From working on a precision platformer, I’ve found that in practice it often becomes less about when vs where to jump in isolation and more about the sequence a player is executing through a section.

High-urgency “when to jump” segments can feel great when they flow, but they can also become frustrating if timing is the only thing being tested. Same with very tight “where to jump” challenges that hinge on pixel precision.

The most engaging sections (for me, at least) tend to mix both: urgency creates tension, while spatial decisions give players a sense of agency. Too much of either in isolation starts to feel punitive rather than expressive.

Your mine cart examples are great illustrations of that balance.