People often remember frustrating boss battles in video games, but they tend to forget the incredibly challenging platforming sections that almost made them give up playing altogether.
Players tend to remember difficult boss fights because bosses are prominent obstacles. However, it seems many players don’t notice that some of the platforming sections – the jumping and running parts – are actually even more frustrating.
Platforming is now a common addition to many games, often used to add variety to how they’re played. However, if a game already focuses on being challenging, adding platforming elements can make it overly difficult.
I’ve played a lot of games – from fast-paced shooters to classic platformers – and encountered some incredibly difficult parts. This list highlights ten platforming sections that were even tougher than any boss I’ve faced.
10. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Sandworm Escape
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a well-rounded Metroidvania game that gives equal importance to challenging boss battles and thrilling escapes from those bosses, with the Sandworm Escape being the most memorable example.
This section stands out mostly for its unique underground movement mechanics, but it’s also very challenging, requiring careful timing and accuracy throughout.
The game demands incredibly precise timing and control – not just for jumping and aiming, but also for quickly changing direction when the level throws obstacles your way. It took me a lot of tries to learn the area and get used to these demanding controls.
The Sandworm Escape sequence perfectly showcases what makes *Ori and the Will of the Wisps* a standout cinematic platformer – and just how challenging it can be when it wants to be.
9. Bionic Bay
Cryostatic
Playing *Bionic Bay* in 2025 was a real highlight, and I think it’s one of the most overlooked games of the year.
The game’s platforming feels incredibly realistic, and it cleverly combines that with puzzle elements. It’s especially impressive how carefully designed the challenges are, like the ones you find in the Cryostatic level.
Okay, so the core of this game is freezing objects mid-air to create platforms, but it’s trickier than it sounds. It’s not like there’s a button or a clear way to do it – you really have to nail the timing and *where* you freeze things. It takes some practice to get the hang of the movement and placement just right!
It took many, many tries to figure out the best way to connect each section, and while it was often challenging, the feeling of finally succeeding was incredibly rewarding.
Bionic Bay is a classic platformer game that perfectly shows why this genre has remained popular for so long. It’s a fantastic game, and I highly recommend it.
8. Unlinked Mask
Kaizoblock
| Platform(s) | PC |
|---|---|
| Released | 2024-03-29 |
| Developer(s) | Klonoz |
| Publisher(s) | indie.io |
| Genre(s) | 2D Platformer |
| How Long To Beat | 2 Hours |
If you love classic Game Boy platformers and games like *Celeste*, you’ll really enjoy *Unlinked Mask*. It’s a fantastic blend of those influences, creating a surprisingly amazing experience.
It has a unique and memorable visual style, but also presents difficulties that are as significant as those faced in Madeleine’s journey.
The hardest level is definitely Kaizoblock. It demands not just accurate jumps, but also perfect timing because the platforms constantly move. You’ll need to flawlessly navigate long stretches to reach each checkpoint.
Honestly, as a fan, I think the key is to really *learn* each part of the game like it’s second nature. You need to practice until everything flows together without you even having to think about it – just reacting on pure instinct and muscle memory. It’s about getting so comfortable that you just *do* it!
Okay, so I just finished *Unlinked Mask*, and wow, it took me about three hours. It’s seriously full of tough challenges, the kind that really test your skills. If you loved *Celeste* or just want a game that’ll push you to your limits – and maybe even make you rage a little – you *have* to check this one out. Seriously, be prepared to maybe need a new keyboard after this!
7. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Oboro Village’s Ankou Rift
Recently finishing the game *Shinobi: Art of Vengeance* felt incredibly rewarding, especially given how challenging the Ankou Rift in Oboro Village is.
This challenge is one of several optional extras found in the game’s platforming and combat sections. However, this specific one took me a surprisingly long time to finish – I honestly lost track of how many tries it took!
Right now, you’re still learning the ropes and haven’t unlocked all the movement options. This means you’ll need to be very precise with your jumps and movements to avoid enemies and obstacles.
This challenge was surprisingly difficult for me. While other parts of the game didn’t bother me, this specific combination of simple requirements and the need for perfect timing kept me stuck for a couple of hours.
I honestly failed the Ankou Rift in Oboro Village more times than all the game’s boss fights combined. While the combat in *Shinobi: Art of Vengeance* is excellent, the platforming sometimes feels a little rough, requiring extra skill to overcome those tricky spots.
6. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Back in the Caves (S-4)
I was nearing the end of *Shinobi* when I decided to also play through *Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound*, which felt very similar – both games had a particularly frustrating platforming section.
The game lets you switch between playing as Kenji and Kumori to progress, and this becomes particularly challenging – and frustrating – in the hidden level called Back in the Caves, where you’ll likely struggle for several minutes.
