Archon on NES is chess, but with a twist—when your piece tries to take an opponent’s, you don’t just remove it. Instead, you get thrown into this weird little arcade battle where you control the pieces directly. Knights slash with swords, bishops shoot magic bolts, and pawns… well, they try their best.

Stronger pieces usually win, but not always—sometimes a lucky pawn can take down a queen if you’re sloppy. And yeah, both pieces can wipe each other out, which makes every move feel risky. It’s chess, but way more chaotic and unpredictable. You’ll second-guess every attack.

Honestly, the combat feels a little janky by today’s standards, but that’s part of the charm. It’s a weird, aggressive take on chess that keeps you on your toes.