Platformer games, we all know them, we all love them, and sometimes, we all hate them! There's nothing quite like the feeling of finally conquering a level that's had you stuck for hours, your thumbs aching and your eyes glued to the screen. But some platformers take the challenge to a whole new level. We're not talking about a little bit tricky; we're talking about rage-inducing, controller-smashing, hard. So, buckle up, buttercup, because we're diving headfirst into the top 10 hardest platformer games ever ranked!

1. Battletoads

Battletoads, oh Battletoads, where do we even begin? This game isn't just hard; it's a masterclass in sadistic game design. Released in 1991 by Rare, Battletoads quickly gained notoriety for its extreme difficulty. What makes Battletoads so hard? Well, pretty much everything. The game throws you into a relentless series of challenges, from unforgiving platforming sections that require pixel-perfect jumps to enemies that seem to anticipate your every move. And let's not forget the infamous Turbo Tunnel, a level that has ended countless friendships and broken just as many controllers.

The difficulty of Battletoads stems from a combination of factors. First, the game's controls are deceptively simple. While you can jump, punch, and kick, mastering these basic moves is crucial for survival. The enemies are relentless and often attack in swarms, requiring you to constantly be on your guard. Furthermore, the level design is downright evil, with traps and obstacles hidden around every corner. One wrong move, and you're back to the beginning. The Turbo Tunnel is a perfect example of this. This high-speed section requires you to dodge obstacles at lightning-fast speeds, with little to no room for error. Many players consider this level to be one of the hardest in video game history. The game's length also contributes to its difficulty. Battletoads is a long game, with multiple levels that each present their own unique challenges. By the time you reach the later stages, you'll be exhausted and frustrated, making it even harder to succeed. Despite its difficulty, Battletoads has a certain charm that keeps players coming back for more. The game's wacky humor, over-the-top action, and catchy music make it a memorable experience. However, be warned: Battletoads is not for the faint of heart. Only the most skilled and patient gamers will be able to conquer this beast.

2. Ghosts 'n Goblins

Ghosts 'n Goblins, developed by Capcom, is a true classic of the arcade era. This game is notorious for its brutal difficulty, unforgiving gameplay, and relentless enemies. Players take on the role of Sir Arthur, a knight who must rescue Princess Prin Prin from the clutches of Satan. To do so, Arthur must battle his way through hordes of demons, zombies, and other ghoulish creatures. The game is set in a dark and eerie world, with each level filled with traps, obstacles, and enemies that are designed to kill you in the most frustrating way possible.

One of the things that makes Ghosts 'n Goblins so hard is its unforgiving one-hit kill system. Arthur can only take two hits before he dies, and the enemies are more than happy to oblige. Even worse, after taking the first hit, Arthur loses his armor and is reduced to his boxer shorts, making him even more vulnerable. The game's level design is also incredibly challenging. Each level is filled with traps, pitfalls, and enemies that are strategically placed to make your life as difficult as possible. You'll need to memorize the level layouts and enemy patterns to have any chance of surviving. The game's bosses are also notoriously difficult. These hulking creatures require you to use all your skills and reflexes to defeat them. Each boss has its own unique attack patterns and weaknesses, which you'll need to learn if you want to survive. And if you manage to beat the game, you're not done yet! To see the true ending, you'll need to play through the game again, at an even higher difficulty level. Ghosts 'n Goblins is a true test of skill and patience. Only the most dedicated players will be able to conquer this game.

3. I Wanna Be the Guy

I Wanna Be the Guy is a freeware indie platformer known for its extreme difficulty and tribute to classic video games. Created by Michael "Kayin" O'Reilly, this game is designed to be as challenging and unforgiving as possible. Players control the Kid, who must navigate a series of levels filled with deadly traps, obstacles, and enemies. The game is known for its instant death mechanics, where even the slightest mistake can lead to a quick and frustrating demise.

What makes I Wanna Be the Guy so hard? Well, pretty much everything. The game is filled with unexpected traps that can kill you without warning. Apples fall from the sky, bullets fly from nowhere, and the ground crumbles beneath your feet. You'll need to be constantly on your guard and ready to react to anything. The game's level design is also incredibly challenging. Each level is filled with pixel-perfect jumps, narrow corridors, and tricky obstacles. You'll need to master the Kid's movement abilities to have any chance of surviving. The game's bosses are also notoriously difficult. These hulking creatures require you to use all your skills and reflexes to defeat them. Each boss has its own unique attack patterns and weaknesses, which you'll need to learn if you want to survive. I Wanna Be the Guy is a true test of skill and patience. Only the most dedicated players will be able to conquer this game. But even if you fail, you'll still have a good time laughing at your own deaths.

