10 HARDEST Games Based on Nickelodeon Shows

10 Hardest Games Based on Nickelodeon Shows

For games based on kids' shows, these are surprisingly hard. Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at the hardest games based on Nickelodeon shows.

“Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” - Game Boy Advance Version (2001)

Technically based on a Nickelodeon movie that spawned a TV show, Jimmy Neutron’s first video game isn’t that good on any platform. But in particular, the Game Boy Advance version is frustratingly tough. The handheld's limited screen real estate makes navigating the game's environments a constant exercise in guesswork, with enemies and obstacles appearing with almost no warning. Controls feel slippery and imprecise, which is a devastating combination when many of the game's later stages demand pixel-perfect platforming. The home console versions are forgettable, sure. But the GBA version’s noticeable faults make it a chore.

“Rugrats in Paris: The Movie” - Game Boy Color Version (2000)

Speaking of handheld headaches, the Game Boy Color version of “Rugrats in Paris” takes what should be charming and makes it irritating. Yes, again, it’s technically a movie. But it’s tied to a Nickelodeon TV show. And like “Jimmy Neutron,” it’s hard when it didn’t have to be. And harder than the age of its intended audience would desire. The controls are stiff and unresponsive, whether you’re platforming or playing through one of the many mini-games. It makes simple concepts and traversal feel like an uphill battle. Visuals don’t help either, as the game’s limited color palette and tiny sprites make distinguishing hazards from the background difficult, at least it did on original hardware.

“Rocket Power: Beach Bandits” (2002)

Coming out at the peak of X-Treme sports, “Rocket Power” seems like it would have leant itself well to a video game. In a time where Skateboarding and BMX reigned supreme, “Beach Bandits” was unfortunately bland. But what lands it on the list is its mission structure, where things get genuinely aggravating. Objectives are often unclear or vague, leaving you to wander these sprawling areas with little guidance, burning through your precious time. Plus, the counterintuitive controls and unwieldy camera are often working against you, making those objectives harder to accomplish. Completing the full game requires a patience that even the most devoted “Rocket Power” fan might struggle to sustain.

“Danny Phantom: The Ultimate Enemy” (2005)

Based on the fan-favorite episode of the same name, “The Ultimate Enemy” pits Danny Fenton against an evil future version of himself, and from the very start it's clear that the odds are stacked against you. Despite Danny’s impressive on-screen power, the enemies can easily overwhelm him. Their respawn rates leave little breathing room between fights, coupled with your limited health to keep you on edge as you continue. It doesn’t help that Danny’s abilities feel awkward and sluggish to pull off with the handheld's buttons. As you get lost backtracking through areas, it becomes common to feel frustrated being swarmed by the same enemies. Demanding reflexes with stiff controls is a dangerous combination.

“Rocko's Modern Life: Spunky's Dangerous Day” (1994)

A staple of 90s Nick, “Rocko's Modern Life” got a video game that was appropriately difficult for the era. “Spunky's Dangerous Day” follows Rocko as he guides his dog through hazard-filled levels by altering his path. What makes this a painful task is Spunky’s AI; he is completely unpredictable, and distracted by almost everything he comes across. Naturally, this can cause him to run directly into danger without a moment’s notice. It isn’t just a traditionally difficult platformer, like you might expect. The game's demand for quick reaction time and the sheer relentlessness of the hazards make it one of the more uniquely stressful titles on the list.

“SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost Spatula” (2001)

As the first video game to be based on the “SpongeBob SquarePants” license, “Legend of the Lost Spatula” has a bit of a legacy. And part of that legacy is being surprisingly tough. It sees SpongeBob on a quest to recover a legendary spatula, a journey that is loaded with obstacles that scale in difficulty far faster than you’d think. While gameplay is simple, there are a number of hindrances placed on you that add difficulty. Muddled UI seems designed to frustrate players and confusing level design leads you to retread the same areas. There’s also a password system, and any other saves are few and far between.

“The Ren & Stimpy Show Presents: Stimpy's Invention” (1993)

With its weirdly adult humor, “The Ren & Stimpy Show” just gives off the vibe that it would produce hard video games. And it did. “Stimpy’s Invention” follows the duo as they collect the missing pieces for an invention that can turn anything, even garbage, into food. For something that incredible, you have to work pretty hard. Levels are packed with bizarre enemies and environmental hazards that come quickly. Whether in single player or co-op, using Ren and Stimpy’s different mechanics at the right time can often feel overwhelming when put under pressure. Add on a handful of challenging bosses, which are relentless for unprepared players, and you’ve got one more tough 90s platformer to add to the list.

“Rugrats: Search for Reptar” (1998)

Even if the game stars literal babies, that doesn’t mean it feels like it was made for them. “Search for Reptar” follows Tommy Pickles trying to find the missing puzzle pieces of his favorite dino. It sounds approachable, but the execution makes it not so. Confusing level layouts go hand-in-hand with a wonky camera to make the simple act of walking around an absolute nuisance. And that gets a lot more annoying while platforming, when precise movement is understandably essential. You’d think that the mini-games might offer a break, but several of them have infamously poor controls. It actively works against you, making you question if you really want to finish that puzzle.

“Aaahh!!! Real Monsters” (1995)

Of course, the older the games are, the harder they tend to get. Based on the underrated series of the same name, this mid-90s platformer puts you in control of Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm as they attempt to complete their scare assignments. Unfortunately, beyond the basic set-up, each level comes with little to no guidance, forcing you to figure out progression through pure trial and error. Each of the three playable characters has a distinct ability that must be used correctly to advance, but the game isn’t always forthcoming about when and where those abilities actually apply. And with controls this stiff, being able to use said abilities is a challenge in and of itself.

“The Ren & Stimpy Show: Veediots!” (1993)

We already talked about “Ren & Stimpy.” But like we said, the show leant itself to hard games. “Veediots” sees the two trapped inside their own TV show, giving you the opportunity to play through a handful of episodes. But we’d recommend you just watch them instead. Controls were unresponsive even back then, and hit detection is wildly inconsistent. Levels are maddening to navigate, particularly with enemy placement and when platforming. And as was the case with a lot of licensed platformers at the time, the difficulty spikes arrive without warning, leaving no margin for error. Lives can evaporate at an alarming rate, the game’s propensity to kill you only matched by the grotesqueness of its source material

Have you played any of these challenging games? What are some of your favorite tough games based on cartoons? Share your thoughts in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!