Captain Planet and the Planeteers on NES is one of those licensed games that feels exactly like the cartoon—for better or worse. You play as the Planeteers (or Captain Planet himself when you summon him), running through side-scrolling levels to stop polluters and eco-villains. The sprites are bright and colorful, but the controls are a little stiff, like most early '90s platformers.

First level throws you right into it—smog-filled factories, toxic waste barrels, the works. You’ve got your elemental rings, but honestly, I mostly just spammed the wind power because it felt the most reliable. The music’s catchy in that nostalgic, synth-heavy way, though good luck if you get hit too many times—those knockbacks can send you straight into a pit.

It’s definitely a product of its time, but if you grew up with the show, there’s something weirdly charming about yelling "Go Planet!" while pixelated Captain Planet punches a guy dumping oil into the ocean.