Picture this: you’re tired from work or school, and you just want to relax after a stressful day. You boot up your console with the new video game you’re currently on, ready to enter a boss arena. Feeling motivated, caffeinated, and somewhat dedicated, you finish your buff ritual, only to get clapped in one hit by a boss that doesn’t even look like a threat. Your session ends, leaving you devastated, deflated, and maybe even violated.
Rage games or frustration games often elicit a variety of emotions in a gamer, primarily leaning towards anger, regret, and pain.
Yet, the satisfaction from winning is unparalleled. Imagine the feeling of success or satisfaction, knowing that you’ve conquered Getting Over It or managed to go Only Up! after being stuck for what feels like forever.
To celebrate Flappy Bird’s return to the forefront after almost a decade of absence, let’s talk about some rage games that’ll get your blood flowing — or make a great gift for someone who needs to temper their anger early on.
Cuphead
Don’t let its cute, cartoony vibe fool you; the devil is in the details. Cuphead is a hand-drawn run-and-gun game where you play as Cuphead, who is trying to take his soul back from the devil. Remember back in the day when you’d go to the arcades and play Metal Slug? You’d feel powerful picking up different types of weapons like the enemy chaser or rocket launcher. Cuphead lets you relive that and more, and you can even play it with a friend! But don’t get too comfortable; you’ll find yourself getting one-shotted by random projectiles because you weren’t paying attention to the screen. Misery shared is misery halved, so play this with a friend to have twice the fun (or twice the misery).
Getting Over It
What is a man but a reflection of his actions? There are no authenticated writings of the philosopher Diogenes, but you can play as him in Getting Over It! This platforming game requires only your upper body and a trusty hammer to navigate the world. As Diogenes in his cauldron, you have to make it to the top, and even then, it’s only the beginning. If you want to prove your patience and skill, this is it. Developed by the creator of QWOP, the game is a literal commentary on struggles and success. It will either lead to enlightenment or frustration, and I can guarantee I’ve never seen anyone play it without getting frustrated.
Only Up
Remember when we had to “get over it”? Now we have to go Only Up! Imagine the gameplay loop of climbing meticulously with a hammer in 2D space, but now in 3D. You’d think having more movement options like jumping, climbing, walking, and running would make things easier. In reality, the challenge lies in balancing between galvanized steel beams and tiny platforms. Your depth perception will be tested, and one small mistake will send you tumbling back to the beginning. If this sounds interesting, and you want to involve your friends, try Chained Together, where you and your friends escape hell together, albeit chained to each other.
Meat Beating No More Horny
At some point, everyone needs a release for pent-up frustration. This innocuous little game, with an eye-catching title, is a favorite to share with friends. You’re alone in the forest, beating meat with a rhythmic pace. It sounds simple, but just when you get into a steady tempo, you’re hit with a sudden game-over screen. Unlike the other games on this list, it’s not a platformer, but the frustration of seeing all your hard work reduced to zero in an instant makes it just as rage-inducing.
Jump King
Jump King is a simple concept, much like the previous game. You’re a king jumping to the top of a tower to save a “Smoking Hot Babe.” Sounds easy, right? With controls as precise as these, one wrong move can mean restarting from the bottom. Imagine jumping onto a tiny platform and missing by a hair. You’re back at the start, with no commentary, just pure pain. I haven’t even mentioned the ice physics or quicksand sections! If you have the patience and want a real challenge, give Jump King a go. The pain is temporary, but the satisfaction of reaching the top is indescribable. Plus, there’s free DLC for those craving more punishment.
Honorable Mention: The Soulsborne Franchise from NeverSoft
While I’d love to dive into the Soulsborne games like Dark Souls, Sekiro, Lies of P, and Elden Ring, these aren’t quite rage games—they’re just hard. As a Soulsborne fan myself, I can say they’re more of an acquired taste than a true source of frustration. But for those interested in a challenge, there are accessible options like Another Crab’s Treasure and even Elden Ring, which is relatively casual compared to other Soulsborne games.
Why We Keep Coming Back for More
There are countless rage games out there, each providing a different experience depending on who’s playing. Personally, my current frustration is TeamFight Tactics, but that’s a story for another time. Some games may get easier the more patient you become, but if you’re headstrong, that’s where the fun really begins.
To suffer means you’ve come from a better place mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. While these games may induce soul-crushing experiences, the journey to overcome them is rewarding in itself. Whether for yourself or a friend, remember that at the end of the day, it’s just a game.
What rage games are you into right now? Let’s share some stories of struggle and success in the comment section!