Even though the prize is just a golden scarab, reaching this section on the right side of the map is really challenging because of a strict time limit. You can only get more time by collecting blue orbs, but you have to defeat some pesky flying skulls first to reach them.
The game requires incredibly precise movements for jumping and throwing, so I broke down the learning process into ten smaller, manageable parts. I wouldn’t move on to the next part until I had fully mastered the one before it.
Although the risky strategy worked, the small reward and the time it took to achieve it made this my biggest letdown in what is otherwise a fantastic game, *Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound*.
5. Cuphead
Perilous Piers
Playing *Cuphead* included boss battles so difficult they made me seriously doubt whether I should continue gaming after 20 years, as they were incredibly frustrating and challenging.
I almost gave up on the game twice! The Perilous Piers level, with its fast-paced action, was incredibly difficult and really tested my skills as a player. It took me several months, but I eventually managed to finish it.
Whether it’s dodging the lobster, managing platforms and tons of enemies, avoiding endless projectiles, or just my own lack of coordination, that part of Cuphead caused me to die more than any other.
I went into this game knowing it would be challenging, and completing it, along with all the extra content, feels incredibly rewarding. It took a lot more patience than I expected, and I struggled to find a consistent strategy, even when trying different abilities and equipment. Eventually, everything just clicked, and I was glad to have finished it and moved on.
4. Super Mario Bros.
World 8-3
Even after finishing many challenging modern games, I have to admit I really struggle with *Super Mario Bros.* It consistently frustrates me in ways that are hard to explain.
However, the hardest level is definitely World 8-3. The sheer number of Hammer Bros there is so overwhelming that it’s frustrating even with unlimited lives.
To be honest, that level’s biggest issue for me isn’t the tricky jumps or hidden items. It’s those swinging hammers – they always make me really anxious.
I can only reliably beat the level if I can throw fireballs. Without that, I have to depend on getting lucky, because I know I wouldn’t be able to succeed based on skill alone.
I generally struggle to get into older games, though very few reach the quality of the original *Super Mario Bros.* Despite that, it holds a special place for me and is a significant part of my gaming history, so I can overlook its flaws.
3. Aeterna Noctis
Cosmos
It might seem strange to highlight a whole Metroidvania map, but the world of Cosmos in *Aeterna Noctis* is truly exceptional and deserves recognition.
You’ll be jumping all over the place on planets with unique gravity, facing challenges from every direction. And to make things even harder, you’ll have to dodge enemies and a ridiculous number of spikes!
The game centers around throwing a projectile and then instantly teleporting to its location. This creates a really interesting experience, but also makes the platforming challenges much harder, particularly when combined with other obstacles.
I really love *Aeterna Noctis*. It was a huge, ambitious project with a ton of content, and looking back on my experience with it is a bit of a mixed bag. It was challenging, even a little traumatic, but it also proved to me that I can achieve amazing things when I’m fully committed.
2. Hollow Knight
Path of Pain
It’s impossible to talk about the best games of the last ten years without mentioning *Hollow Knight*, especially when you consider the incredibly difficult challenge of *Path of Pain*.
This surprisingly difficult, optional content has become legendary in the world of platforming games. It’s brilliantly designed, perfectly utilizing the game’s precise and refined controls.
This challenging obstacle course wouldn’t be possible without the precise controls Team Cherry developed. They cleverly hid their toughest platforming section, and those who mastered it were rewarded with a key piece of the game’s story.
Completing Path of Pain requires a huge number of incredibly precise movements and a lot of mental focus. It’s so challenging that it doesn’t contribute to the overall game completion rate.
A lot of players have already finished the challenge, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy! It’s more a testament to the dedication – and willingness to struggle – of *Hollow Knight* fans, who seem to really enjoy a tough experience. The name of this section perfectly describes them.
1. Celeste
Farewell
While all the games on this list are challenging and rightfully earned their spots, the difficulty of *Celeste*’s *Farewell* DLC surpasses them all combined.
This expansion is filled with inventive and unique platforming challenges. While sometimes frustrating, these challenges are balanced by the game’s excellent controls and the helpful tools it provides to succeed.
Farewell secured its top ranking primarily due to its incredibly demanding final screen. This section requires players to flawlessly chain together up to three minutes of continuous movement – jumps, glides, dashes, wall grabs, bounces, and wave dashes – with absolutely no room for error or a moment to pause.
Okay, so I finally finished that DLC, and let me tell you, it took me around 10,000 deaths total. But there was *one* section… man, that thing took about 1,000 deaths on its own. Seriously, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever beaten in a game, period. Whether it was the platforming or just the overall design, I felt like I was scaling a massive wall. I honestly don’t think any other game will ever throw something that challenging my way.
Despite its beautiful design and fair gameplay – every failure truly feels like your own mistake – *Celeste* is, in my opinion, the greatest and most brutally difficult platformer ever made. And that’s exactly why I adore it.
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2025-10-15 16:13