Challenge accepted: 8 of the hardest Android and iPhone games

Old video games were better. There, we said it. Call it nostalgia if you will, but we're finding it sad that today's most popular titles on mobile are designed to be addictive above all – to manipulate weaknesses in the human brain so that players would keep playing (and paying) for as long as possible. They're not particularly challenging, original, or even fun to begin with. We're looking at you, Clash of Clans and Candy Crush Saga. What happened to beating a game with skill, not by spending real money on imaginary gems? What was wrong with having a storyline and a rewarding ending? And why are games in general not as difficult as they used to be?

Okay, we do realize that developers have to generate as much revenue as possible, and that making games accessible to a broad audience does the trick. However, a gamer who grew up with Mega Man, Ninja Gaiden, and The Legend of Zelda would only be challenged by finding a mobile game that doesn't walk you by the hand as you play it.

The games we have for you today don't follow trends. They're hard at first and they get even harder as you painfully progress. If you're looking for a truly difficult mobile game, chances are you'll find something below to satisfy your hunger for challenge. Just don't throw your phone against the wall, please.