-9-lander-web-game/ browser game, because of this trope.]]