Ganbare Goemon - Kurofunetou no Nazo is one of those weird little Game Boy gems that never left Japan. You play as Goemon, that blue-haired ninja dude who runs around throwing coins at enemies and occasionally summoning a giant robot (because why not?). The whole thing's set on this creepy black ship, and honestly, the atmosphere is way darker than you'd expect from a Goemon game.

First few minutes? You're jumping between ship decks, dodging guards in kabuki masks, and trying not to fall into the ocean. The controls take some getting used to—Goemon slides a bit when he stops, so you'll faceplant into enemies a few times before it clicks. But once you get the rhythm, there's something satisfying about bouncing between pipes and whipping out your pipe for close-range attacks.

It's got that classic Konami jank, but in a charming way. If you're into obscure platformers with a side of Japanese folklore nonsense, this one's worth a look.