10 Most Brutally Difficult NES Games EVER

5. Solomon's Key

What can you say about Solomon's Key? It's a mysterious puzzle game developed by Tecmo, and it was available as an arcade game that was ported to both the NES and Gameboy. Oh, and it is also the gaming equivalent of BDSM.

The game requires you as the hero to find Solomon's Key in order to banish nasty demons back to the darkness.

However, in your way are 64 levels of straight-up brain-melting puzzles that require you to quickly work out how to get the levels key before the timer runs out. These keys are usually placed behind infuriating obstacles or instant kill enemies, that you need to dispose of.

The game offers no clues, no hints, and hides so many things. In fact, 15 of the 64 levels are actually hidden stages that not only are a ball ache to find, but you need to complete them in order to achieve the 'true' ending.

If you're into erotic asphyxiation, and are happy to punish yourself for periods of time just for the fleeting ecstasy you feel upon finishing a level, then there is no better recommendation than Solomon's Key.