F-Zero: GP Legend on the GBA is one of those games that makes you grip the handheld way too tight—because you’re either barely scraping past a hairpin turn at 900 km/h or slamming into a wall. Again. The tracks twist like spaghetti, and the AI racers don’t mess around. You’ll recognize Captain Falcon and the gang, but don’t expect them to go easy on you just because they’re pixelated.

What I love is how the game forces you to actually learn the tracks instead of just flooring it. That last turn on Big Blue? Yeah, good luck nailing that without memorizing the exact spot to drift. And good luck not swearing when you wipe out on the final lap. The hovercars handle like they’re on ice sometimes, but when you finally thread the needle between two rivals and boost across the finish line? Pure satisfaction.

It’s not just about speed, either—you’ve gotta manage your energy like a budget. Boost too much, and you’re a sitting duck. Play it too safe, and you’ll never catch up. This game doesn’t hold your hand, and that’s why it’s still fun years later.