4. Super Meat Boy

Super Meat Boy, developed by Team Meat, is an indie platformer known for its fast-paced gameplay and extreme difficulty. Players control Meat Boy, a skinless cube of meat who must rescue his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the evil Dr. Fetus. To do so, Meat Boy must navigate a series of levels filled with deadly traps, obstacles, and enemies. The game is known for its tight controls, challenging level design, and instant death mechanics.

One of the things that makes Super Meat Boy so hard is its forgiving respawn system. When you die, you're instantly respawned back at the beginning of the level, allowing you to quickly try again. This encourages players to experiment and learn from their mistakes. However, don't let the forgiving respawn system fool you: Super Meat Boy is still an incredibly challenging game. The levels are filled with buzzsaws, spikes, and other deadly traps, and you'll need to use all your skills and reflexes to avoid them. The game's level design is also incredibly challenging. Each level is filled with pixel-perfect jumps, narrow corridors, and tricky obstacles. You'll need to master Meat Boy's movement abilities to have any chance of surviving. Super Meat Boy is a true test of skill and patience. Only the most dedicated players will be able to conquer this game. But even if you fail, you'll still have a good time watching Meat Boy explode into a bloody mess.

5. Celeste

Celeste, developed by Maddy Makes Games Inc., is a platformer known for its emotional story and challenging gameplay. Players control Madeline, a young woman who is struggling with anxiety and depression. To overcome her inner demons, Madeline decides to climb Celeste Mountain, a treacherous peak filled with obstacles and challenges. The game is known for its tight controls, challenging level design, and emotional story.

While Celeste is a challenging game, it's also a very rewarding one. The game's story is deeply moving, and you'll find yourself rooting for Madeline as she overcomes her inner demons. The game's controls are also incredibly tight and responsive, allowing you to make precise movements and avoid deadly traps. The game's level design is also incredibly challenging. Each level is filled with pixel-perfect jumps, narrow corridors, and tricky obstacles. You'll need to master Madeline's movement abilities to have any chance of surviving. But even if you fail, you'll still have a good time exploring the game's beautiful world and learning more about Madeline's story. Celeste is a true masterpiece of the platformer genre.

6. Cuphead

Cuphead, developed and published by Studio MDHR, has gained widespread attention for its unique 1930s-inspired visual style and its challenging gameplay. This run-and-gun platformer follows the story of Cuphead and Mugman, two brothers who, after losing a bet with the Devil, must collect debts from various creatures to save themselves. The game is celebrated for its hand-drawn animation, original jazz soundtrack, and its high level of difficulty.

One of the main reasons Cuphead is considered difficult is its focus on boss battles. The game features numerous bosses, each with unique attack patterns and requiring players to learn and adapt quickly. These fights demand precise timing, strategic decision-making, and the ability to react swiftly to avoid a barrage of projectiles and attacks. The run-and-gun levels themselves are also challenging, featuring a variety of enemies and obstacles that require players to be constantly on their toes. Another aspect that adds to the difficulty is the limited health available to Cuphead and Mugman. Players can only take a few hits before being defeated, making each encounter a high-stakes situation. This forces players to carefully consider their actions and prioritize survival above all else. Despite the difficulty, Cuphead has been praised for its fairness. The game provides players with the tools and abilities necessary to overcome the challenges, and success ultimately comes down to skill and practice. The game’s charm, visuals, and soundtrack also help to ease the frustration that can come with repeated attempts, making it a rewarding experience for those who persevere.

7. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo, is widely regarded as one of the most challenging 2D platformers in recent years. Originally released on the Wii U and later ported to the Nintendo Switch, this game is known for its beautiful graphics, smooth gameplay, and high level of difficulty.

