Contra: The Hard Corps is one of those Genesis games that makes you question whether you actually had good reflexes as a kid or just a lot of free time. Right from the jump, you're dodging bullets, hopping over pits, and praying you don't accidentally pick the spread gun when you meant to grab the laser (we've all been there).

It's got that classic Contra chaos—screen-filling bosses, soldiers rappelling down ropes to flank you, and explosions everywhere. But this one mixes it up with four playable characters, each with their own weird weapon loadouts. The cyborg guy with the flamethrower arm? Yeah, he's ridiculous in the best way.

Fair warning: it's brutal. You'll die a lot. But there's something satisfying about finally nailing that perfect run where you barely scrape through a boss fight with one pixel of health left. If you miss when games didn't hold your hand, this one's got your back—just don't throw the controller.