Hostages - The Embassy Mission is one of those weird, tense NES games that feels way ahead of its time. You control a SWAT team rescuing hostages from a terrorist-held embassy, switching between snipers, rappelling commandos, and even a negotiator who’s basically just there to stall while you sneak around. The first time I played, I totally botched the sniper section because I didn’t realize you had to account for wind—yeah, wind physics on the NES.

It’s got this weird mix of strategy and action where you’re planning routes, timing movements, and then suddenly panicking when a terrorist spots you. The tension’s real, especially when you’re sneaking through vents or trying not to get your guys shot during the assault. Not gonna lie, it’s janky in that classic NES way, but there’s nothing else quite like it from that era.

If you’re into retro games that tried something different, this one’s a hidden gem. Just don’t expect it to hold your hand.