I have something of an affinity for games that are mean and cruel. You know, games where you get that great first ball, and you just KNOW that you are going to be putting in your Grand Champion initials. Two balls later, the game has completely humbled you and smacked you around like the wimp in those old Charles Atlas ads.

My top two: Whirlwind and Iron Man. Both of these games can be so vindictive it's absurd. Love them both though!

I wouldn't want an entire collection of them, but gotta have at least one of these in the game room.

I find there to be a difference between cruel and tough.

A tough game is one that you simply can't beat. For instance, I had an Avengers for 8 months, and realized I would never, EVER be able to get to Battle for Earth. I didn't find it a cruel game, though - it simply had a depth that I would not be able to achieve with my skill set.

Whirlwind, though...it's one of my favorite games. I think I've done pretty much everything on it save for closing the Skyway. But I will play it and sometimes, on a first ball, I'll be halfway to the Megadoor...and the next balls will just drain due to a bounce or spin of the discs, whatever. THAT is what I mean by cruel. A vicious little game that you just can't wait to play again.