Castlevania III is one of those NES games that just feels right—tight controls, killer music, and that perfect mix of tough-but-fair platforming. You play as Trevor Belmont, whipping your way through gothic levels packed with zombies, Medusa heads (ugh, those things), and some surprisingly creative boss fights. The cool twist? You can recruit allies like Grant the pirate (who climbs walls) or Sypha the mage (spells for days), which changes how you tackle certain sections.

It’s harder than the first Castlevania, no lie—some jumps will make you sweat, and Dracula’s final form is no joke. But nailing a perfect run, especially with the alternate paths and characters, feels amazing. The soundtrack slaps, too; that opening stage theme still lives in my head rent-free.

Controls are classic NES: arrows to move, Z for attack, X for jump. Pro tip: learn the whip’s timing—it’s got a slight delay, so you can’t just button-mash. Also, holy water is your best friend against bosses.

If you dig this, Metal Slug 3 and King of Fighters 2002 have that same arcade-y, skill-testing vibe. But honestly, Castlevania III stands on its own as one of the NES greats.