Anyone who played games before the 00s and the advent of never-ending restarts and rolling saves knows the excruciating frustration games can produce. Given the move on to mobiles, it seems odd more aren't chucked at the wall in fits of pique – but Super Splatform (P1XL, iPad, £1.49) sets out to change that. This stripped-down platformer presents a perpetually bouncing ball that must be navigated between the platforms that make up the game's landscape. Miss a landing and that's it – game over. Tilt controls make this even harder, and will soon have players waving their tablet around dementedly, swearing at the screen as the sphere descends to its doom. There are three modes: Super Splatform, with tasks and varied visuals; Classic, with simple black background and grey platforms; and Endless, in which you move ever upwards, until the inevitable crushing fall.

TCHOW Rainbow (TCHOW, iOS £1.49) harks back to the first mobile game to capture the public imagination, Snake. You control a rainbow, brightening up the lives of the inhabitants of a grey world. Initially, there's one strand to control, avoiding obstacles while taking colour to the people, but it progresses to a multitude of colours to be guided and pulled about the landscape. With rewards for keeping as many strands as possible intact as well as your finger on the touchscreen at all times, it too can be achingly hard – but very rewarding.