The 10 HARDEST 3D Platforming Levels of All Time

10 Hardest 3D Platforming Levels of All Time

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re counting down our picks for the ten hardest, most challenging 3D platforming levels that will truly test your skills. For this list, we are only keeping to one entry per game franchise, since we easily could have just filled this whole list with late-game 3D Mario stages and myriad Crash Bandicoot levels.

Tree Tops

“Spyro the Dragon” (1998)

The Tree Tops level in “Spyro the Dragon” might seem quite innocuous at first glance; however, its quaint, bucolic facade hides a truly challenging level. You see, this level’s difficulty is three-fold: its verticality, its maze-like layout, and the need to perfectly utilize Spyro’s supercharge ability via multiple ramps and then glide in order to get to out-of-reach platforms. On paper this may sound quite simple. But, in practice…well, it’s a whole other story. Timing your supercharges (and chaining them together) on some of the ramps is quite tricky, especially since you have to then ensure you glide high enough and far enough to make it to the next tree top platform. Heck, even the “Reignited Trilogy’s” take on this level is just as tough, even with its more polished and refined controls and camera.

Lasers, Everywhere!

“Split Fiction” (2025)

“Split Fiction” hides a super secret level in the Isolation chapter, deep within the Maximum Security area. By utilizing the binary code just above the entrance to the elevator on the left, after sliding down the slide, you can descend into this downright punishing 3D platforming level. Broken up into five mini areas, you and your co-op pal must ensure both Mio and Zoe make it through each platforming laser gauntlet in order to progress. One wrong move and you get zapped by the lasers and it’s back to the start for you. So, it’s imperative that both of you are platforming pros in order to survive this. Anything less than platforming perfection means you won’t make it through the laser trials. But, for those that do, you are greeted by Hazelight’s Josef Fares, who congratulates you on your well-earned, hard-fought platforming victory.

Frostblight Mill

“Vexx” (2003)

“Vexx” is an often forgotten 3D action-platformer that is dripping with early 2000s attitude and style, and plenty of challenge, especially in the case of Frostblight Mill. This frozen winter platforming playground is unique in that it also houses a lava core where some of the most maniacially tough platforming sections are. “Vexx” adopts the “Super Mario 64” style of gameplay whereby Vexx chooses which wraithheart to try and obtain, hearkening back to the way Mario must choose which star to go after in the various levels. Well, Frostblight Mill’s wraithhearts are the toughest ones to tackle in the game. The slippery icy surfaces, howling winds that often impede successful platforming, the level’s verticality and hidden nooks and crannies, and the plethora of challenging platforming gauntlets all ensure that Vexx has his work cut out for him if he hopes to obtain every wraithheart in this cold, wintery level.

Great Master Challenge

“Astro Bot” (2024)

A truly great endgame platforming gauntlet should test every single skill you have learned through your adventure. This point is unequivocally evident in “Astro Bot’s” Great Master Challenge. This uber-tough challenge level is only unlocked once you have found 300 bots and 120 puzzle pieces in total; no easy feat, mind you. The Great Master Challenge is a relentless gauntlet of pure platforming prowess where perfection and precision are necessary in order to make it to the celebratory end where you meet up with the Lyrical Master bot. Here’s hoping we get even more Astro Bot in the future because this 3D platformer is simply sublime!

Planet Snivelak

“Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando” (2003)

Now, the “Ratchet & Clank” games are generally known for being all that challenging. However, “Going Commando” throws a curve ball difficulty spike in the form of Planet Snivelak. Broken up into two main gameplay sections, the first sees Ratchet and Clank battle relentless waves of goons who put up quite the fit, especially in the opening bridge section. Staying mobile and using the right weapon is key to survival here. Then, you are thrust into a citywide battle against a massive robot who seeks to crush our lombax and robot pals. This dude takes forever to put down given his sponge-like health bar and the fact that he can only be defeated by specifically placed electric laser turrets. It’s an arduous battle in an otherwise pretty tame game.

Meat Circus

“Psychonauts” (2005)

The Meat Circus in 2005’s “Psychoanuts” is not for the faint of heart or for any vegetarians out there, since, and this should be obvious, it’s a circus made almost entirely out of meat. Raz has his work cut out for him as he navigates this beefy, perilous circus. Every platforming skill and ability you have learned up to this point feels like it’s tested with failure coming around every flesh, goopy corner. It’s certainly one of the most unique levels in the entire game but its sole purpose seems to be one of grueling platforming nightmares, culminating in a tough-as-nails boss battle. Time to fire up the grill and get your BBQ on!

Hoodlum Headquarters

“Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc” (2003)

This massive labyrinthian headquarters of the Hoodlums provides challenge after challenge, without ever letting up. The platforming sections alone can be a real difficulty spike in a game that isn’t too hard overall. However, throw in a metric ton of Hoodlum goons set amidst the platforming and you have a dastardly recipe indeed. Some of these Hoodlums won’t go down without a serious fight. Even if you aren’t trying to collect everything in the Headquarters, there are still so many tricky areas to contend with as Rayman uses his various abilities and powers. Don’t even get me started on the final hectic platforming gauntlet where you must guide Rayman with pixel perfect platforming precision in order to avoid the rising red electricity, lava, mystery liquid stuff…I actually don’t know what it is; but this section is downright brutal. Good luck!

Get Seal Piece at Water Slums“Jak 2” (2003)

“Jak 2” is quite the step up in difficulty when compared to the first game, “The Precursor Legacy.” On top of being more dark and brooding, “Jak 2” just so happens to feature some maniacal missions that will make you pull your hair out in frustration. Enter ‘Get Seal Piece at Water Slums;’ a location so notorious to fans of this game that there are countless videos of gamers pushing their skills to the max in order to do no damage runs or speedruns. While this section is super short overall, it packs wallop after wallop as our duo deal with an overwhelming onslaught of baddies atop rickety walkways, all while avoiding the scurrying citizens. Four words for you Jak and Daxter: run towards the light.

The Perfect Run

“Super Mario Galaxy 2” (2010)

The name of this level in the Grandmaster Galaxy ensures it doesn’t play coy with you, never burying the lede. The Perfect Run is just that, a Prankser Comet level requiring the utmost precision and platforming prowess in order to guide Mario to the star at the end. One wrong move and it’s back to the start in the hopes of learning from your mistakes and trying again. In a game that is so darn whimsical and upbeat, The Perfect Run shows that incredible challenges can still be packaged up nicely in something fun, lightheated, and vibrant. Now, if only I was good enough at platforming to actually make it to the star at the end. Maybe one day!

Seeing Double

“Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time” (2020)

Let’s just get the proverbial elephant in the room out of the way; the “Crash Bandicoot” games are both 3D and 2.5D platformers depending on which level (or which part of a level) you are at. Now, we toyed with the idea of putting Stormy Ascent from “N. Sane Trilogy” or Fumbling in the Dark from the OG “Crash Bandicoot” here; but, we strongly feel that Seeing Double from “It’s About Time” is the toughest of the bunch. This mostly comes down to two main factors. Factor one: you play as both Neo Cortex and Crash Bandicoot in this level, swapping mid-level. Factor two: this end-of-game level requires absolute perfection and mastery. You will need to have a full understanding of every single jump, move, ability, and power for both characters in order to survive this nightmarish platforming gauntlet.

So, do you agree with our picks for this list? What are some of the hardest 3D platforming levels you have played? Let us know in the comments.