Cabal on NES is one of those games that looks simple at first—just you, a dude with a gun, and a whole lot of enemies popping out from behind cover. But man, it gets intense fast. You’re constantly dodging bullets while trying to line up shots, and the second you stop moving, you’re toast. The controls feel a little stiff at first (Z to shoot, arrows to move), but once you get the rhythm down, it’s weirdly satisfying.

What I like is how it forces you to think on your feet—you can’t just camp behind cover forever because the enemy flushes you out. And yeah, the graphics are basic, but there’s something about the way the screen scrolls and enemies swarm that keeps you tense. If you’re into run-and-gun stuff like Metal Slug but want something a bit more stripped-down, this is a solid pick. Just don’t expect to survive long on your first try.