Choplifter on the Sega Master System is one of those games that looks simple at first—just fly a chopper, rescue hostages, don’t get shot down—but man, it gets tense fast. You’re dodging anti-aircraft fire, weaving between mountains, and trying not to get blown up while your rescued passengers scream in the backseat. The controls feel a little stiff by today’s standards, but there’s something weirdly satisfying about nailing a perfect landing under fire.

Fun fact: This version’s a Japan-only prototype, so it’s got some quirks you won’t find in the official releases. The pixel art’s surprisingly detailed for an 8-bit game, especially when your chopper goes down in flames (which, trust me, will happen a lot). If you’re into retro games that don’t hold your hand, this one’s a solid time capsule.