Published Oct 24, 2026, 12:01 PM EDT

When missing a jump means certain doom, you might wish for death

Image: Ubisoft

Platform games have an undeniable innocence. Since the days of Super Mario Bros. , they've embodied the escapist joy that people associate with the medium. It's hard not to be charmed by the colorful aesthetics, creative styles, and beautifully simple gameplay. Sure, plenty of other genres have emerged over the years, but none have captured the easygoing appeal of running and jumping over obstacles. That pure sense of fun makes platformers the ultimate gaming comfort food . On the other hand, not every bite is so sweet.

Some platformers are downright cruel in their difficulty. These titles present the same leaps and bounds as other genre gems, but they amplify these elements to insane degrees. Oftentimes, the levels have so many hazards and hostiles that beating them seems virtually impossible. One wrong move can spell instant doom, and that challenge can surprise any player.…