Happy Wheels

Created by Jim Bonacci at Fancy Force, Happy Wheels became one of the most recognizable browser games ever made. You pick a character, from a businessman on a Segway to a father pedaling with his kid on the back, and guide them through obstacle courses filled with spikes, mines, harpoons and giant drops. The physics are loose and ragdoll-based, so every crash turns into slapstick chaos.

Beyond its dark humor, the game has real depth. Vehicles handle very differently, featured levels test precise balance and timing, and the level editor spawned a huge library of player-made creations ranging from racing courses to puzzle maps. It is best suited to older players because of its cartoonish gore, but the core challenge is pure physics platforming.

Choose a character and a level, then reach the finish line or complete the stated objective. Each rider has a vehicle with its own quirks, and you control it by accelerating, braking and shifting your weight forward or backward to keep balance over ramps and gaps. Many characters also have special actions, like a jump, a speed boost or an ejection that lets you continue on foot. Hazards can dismember your rider, and some levels still let you finish after losing a limb. Experiment with momentum, learn each course's traps and find the route that gets you through intact.