Top 10 Hardest Game Shows to Compete In
#10: “Holey Moley” (2019-)
This extreme mini golf competition answers the question: “What would it look like if the contestants on Wipeout just suddenly started playing golf?” The wacky premise is executive produced by pro-NBA player Stephen Curry, who also doubles as the resident golf pro. Amateur players of the sport compete against each other in a set of sudden-death challenges. Not only are the contestants put through some pretty tasking golf courses, they also have to contend with ridiculous obstacles. Large windmills, slippery ice hills and mascot-infested porta potties all get in the way of victory. Even Tiger Woods would find himself screaming “holy moly!” if he had to compete on this show.
#9: “Only Connect” (2008-)
Top 20 Best SNL Game Shows
Arguably one of the toughest quiz shows to ever air on television, “Only Connect” was intentionally designed to be tough. But rather than repel audiences, this deliberate complexity has actually made the show grow in popularity since it premiered. The show requires contestants to examine a group of four seemingly unrelated clues and come up with the one thing that connects them all. Since the clues are made to be as vague as possible, contestants usually are left shaking their heads as they try to piece together a connection. With the game getting progressively more difficult with each round, players and audiences may question their own intelligence.
#8: “The Titan Games” (2019-20)
Top 10 Best Obstacle Course Game Shows Ever
Although it lasted for just two seasons before it was canceled, this show became popular for its superstar host and its grueling mental and physical challenges. Created and hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “The Titan Games” features several intense exercises that were inspired by the star’s real workouts. Each episode features four male and four female contestants competing in extreme physical obstacles that test their strength, speed, agility and endurance. A majority of contestants have body-building, military or professional fighting backgrounds. However, they still find themselves clawing their way to the finale. Only the strongest competitors walk away with the Titan crown.
#7: “Wipeout” (2008-14; 2021-)
While the obstacle courses on “Wipeout” may not be as rigorous as a few of the Rock’s courses, they still present a significant level of difficulty for the contestants. To win the grand prize, players have to contend with an incredibly challenging obstacle course that is designed to wipe them out. Those who underestimate the difficulty of the show are often hilariously sent plummeting into the water below. Meanwhile, hosts like John Cena and Nicole Byer are there to comment on every hard hit and brutal elimination. While it makes for pretty entertaining TV, the show clearly takes a significant physical toll on contestants. It also probably stings that a good number of competitors leave the show with absolutely nothing after they wipe out.
#6: “The Cube” (2009-)
Top 10 Game Shows That Don't Exist Anymore
Even the simplest tasks can become epic challenges when limited to a tiny and claustrophobic box. On “The Cube”, either one or two contestants at a time are tasked with following the rules of mini games inside a small transparent arena. These seemingly simple tasks surprisingly test the player's observation, response, memorization and balancing skills. The show presents each player with nine lives at the start and two lifelines that can only be used once. Even with all of those buffers, the game remains incredibly difficult. As of March 2022, only six players among every version of the show in existence have ever won the final jackpot.
#5: “The Chase” (2009-)
Top 10 Game Shows That Wouldn't Get Made Today
The key to winning is simply outthinking your competition. However, that’s easier said than done when you’re up against someone who’s spent their entire life soaking up trivia knowledge. The rules of “The Chase” are simple. A team of contestants must square up against the chaser, a quiz genius who stands in their way of winning an equal share of a pooled cash prize. Players have to first accumulate money by providing as many correct answers as possible in 60 seconds. Then they go head-to-head against the chaser before playing as a team to win the accumulated money. Across the British and American versions, some of the big brain chasers have included famed English quizzer Mark Labbett and “Jeopardy” champion Ken Jennings.
#4: “The Amazing Race” (2001-)
Top 10 Most Entertaining Reality Competition Shows
Although a lot of game shows are confined to large studio sound stages,“The Amazing Race” challenges its contestants to a race around the world for a grand prize of $1 million. The long-running adventure show sees teams of two trying to complete an exhaustive journey. Along the way, they must complete highly demanding challenges. It’s already hard for contestants to employ their deductive and reasoning skills to ace every obstacle. However, they also have to navigate their way through unfamiliar territories on a very limited budget. As grueling as the show can be, it’s just as hard to be considered to compete. Just the casting process itself takes around four months and requires multiple auditions from prospective contestants.
#3: “Survivor” (2000-)
Inspired by the Swedish reality show “Expedition Robinson.”, “Survivor” places a group of contestants in outdoor locations across the world in different tribes. During the season, they may have difficulty getting food, enduring weather conditions and maintaining a shelter. They also don’t have a ton of downtime before they must compete in mental and physical challenges. However, winning games alone won’t be enough to get a contestant to the million dollar prize. They’ll have to make smart alliances with other players and try to get immunity in order to avoid getting eliminated. It’s a show that tests both survival and people skills. And after tallying the votes, we can proclaim it as one of the most difficult team games ever.
#2: “American Ninja Warrior” (2009-)
10 Injuries You Actually See on American Ninja Warrior
This sports reality competition presents its contestants with a series of intimidating obstacles that the average person wouldn’t even attempt. Yet, hundreds of aspirants are willing to scale their way through a series of progressively challenging qualifying courses. They test both body strength and personal stamina. Only the most successful and toughest competitors have an opportunity to win $1 million. Just to give an idea of how incredibly difficult the obstacles are, only two contestants in the show’s history have managed to win it all. So, if you’re an aspiring ninja warrior, you might want to build replicas of the courses at home before trying to achieve ultimate victory.
#1: “Jeopardy!” (1964-)
Top 10 Worst Jeopardy Answers
Widely regarded as one of the all time greatest game shows, “Jeopardy!” will forever stand as the ultimate trivia game. The show revolves around three contestants who are tasked with answering questions in three competing rounds. In order to excel, contestants need to be well-versed on everything from pop culture facts to historical events. They must be prepared for any field of questioning. Oh, and the only way they get to phrase their answers in the form of a question is by being quick on the buzzer. More than just a game of knowledge and reasoning skills, it also tests one’s ability to be strategic. The amounts wagered on “Daily Doubles” and “Final Jeopardy!” could be the difference between failure and becoming a legend.
