Games with ultra cheap deaths.

[bust3dstr8]

After playing Ecco for the first time since I was 15 or so I don't know why I remember this game fondly.
It is nothing but cheap deaths and pure frustration. The controls are ok for open areas but for tight areas
and moving things around the are clunky as hell. Drowning will be about all you do if you try to finess your
way through the game and try to dodge and kill things. Add in respawning enemies, disappearing puzzle items
and shit that will crush you if just your nose bumps into makes this game one big fucking punch in the balls.

Dolphins belong in tuna cans...not video games

[DragonmasterDan]

After playing Ecco for the first time since I was 15 or so I don't know why I remember this game fondly.
It is nothing but cheap deaths and pure frustration. The controls are ok for open areas but for tight areas
and moving things around the are clunky as hell. Drowning will be about all you do if you try to finess your
way through the game and try to dodge and kill things. Add in respawning enemies, disappearing puzzle items
and shit that will crush you if just your nose bumps into makes this game one big fucking punch in the balls.

Dolphins belong in tuna cans...not video games

Have you played Spelunker?

[Opethian]

the Spelunker tune is awesome!

[Arkhan Asylum]

Ecco has cheap deaths?

I think the most annoying part was the octopus until I figured out you don't dash past him like an asshole.

[Senshi]

Heavy Unit 

[TR0N]

Out of this World:Heh afther watching a episode of game center cx on it,it seems it's full of cheap deaths.

[blueraven]

L-Dis

[NecroPhile]

Beyond Shadowgate is chock full of cheap deaths (click on something innocuous... and you're dead), yet it's never been so satisfying to die a thousand deaths.  

[VenomMacbeth]

After playing Ecco for the first time since I was 15 or so I don't know why I remember this game fondly.
It is nothing but cheap deaths and pure frustration. The controls are ok for open areas but for tight areas
and moving things around the are clunky as hell. Drowning will be about all you do if you try to finess your
way through the game and try to dodge and kill things. Add in respawning enemies, disappearing puzzle items
and shit that will crush you if just your nose bumps into makes this game one big fucking punch in the balls.

Dolphins belong in tuna cans...not video games

I feel the same way, but if you throw on the invincibility cheat, the game becomes about a thousand times more enjoyable.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Beyond Shadowgate is chock full of cheap deaths (click on something innocuous... and you're dead), yet it's never been so satisfying to die a thousand deaths. 

That's part of the charm of the game.

I still remember in plain Shadowgate, smashing a mirror open only to be sucked out into space and killed.

[Bernie]

Beyond Shadowgate is chock full of cheap deaths (click on something innocuous... and you're dead), yet it's never been so satisfying to die a thousand deaths. 

Hell yeah!!!  Bestest crazy deaths ever for the bestest game ever!

[OldRover]

The stupid panther bit in Shape Shifter.

All versions of the original Turrican.

Actraiser 2.

[futureman2000]

There are a ton, especially on NES. Trying to think of less obvious choices...

Alf (Can't get past the bats...)-- SMS
Battle of Olympus (mountain stage) -- NES
Truxton (attacks from behind) -- Genesis
Cadash (The water at the beginning of the game) -- Turbo

[SNKNostalgia]

Ninja Spirit - Pit with the Ninjas if you don't know the pattern yet.

That pretty much is the one that made me loose it almost. This is the only game I feel like mentioning since it is so bad with that part of the game. I died 80+ times!!! Fucking ridiculous!!!

[Senshi]

Ninja Spirit - Pit with the Ninjas if you don't know the pattern yet.

Yes, that shit is just stupid.

[OldRover]

Ninja Spirit - Pit with the Ninjas if you don't know the pattern yet.

Heh, it's the only part of the game that's just as obnoxious in PC Engine mode as it is in Arcade mode.

[esteban]

Athena (NES) has some frustratingly cheap deaths.

As does Super Pitfall (NES). I won't even mention how I trained myself for this goddamn game. The sad thing is that this could have been a good game and quite enjoyable!

Ninja Spirit - Pit with the Ninjas if you don't know the pattern yet.

Heh, it's the only part of the game that's just as obnoxious in PC Engine mode as it is in Arcade mode.

hahahhahhaha. Yes.

All versions of the original Turrican.

thank you.

[VenomMacbeth]

I find myself getting unfairly boned in Darius Twin on the SNES.  It's usually something stupid like that damn angel fish guy at the beginning or something really hard to avoid; otherwise the game's painfully easy.

[Senshi]

Insanity 

[Turbotracks]

This list is endless. The fact that Beyond Shadowgate is mentioned, but still a favorite is a testament to how great it really is. I vote Contra. I never would have finished it without "the code"

[_Paul]

Any text adventure from the 80s.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Insanity 

Not my fault you don't abuse the post-spawn invulnerability to your advantage.

[geise]

Final Fight.  Also, Final Fight.

[esteban]

Insanity 

Not my fault you don't abuse the post-spawn invulnerability to your advantage.

Hahahahahjajaa  .

I was wondering: is the post-spawn invulnerability a fixed time period, or is it relative (and thus shorter) as you get further in the game? I can't tell 

[Arkhan Asylum]

It's a fixed time, like 3 seconds or some jive.

[Turbotracks]

Are you kidding?! Post span invulnerability was my favorite especially in Bayou Billy!

[esteban]

Are you kidding?! Post span invulnerability was my favorite especially in Bayou Billy!

I was one or two kicks away from beating that game so many times, only to choke and ultimately lose all my life. Painful memories.

And, I've heard. The Japanese version is even more challenging.

[TR0N]

Are you kidding?! Post span invulnerability was my favorite especially in Bayou Billy!

I was one or two kicks away from beating that game so many times, only to choke and ultimately lose all my life. Painful memories.

And, I've heard. The Japanese version is even more challenging.

Nope it's the other way around the japanese bayou billy/mad city is easier.

[Mishran]

It's a fixed time, like 3 seconds or some jive.

That invulnerability doesn't work against enemy fire obviously because I lost track of how many times I was shot and killed in later levels because of being spawned in the center of 5 or 6 enemies who begin firing as soon as you appear. Doesn't always give you time to react.

[esteban]

Are you kidding?! Post span invulnerability was my favorite especially in Bayou Billy!

I was one or two kicks away from beating that game so many times, only to choke and ultimately lose all my life. Painful memories.

And, I've heard. The Japanese version is even more challenging.

Nope it's the other way around the japanese bayou billy/mad city is easier.

Aha! In that case, I have to play the Japanese version!

It's a fixed time, like 3 seconds or some jive.

That invulnerability doesn't work against enemy fire obviously because I lost track of how many times I was shot and killed in later levels because of being spawned in the center of 5 or 6 enemies who begin firing as soon as you appear. Doesn't always give you time to react.

Hence the title, Insanity.

[Mishran]

Hence the title, Insanity.

Insane to the Membrane... just like the designer.

[CrackTiger]

Daimakaimura is pretty terrible.

Night Creatures and Dracula XXX will juggle you to death.

[meka]

The worst I've seen is an indie game I Wanna Be The Guy.