If you've ever wanted to feel like Takumi Fujiwara but stuck with a GBA, Initial D: Another Stage is about as close as you'll get. The moment you start, you're thrown into those tight mountain passes, tires screeching as you try not to slam into the guardrails—which, let's be honest, happens a lot at first. The drift mechanics take some getting used to, but when you finally nail that perfect corner, it's pure satisfaction.

What surprised me was how well they crammed the feel of Initial D into a tiny cartridge. The cars handle differently—the Trueno actually understeers less than the heavier models, just like in the show. And yeah, the AI racers don’t mess around; some of those late-game battles on Akina’s downhill will have you restarting more than a few times. The sprite work’s decent for a GBA racer, though don’t expect miracles—just lean into that late-night, headlights-in-the-fog vibe.

It’s not perfect (the music’s MIDI renditions hurt my soul a little), but if you’re into arcadey drift racing, this one’s weirdly addictive. Just don’t blame me when you start muttering about gutter runs at 3 AM.