head to head
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.

Execution · Pure Mechanics
A classic side-scrolling brawler focused on tight combat execution.

Execution · Pure Mechanics
Combo execution and dodge timing through scripted grindhouse brawls.
Final Fight 3 leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Shank leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Final Fight 3
beat-em-up combo and dodge execution
Shank
Combo juggling and dodge timing carry every brawl
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Final Fight 3
enemies use fixed scripted aggression
Shank
Enemies and bosses attack on fixed patterns
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Final Fight 3
minor enemy spawn randomness
Shank
Hand-built levels with no randomness
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Final Fight 3
character choice and combo-route optimization
Shank
Weapon-swap combo routing rewards some lab work
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.