Hinotori - Houou Hen - Gaou no Bouken is one of those weird, obscure NES games that never left Japan—which is a shame, because it’s actually pretty cool once you get past the language barrier. You play as this firebird (or phoenix, depending on who you ask) flying through side-scrolling stages, shooting flames at enemies and dodging obstacles. The controls feel a little stiff at first, but once you get used to the momentum, weaving through tight spaces becomes weirdly satisfying.

The art style’s got that classic 8-bit charm, with bright colors and chunky sprites. Some of the bosses are surprisingly creative—there’s one that’s basically a giant floating demon head that spits fireballs at you. The music’s catchy too, in that old-school NES way where the same melody loops forever but somehow never gets annoying.

If you’re into retro games and don’t mind some trial-and-error (or looking up a translation guide), this one’s a neat little hidden gem. Just don’t expect it to hold your hand.