What makes Tropical Freeze so difficult? Several factors contribute to its challenge. The game features tight controls and precise platforming, requiring players to master Donkey Kong's movement abilities to navigate the treacherous levels. The level design is also incredibly challenging, with each level filled with obstacles, enemies, and traps that demand perfect timing and execution. One of the most notable aspects of Tropical Freeze is its variety of environments. From lush jungles to icy mountains, each world presents its own unique challenges and requires players to adapt their strategies accordingly. The game's bosses are also notoriously difficult, requiring players to learn their attack patterns and exploit their weaknesses. Another factor that contributes to the difficulty is the limited health available to Donkey Kong and his companions. Players can only take a few hits before being defeated, making each encounter a high-stakes situation. This forces players to carefully consider their actions and prioritize survival above all else. Despite its difficulty, Tropical Freeze has been praised for its fairness and its rewarding gameplay. The game provides players with the tools and abilities necessary to overcome the challenges, and success ultimately comes down to skill and practice. The addition of Dixie Kong as a playable character, with her ability to extend jumps with her ponytail, adds a new layer of strategy to the game and provides players with more options for tackling the challenging levels.

8. They Bleed Pixels

They Bleed Pixels, developed by Spooky Squid Games, is a unique blend of platforming and beat 'em up gameplay, set in a gothic horror world. This game is known for its challenging difficulty, stylish visuals, and innovative control scheme.

What sets They Bleed Pixels apart is its unique control scheme. Players control a nameless gothic Lolita who can plant herself on walls and create platforms of blood. These platforms can be used to navigate the treacherous levels, defeat enemies, and solve puzzles. However, creating platforms consumes blood, which is also the player's health. This creates a strategic element to the gameplay, as players must carefully manage their blood supply to survive. The game's level design is also incredibly challenging, with each level filled with traps, enemies, and obstacles that demand precise timing and execution. The enemies in They Bleed Pixels are also quite challenging. The game features a variety of creatures, each with unique attack patterns and abilities. Players must learn these patterns and exploit their weaknesses to survive. The game's art style is also quite unique, with a hand-drawn look that is both beautiful and disturbing. The game's music also adds to the atmosphere, with a gothic soundtrack that perfectly complements the visuals. They Bleed Pixels is a challenging but rewarding game that is sure to appeal to fans of both platformers and beat 'em ups. The game's unique control scheme and stylish visuals make it a truly unforgettable experience.

9. Volgarr the Viking

Volgarr the Viking, developed by Crazy Viking Studios, is a brutal and unforgiving action platformer that pays homage to classic arcade games. This game is known for its high difficulty, pixel-perfect platforming, and gruesome combat.

Volgarr the Viking is not for the faint of heart. This game is designed to be challenging, and it will test your skills and patience to the limit. The game's controls are simple but precise, and you'll need to master them to survive. Volgarr can run, jump, attack, and block, but each action must be timed perfectly to avoid taking damage. The game's level design is also incredibly challenging, with each level filled with traps, enemies, and obstacles that demand pixel-perfect timing and execution. The enemies in Volgarr the Viking are also quite challenging. The game features a variety of creatures, each with unique attack patterns and abilities. Players must learn these patterns and exploit their weaknesses to survive. What makes Volgarr the Viking so special is its attention to detail. The game is filled with secrets and hidden areas, and players are rewarded for exploring every nook and cranny. The game also features multiple endings, depending on how you play. Volgarr the Viking is a challenging but rewarding game that is sure to appeal to fans of classic arcade games. The game's brutal difficulty and gruesome combat make it a truly unforgettable experience.

10. Jump King

Jump King, developed by Nexile, is a unique and challenging platformer that is known for its high difficulty and addictive gameplay. This game is all about making precise jumps and avoiding falling all the way back down to the bottom of the level.

What makes Jump King so difficult? The game's unique jump mechanic. Players can charge their jumps to increase the distance and height, but they have no control over their character in the air. This means that every jump is a calculated risk, and one wrong move can send you plummeting back down to the bottom of the level. The game's level design is also incredibly challenging, with each area filled with treacherous platforms and hidden traps. You'll need to carefully plan your jumps and use your momentum to reach the next platform. The game's minimalist graphics and simple controls belie its deep and complex gameplay. Jump King is a game that is easy to learn but difficult to master, and it will test your patience and perseverance to the limit. Despite its difficulty, Jump King is an incredibly addictive game. The feeling of finally making a difficult jump is incredibly rewarding, and you'll find yourself coming back for more even after countless failures. Jump King is a true test of skill and patience, and it is sure to appeal to fans of challenging platformers.