15 Most Brutally Hard Video Game Moments Of The Decade (So Far)

4. Literally Every Level In 1001 Spikes

Feeling like the natural endpoint to the conversation Super Meat Boy started as to how difficult we like our games, 1001 Spikes is built to push your buttons.

It caught on in a big way with Twitch streamers and Youtubers - such is the delight of watching someone bash their head against the likes of the above, knowing it's not you who has to make it through in one piece.

Such was the resurgence in games that completely abused your spare time at the beginning of the 2010s.

Literally take any screen from Nicalis' expert platformer and you'll see a pulsating mass of instant annoyance, its retracting spikes designed to kick all but the staunchest gamers back to the starting line. It'd be parodic if not for some welcome, instant restarts, and how controlling Aban Hawkins is actually supremely responsive, ensuring that if you do take 1001 Spikes seriously, you can have something of a good time.

Probably.