I remember this game for the Atari 2600 which was basically impossible, Swordquest. Maybe I was just too young to understand its appeal… It had two cartridges, Earthworld and Fireworld. And I found out about 20 years later there was a contest associated with them, with the winners taking home a $25k prize…
This is an interview with Michael Rideout, the winner of the Fireworld contest.Web link of note: Swordquest interview
(At http://www.atarihq.com/2678/swordqst.html)