All-Star Baseball 2001 on Game Boy Color is one of those old-school baseball games that actually holds up. The controls are simple—just enough to feel satisfying when you nail a curveball or steal second base—but not so deep that you’re fumbling with menus. You pick your team, step up to the plate, and immediately notice how the tiny pixel players actually have some personality in their animations.

I remember thinking the pitching mechanic was weird at first (hold A to charge, release to throw), but after a few innings, it clicks. Hitting’s the real fun though—timing a home run with Ken Griffey Jr. never gets old. The fielding’s a little clunky, but hey, it’s a Game Boy game. What surprised me was how much strategy sneaks in—do you bunt with a slow runner? Risk a steal? It’s got that classic baseball tension.

If you’ve got a soft spot for late-90s sports games, this one’s a solid dugout pick.