10 Cruel Difficulty Modes You Can't Handle

In addition to the regular difficulties players can chose from, the Max Payne series adds an optional layer of challenge with the New York Minute mode. Included in all three games, this arcade-like mode tasks players with finishing each level as fast as possible. More time can be earned by killing enemies and scoring headshots, but if the timer runs out or Max dies, it's game over.

For the third entry in the series, Rockstar Games upped the ante exponentially by adding a hardcore version of this mode, which is unlocked after beating regular New York Minute.

Hardcore New York Minute plays out similarly to the original version in that it puts players against the clock in each level. However, the hardcore variant comes with one major difference: players must complete every level in one sitting. Die or let the timer run out at any point and they'll need to try again from the very beginning. And with 14 chapters in the game, finishing this mode will take up a huge chunk of time.

Although the combat difficulty here is set to Medium rather than Hardcore, the endurance it takes to beat Hardcore New York Minute is unprecedented.