ExoSquad on the Genesis is one of those mech games that actually makes you feel like you're piloting a hulking war machine—not just some floaty robot. You start off with basic armor and weapons, but after a few missions, you're swapping out shoulder-mounted lasers for plasma cannons and figuring out which legs work best for dodging enemy fire (hint: skip the heavy treads unless you love being a slow-moving target).

The levels throw you into everything from urban wreckage to asteroid fields, and the enemies don’t mess around. One wrong move and your mech’s limbs start flying off. I remember getting stuck on this one desert mission where snipers kept picking me apart until I finally caved and replayed earlier stages for upgrades. Classic 90s difficulty, but it’s satisfying when you finally crack a tough fight.

If you grew up with the cartoon, the pixelated versions of the characters are a fun little nod, but even if you didn’t, the gameplay holds up. Just don’t expect a walk in the park—this one makes you work for those wins.