5 brutal yet brilliant platformers that will break your spirit (and your controller)

There’s something uniquely satisfying about nailing that perfect jump, dodging a last-second hazard, or finally clearing a level that’s been stomping you into the ground for hours. Platformers have a way of making you feel like a god when you succeed, and like an absolute fool when you fail. The greatest ones don’t just test your reflexes — they test your patience, endurance, and maybe even your willingness to keep your controller intact.