EDIT: Changed the title, since the thread was turning more into a debate.
This thread was actually a result of something that has been done in the Hardest SMW Hacks thread. Some people, including myself, have created lists on what they think are the hardest non-kaizo levels.
4. Bowser's Starship
Hack: The Second Reality Project by FPI
This is actually for the 2002 version of the level. The Reloaded version is still pretty tough though.
I'm actually surprised it's this low on the list. What makes it so hard is that you are required to be small mario for almost the whole level, which is filled with tons of obstacles that require good timing to avoid. Even with savestates, you will struggle with it.
3. SCORPION's Mansion/The Vault
Hack: The Fourth Sector by S.C.O.R.P.I.O.N.
I decided I'm only going to include one level from the Hunter and SCORPION series, since a few more of their levels could've easily made this list.
The original version of this level, called SCORPION's Mansion, is easily the hardest level they have ever made.
A few kaizo moments were present in this level actually, but I still do not consider it to be a kaizo level because there really aren't any unfair traps in the level. The main reason it is on this list is because of the puzzles that are found within the level, especially in the rooms that are pretty much endless. You think that you have to go to the end of the room to go to the next, only to find yourself back at the start of the room, where there is a hidden door present.
A new version of The Fourth Sector is currently in progress. One of the most recently finished levels was this one, now known as The Vault. The difficulty is being lowered quite a bit, so whenever the hack is completed and I have the chance to play it I will have to make a decision. There's a chance that The Vault may be removed from this list and replaced with the next hardest level in a Devious Four hack. It may be lowered on the list as well, but it could also stay where it's at right now. I do know that it will still be among the hardest in this hack though.
2. Bowser's Castle
Hack: An SMWCentral Production
At first I didn't think this level was going to be as tough as it turned out to be. The beginning was still rather tough, but I just saw it as just what I would originally expect a final level in an SMW hack to be like. Savestates actually made it a lot easier.
The second part is the reason this level is on this list. All 8 rooms of the Virtual Reality gave me a ton of trouble, and the boss didn't make anything easier either.
I liked the level a lot though. It was frustrating, but I think it is far from a bad level.
1. Core of Disaster
Hack: Bowser's Ultimate Labyrinth by Sniggerb0bble
Actually, I'm not sure if this level is kaizo or not. It's the final level in what is easily the hardest SMW hack I've ever played.
Unlike Bowser's Castle from An SMWCentral Production, both halves of this level are extremely hard. The first part is mostly platforming, with a room that has ice blocks to be melted with the fire flower.
Take the concept with Tubular, crank up the difficulty about 75%, and you got another room in the first half. This one requires you to use a p-balloon, go through a huge maze, with walls, ceilings, and floors that will hurt you. There are several more p-balloons in this area, and eventually you will reach a star where you have to run very quickly.
The second half is even worse. Once again, it's mostly tricky platforming, but this time the platforms are spaced out more, some of which are impossible to reach without spin jumping off of the magikoopa clone's magic. There's also a room where you have to go through a water maze, where you have an air meter.
Even with savestates, this level will actually seem unwinnable.
This thread was actually a result of something that has been done in the Hardest SMW Hacks thread. Some people, including myself, have created lists on what they think are the hardest non-kaizo levels.
4. Bowser's Starship
Hack: The Second Reality Project by FPI
This is actually for the 2002 version of the level. The Reloaded version is still pretty tough though.
I'm actually surprised it's this low on the list. What makes it so hard is that you are required to be small mario for almost the whole level, which is filled with tons of obstacles that require good timing to avoid. Even with savestates, you will struggle with it.
3. SCORPION's Mansion/The Vault
Hack: The Fourth Sector by S.C.O.R.P.I.O.N.
I decided I'm only going to include one level from the Hunter and SCORPION series, since a few more of their levels could've easily made this list.
The original version of this level, called SCORPION's Mansion, is easily the hardest level they have ever made.
A few kaizo moments were present in this level actually, but I still do not consider it to be a kaizo level because there really aren't any unfair traps in the level. The main reason it is on this list is because of the puzzles that are found within the level, especially in the rooms that are pretty much endless. You think that you have to go to the end of the room to go to the next, only to find yourself back at the start of the room, where there is a hidden door present.
A new version of The Fourth Sector is currently in progress. One of the most recently finished levels was this one, now known as The Vault. The difficulty is being lowered quite a bit, so whenever the hack is completed and I have the chance to play it I will have to make a decision. There's a chance that The Vault may be removed from this list and replaced with the next hardest level in a Devious Four hack. It may be lowered on the list as well, but it could also stay where it's at right now. I do know that it will still be among the hardest in this hack though.
2. Bowser's Castle
Hack: An SMWCentral Production
At first I didn't think this level was going to be as tough as it turned out to be. The beginning was still rather tough, but I just saw it as just what I would originally expect a final level in an SMW hack to be like. Savestates actually made it a lot easier.
The second part is the reason this level is on this list. All 8 rooms of the Virtual Reality gave me a ton of trouble, and the boss didn't make anything easier either.
I liked the level a lot though. It was frustrating, but I think it is far from a bad level.
1. Core of Disaster
Hack: Bowser's Ultimate Labyrinth by Sniggerb0bble
Actually, I'm not sure if this level is kaizo or not. It's the final level in what is easily the hardest SMW hack I've ever played.
Unlike Bowser's Castle from An SMWCentral Production, both halves of this level are extremely hard. The first part is mostly platforming, with a room that has ice blocks to be melted with the fire flower.
Take the concept with Tubular, crank up the difficulty about 75%, and you got another room in the first half. This one requires you to use a p-balloon, go through a huge maze, with walls, ceilings, and floors that will hurt you. There are several more p-balloons in this area, and eventually you will reach a star where you have to run very quickly.
The second half is even worse. Once again, it's mostly tricky platforming, but this time the platforms are spaced out more, some of which are impossible to reach without spin jumping off of the magikoopa clone's magic. There's also a room where you have to go through a water maze, where you have an air meter.
Even with savestates, this level will actually seem unwinnable.