Gargoyle's Quest is one of those weird little Game Boy gems that somehow blends side-scrolling action with light RPG elements—and it actually works. You play as Firebrand, this red gargoyle dude who can hover for a second mid-jump (which you’ll need, because the platforming gets brutal fast). The overworld map feels like an old-school JRPG, but then you drop into these tight, screen-by-screen platforming sections where one wrong move sends you back to the start.

What really stuck with me was the atmosphere—everything’s got this gothic, slightly off-putting vibe, like a Castlevania game stripped down to its bones. The music’s all eerie chiptune organs, and the enemies are these creepy floating masks and living statues. Upgrading Firebrand’s abilities helps, but don’t expect it to make things easy. That final boss still haunts me.

If you’re into punishing-but-fair retro games, this one’s a must. Just don’t throw your Game Boy across the room when you miss a jump for the tenth time.