Castlevania: Bloodlines is one of those Genesis gems that doesn’t get enough love. It’s classic Castlevania—whip-cracking, candle-smashing, Medusa-head-dodging action—but with a twist: you’re not just stuck in Dracula’s castle. This time, you’re chasing evil across Europe, from a war-torn battlefield to a creepy-as-hell leaning tower. The levels actually change depending on whether you pick John Morris (whip guy) or Eric Lecarde (spear dude), which was pretty wild for 1994.

The Genesis sound chip gives the music this gritty, metallic edge that fits the darker tone. And yeah, it’s tough—expect to die a lot to cheap hits from off-screen enemies—but that’s part of the charm. If you’ve ever wanted to see what Castlevania feels like with 16-bit attitude, this is it.