Video games are a way to have fun, explore epic worlds, and feel the thrill of a well-earned victory – usually. But sometimes, they become a masterclass in frustration.
“Some titles are so difficult, unfair, or infuriating that they make even the calmest player see red, hurl a controller, and vow to never play again (until tomorrow),” says Serge Eliseeff, the CEO of Online Free Games, a platform offering a vast collection of free online games.
To find out which games cause the most rage quits, Online Free Games analysed Reddit threads where players were asked to name the games that made them quit in frustration. They sifted through hundreds of passionate replies and tallied up which games were mentioned the most to bring you the top five titles that push players over the edge.
1. Dark Souls
Frustration Level: Soul-crushing
Widely regarded as one of the hardest video games of all time, with far and away more mentions than any other game series, Dark Souls has become the poster child for rage quits.
“Between brutally difficult bosses, punishing mechanics, and the sheer dread of losing all your progress after one mistake, it’s a game that asks for patience—and then mocks you for not having enough of it,” says Serge.
One Redditor described feeling like they lost their last shred of humanity—both in-game and emotionally—while trying to fight these tricky bosses.
2. Cuphead
Frustration Level: Retro Nightmare
Don’t let its charming 1930s cartoon style fool you—Cuphead is a masterclass in bullet-hell chaos. The boss fights demand pixel-perfect timing, and the Run ‘n Gun levels are particularly punishing for anyone attempting the infamous pacifist run.
One commenter said, “Even though I love Cuphead, getting a Pacifist tank was the most frustrating thing I did ever.” Another added that while rage was inevitable, the satisfaction of finally beating a boss made it all worthwhile.
3. Ninja Gaiden Black
Frustration Level: Pure Punishment
“Dark Souls may get all the rage-quit glory these days, but Ninja Gaiden Black walked so it could run,” says Serge. “This Xbox-era game is notorious for its intense difficulty, even among veteran players.”
One person admitted they couldn’t even finish the second level, while another said: “During the final boss, I ripped the disc out of the drive and threw it against the wall.” It’s a game that taught many players the true meaning of defeat—whether they wanted to learn it or not.
4. Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Frustration Level: AI-induced Meltdown
While Wildlands is primarily a tactical shooter, one specific mission turned it into a rage quit legend: a boss fight with the Predator from the Predator movie series. Described as unfair, unbalanced, and flat-out broken, it pushed multiple players to the point of giving up completely.
“That might be one of the only gaming sequences or bosses I straight up gave up on. After about 50 tries I said my life is worth more than this!!” one Reddit user said. “Add to that escort missions with fragile AI, and you’ve got a recipe for controller-snapping frustration,” says Serge.
5. League of Legends
Frustration Level: Socially Savage
Unlike the other entries on this list, League of Legends doesn’t punish you with bosses or platforming—it punishes you with people. Its competitive online play is notorious for toxic behaviour, insults, harassment, and crushing defeats that feel outside your control.
One player explained it best: “I can’t handle the frustration when playing PvP in that game, and the general feeling of helplessness that comes with team-based PvP games.” Whether it’s teammates throwing or opponents steamrolling, in League, hell truly is other gamers.
Serge Eliseeff, the CEO of Online Free Games, commented:
“It’s totally normal to feel frustrated when a game pushes your limits—especially if you’re stuck on the same boss for the tenth time or dealing with teammates who seem determined to sabotage you. The key is recognizing when that frustration is starting to boil over.
“My top tips? Take a break, step away from the screen, and give yourself a chance to reset. A quick walk, a drink of water, or switching to a more relaxing game can really help. And when it comes to online games, don’t be afraid to mute (and report) toxic players or turn off chat. Protecting your headspace is just as important as improving your kill/death ratio.”
