Battletoads (Japan) on NES is basically what happens when someone took the "heroic toad" concept and cranked it up to eleven. You play as Rash and Zitz—two mutant toads with serious attitude—trying to save their buddy Pimple from the Dark Queen. Forget cute lily pads; these guys punch robots, ride turbo-speed hoverbikes through obstacle gauntlets, and occasionally turn their fists into comically oversized hammers mid-combo.

The first level tricks you into thinking it's a standard beat-'em-up, but then it starts throwing wild curveballs: sudden racing sections, vertical climbing with instant-death pits, even a tunnel where you dodge walls at ridiculous speeds. The Japanese version is slightly easier than the brutal US release, but don't expect a walk in the park—this game demands reflexes and patience. Also, the soundtrack slaps way harder than it has any right to. If you ever wanted to see a toad uppercut a spaceship, this is your game.