Jigoku Gokuraku Maru is one of those weird, forgotten NES gems—part side-scrolling action, part strategy, and all bizarre. You play as a samurai (or one of three other characters) slicing through demons and undead warriors in feudal Japan, but here’s the twist: you’re constantly swapping between the human world and the underworld, each with its own enemies and obstacles. The first time I played, I got wrecked because I didn’t realize some attacks only work in one realm.

The pixel art has this grimy, eerie charm—lots of blood-red skies and floating skulls—and the controls are stiff in that classic NES way, so you’ve gotta commit to every swing. Picking the right character matters too; the ninja’s fast but fragile, while the monk hits hard but moves like a tank. It’s janky, punishing, and oddly satisfying once you get the hang of it. Definitely not for everyone, but if you like obscure retro action with a weird gimmick, this one’s worth a look.