Arkista's Ring is one of those NES hidden gems that feels like a warm hug from the 8-bit era. You play as Christine, an elf girl armed with a sword (and later, some seriously fun power-ups), hacking through 125 bite-sized dungeons packed with goofy enemies like hopping mushrooms and floating eyeballs.

The music’s weirdly chill for an action game—more "strolling through an enchanted forest" than "battle to the death." And yeah, it’s simpler than Zelda—no complex puzzles or sprawling overworld—but that’s kinda the charm. You just pick a stage, slash your way through, grab whatever upgrades you find (the boomerang sword rules), and move on. Perfect for when you want something light but still satisfying.

Honestly, half the fun is watching Christine’s little victory dance after clearing a floor. She’s adorable.