Doofus

Doofus (1994) is what happens when platformers go slightly off the rails. You guide a floppy-haired kid through surreal, cartoony landscapes filled with hazards that feel more annoying than dangerous. The controls are… let’s say “temperamental,” and the graphics scream Saturday-morning cartoon on a sugar rush. The charm, however, lies in its refusal to take itself seriously. Unlike Mario or Sonic, Doofus doesn’t feel like a hero; he feels like a kid who accidentally wandered into a video game. While not a classic, it’s one of those quirky oddballs that makes you smile despite its flaws—mostly because it never tries to be anything more than goofy fun.