The most challenging levels in the history of video games.

      At times, an entire video game can prove challenging, while other instances may feature tough bosses. Yet, there are also games with a single level that significantly ramps up the difficulty beyond reasonable limits. It’s expected for a game to become harder as players progress, but occasionally that increase can be more abrupt than anticipated. In some scenarios, the gameplay may also shift dramatically for a specific level. Regardless of the reason, certain levels have become notorious for being excessively demanding, even if they are technically fair; they often require near-perfect execution from players to be enjoyable. Here are some of the most difficult levels in gaming history that many players wish to avoid revisiting.

      **Alien “Auto”topsy part 3**

      *Radical Entertainment*

      It’s unfortunate to include a level from the enjoyable game The Simpsons Hit & Run here, but the final level includes every element of a poorly designed stage. The objective is to collect barrels of nuclear waste and deliver them to a UFO to destroy it. Players navigate a fast yet unresponsive vehicle, and any collision while transporting a barrel results in an explosion, forcing a restart. To complicate matters further, a timer adds pressure, increasing the likelihood of crashes. If you don't know the optimal paths and rely on luck with traffic and car control, success is nearly impossible. This challenging final level is why many players have struggled to complete this otherwise fantastic game.

      **The Dam Level**

      *Digital Eclipse*

      Even if you haven’t played it, you’re likely familiar with The Dam level from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game on NES. While the other levels aren't easy, they’re straightforward 2D beat-’em-up stages that at least handle well. The Dam level is quite different: it requires mastering swimming controls in narrow corridors where touching the sides is prohibited, dodging electric traps, and navigating without a map. Moreover, it’s also timed. Any one of these elements would make the level tough, but having to face all of them simultaneously is rather harsh.

      **Tutorial**

      *Reflections Interactive*

      Can a tutorial be considered a level? In the case of Driver, yes, because it’s the part of the game that a lot of players encounter. A tutorial should guide players through learning controls and mechanics, but Driver turns it into a final exam of sorts. Players are thrown into a parking garage with just 60 seconds to execute a series of driving maneuvers, without any explanations or time to think. If you can’t complete the objectives before the clock runs out, it’s game over.

      **Turbo Tunnel**

      *Rare*

      Alongside The Dam level, Battletoads' Turbo Tunnel holds a notorious reputation as one of the most challenging levels in video game history. That reputation is entirely justified. Initially, players fight enemies and engage in basic platforming during the early stages of Battletoads. However, everything changes in the third level with an auto-scrolling hoverbike segment. Players must maneuver up and down or jump to avoid oncoming walls, but the slippery controls combined with high speed demand near-superhuman reflexes to succeed. The milliseconds between seeing an obstacle and crashing into it are minimal. Playing with a partner complicates matters, as the game resets if either player dies.

      **The Kid**

      *Team Meat*

      Even the easier levels in Super Meat Boy are challenging. The game’s most difficult stages are hidden as secret levels, which is a slight mercy for players focused on the main game. The Kid consists of three levels, each posing its own set of challenges. Players must navigate through spike mazes with only one safe spot to land at certain points. A miscalculated jump or mistimed double jump leads to failure. The first level involves falling and climbing through spikes, the second involves riding elevators while dodging spikes, and the final one unleashes waves of spikes while you navigate tunnels. These levels require almost pixel-perfect precision, causing many players to attempt them countless times without reaching the end.

      **Mile-High Club**

      *Activision*

      This level is an additional challenge in the original Modern Warfare 4 and is especially notorious for its difficulty on the Veteran setting. It’s yet another timed mission requiring players to storm an airplane filled with enemies to save a VIP. The tight aisles make it nearly impossible to avoid damage, even without the pressure of a strict timer that penalizes even brief pauses. Success hinges on knowing enemy placements and effectively using flashbangs while hoping for some good luck. Once players reach the end, they must execute a flawless shot to save the VIP, or they’ll have to start from the beginning.

      **Blighttown**

      *FromSoftware*

      Blighttown has earned a legendary status for its cruelty. It's more than just a toxic swamp; it’s one of the harshest levels in Souls history. Navigating this area vertically on narrow, shaky planks while avoiding poison adds to the