Ever played a side-scroller where you actually feel like you're hacking through an army? Hua Mu Lan – Mulan on the Sega Genesis nails that vibe. You start off with this simple sword slash, but before long, you're ducking arrows, jumping over pits, and taking on waves of enemies that actually make you think about spacing. The sprites are chunky in that classic 16-bit way, and the music’s got that driving, "you’re-in-a-war" energy.

It’s not just mindless slashing, either—some enemies block or attack in patterns, so you’ve gotta time your strikes. And yeah, it’s tough. Like, "throw-your-controller" tough in spots, but in that satisfying retro way where you know it’s your fault, not the game’s. The levels mix open combat with some light platforming, and there’s even a horseback section that feels straight out of an old kung fu movie.

If you grew up with Genesis brawlers or just love the Mulan story, this one’s a solid deep cut. Just don’t expect it to go easy on you.