James Pond 3 on SNES is one of those weirdly charming platformers where you play as a fish secret agent—yes, really. The controls take a second to get used to since you're swimming most of the time, but once you adjust, it’s oddly satisfying to zip around coral reefs and dodge jellyfish mines.

The levels are packed with little secrets and dumb fish puns (Dr. Maybe’s goons are called "Codpieces," which tells you everything about the tone). Some of the puzzles can be frustrating—like that one section where you have to bounce on bubbles just right—but the cartoony art and goofy humor make up for it. Also, the power-ups are ridiculous in the best way. One turns you into a submarine. Because why not?

If you’re into retro games that don’t take themselves seriously, this one’s a solid pick. Just don’t expect it to be as tight as Mario—it’s more about the vibe than precision.