Inazuma Eleven 2 - Firestorm is basically soccer meets RPG, and it works way better than it sounds. You start off with a ragtag team of misfits, and half the fun is scouting new players—some are hidden in random places, like this one kid I found hanging out behind the school. The matches are fast, chaotic, and full of ridiculous special moves that feel straight out of an anime (because, well, they are).

Early on, you’ll realize it’s not just about mashing buttons—positioning and timing matter, especially when pulling off those over-the-top shots. The story’s cheesy but charming, with rival teams popping up everywhere, and the DS touch controls actually make pulling off moves feel satisfying. If you ever wanted to yell “Fire Tornado!” unironically, this is your chance.

It’s one of those games where you tell yourself “one more match” and suddenly it’s 2 AM.