Dragon Slayer Gaiden is one of those Game Boy RPGs that somehow makes grinding through random battles feel satisfying. You start off with a basic sword and some seriously questionable armor, but the first time you take down a fire-breathing wyvern with nothing but quick reflexes and a well-timed potion? That’s the good stuff.

The pixel art holds up surprisingly well—those little dragon sprites actually look intimidating when they fill half the screen. And the dungeons? Classic maze-like layouts with just enough hidden switches and secret rooms to keep you poking at every wall. I got stuck for way too long in the third dungeon before realizing I needed to use a torch to light up a path.

It’s not an easy game, but the difficulty feels fair. You’ll die a few times figuring out enemy patterns, but when you finally clear a tough fight or find a rare weapon drop, it actually feels earned. If you’re into old-school RPGs that don’t hold your hand, this one’s a solid pick.