Ghosts 'n Goblins

A real classic.  Few actually beat the game regularly, but that didn't stop many from trying.  I consider this the first hard game.  In fact, so hard that I have never legitimately beaten it (that is, without codes).  Nonetheless, it was one of my all-time favorites.  I actually would have preferred this game over Zelda in my younger years.  I highly recommend trying this game out if you have the chance, I would still consider it a game I could have fun with as an alternative to modern systems.