Ever stumble across one of those weird, Japan-only Game Boy games that make you go, "Wait, what is this?" That's Bart no Jack to Mame no Ki for you. It's based on some old Japanese folktale—something about a boy, a dog, and a magic tree—but honestly, the gameplay's the real mystery here.

You start off wandering this tiny, blocky world, talking to villagers who give you vague hints. At first, it feels like a basic adventure game, but then you realize you're collecting items and solving puzzles in this oddly specific way only 90s Japanese devs could dream up. The controls are stiff (it is Game Boy), but there's charm in figuring out how to progress when half the text is in kanji.

If you're into obscure retro curiosities, this one’s a deep cut. Just don’t expect it to hold your hand.