My PS3 games have not been all that hard with the exception of the notoriously difficult Demon's Souls and Dark Souls.
Like a few others have said - I think there were hard retro games (but, I didn't think
Adventure (2600:)) was one of 'em...which, in all honesty, could have been due to the number of hours that I spent playing it
...And, I think that there are still hard games today.
Also (as others have already said), in many ways -comparing them is pretty much 'apples 'n' oranges'.
*HOWEVER* -
- I *can* point you towards some "not-very-easy" games for your PS3
Since I know that we have similar tastes in RPG's; I'll give you 2 of my favorite (difficult *but* fair) PS3 RPG's.
First up is my all-time favorite PS3 RPG (hell - my favorite PS3 *Game*) ever (and yes, I'm aware that it's a 'controversial' pick in that it's a love-it-or-hate-it kind of game)...
**********
CROSS-EDGE**********
It's a cross-over RPG w/ playable characters from the series:
Darkstalkers = Morrigan, Lilith, Felicia, Demitri, and Jedah
Atelier = Marie,
Disgaea = Etna & Prinny,
Mana Khemia (2) = Lily, Whim, Raize, & Reicher,
Blazing Souls = Meu & Zelos,
Ar-Tonelico = Shurelia, Miesha, Aurica, Lyner, Ayatane, and Bourd, and
~10 or so, original characters.
While it's not necessary to *have* to have played any of these other games - you'll obviously get more out of the character's behaviors, interactions, costumes/weapons/armor, etc. if you have.
IT IS NOT AN EASY GAME!
It *IS* a very rewarding & satisfying game to play/beat, though once you "get" how everything works (this will take a while).
Also, if going for the "True End"...you will *NEED* to print-out/have at your side a "true-end walkthrough/checklist" - you will *never* attain the true end w/o one...nobody ever would!
It has a *steep* learning-curve, but, I love the game so much (I absolutely *hated* it, btw, my 1st playthrough); that I've platinumed it twice (on 2 different PSN accounts), and have been through the whole thing 3 or 4 times...
...If you ever get/play it, don't hesitate to ask me for help (or, go to the (surprisingly) still active & helpful G*Faq's board for it:)
"It's so easy, that you can plat it one-handed; even" Wow, is this post getting loooong -so- I'll skimp on the description and simply recommend that you look into:
Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls (in NA, unfortunately), it's download-only from the PSN store.
Just be aware that this is much more of a "dungeon-crawler" RPG than CE is...
Enjoy