Hamster Paradise 2 is one of those weirdly charming Game Boy Color games that never left Japan—you’re basically running a hamster daycare. You feed them, clean their cages, and watch them roll around in little balls. It’s way more relaxing than it sounds, and the pixel art is stupidly cute.

At first, I thought it’d just be a basic pet sim, but there’s actually a surprising amount to do—breeding hamsters, decorating their habitats, even sending them on little "adventures" (yes, spelled like that). The controls are simple, but figuring out which treats they like best or which color hamsters pair well for breeding keeps it oddly engaging.

Definitely one of those hidden gems if you’re into low-stakes, nostalgic games. Just don’t blame me when you catch yourself saying "aww" at a tiny pixel hamster eating a sunflower seed.