Classic NES - Castlevania on the GBA is basically the same tough-as-nails vampire hunt you remember, just crammed into a handheld. You start with that trusty whip, smashing candles for hearts and power-ups while skeletons come flying at you from all directions. The controls feel a little stiff by today's standards, but that's part of the charm—every jump and attack has weight to it.

First time I played, I got wrecked by those stupid Medusa heads in the third stage. Pro tip: duck when they swoop. The music still slaps, though—that iconic bassline kicks in the second you step into Dracula's castle, and suddenly you're 10 years old again, glued to your TV at 2 AM. Just don't expect any fancy save features; this is pure old-school "start from the beginning when you die" brutality.

Beating Dracula still feels like an actual achievement decades later.