E-SWAT on the Sega Master System is one of those old-school side-scrollers that starts simple but gets brutal fast—especially in this "Hard Version." You play as a cyber-cop armed with a basic pistol at first, blasting through waves of generic thugs. But after the first few stages, you upgrade to this clunky mech suit that turns you into a walking tank. Feels awesome... until the difficulty spikes and enemies start swarming from every direction.

The levels are short but punishing, with cheap hits and tight platforming that’ll test your patience. The music’s got that classic Sega chiptune energy, though, and there’s something satisfying about mowing down goons once you get the rhythm down. Just don’t expect to beat it in one sitting unless you’ve got reflexes of steel.

If you’re into retro games that don’t hold your hand, this one’s a solid (if frustrating) time capsule.