Kenseiden is one of those old-school Master System gems that feels like a fever dream version of samurai folklore. You start off with this little sword-slashing dude in a haunted feudal Japan, slicing through demons, weird potbellied monkeys (seriously, they’re everywhere), and undead warriors. The levels branch off in different directions, so you’re not just mindlessly running right—sometimes you take a hidden path and end up in a temple full of floating skulls or some cursed forest.

The controls are stiff by today’s standards, but once you get the rhythm of the sword swings and jumps, it’s weirdly satisfying. And the music? Haunting chiptune melodies that stick in your head for days. Just don’t expect mercy—this game throws some brutal enemy placements at you out of nowhere.

If you’re into retro action with a dark, weird vibe, Kenseiden’s worth dusting off the Master System for.