Kenyuu Densetsu Yaiba is one of those obscure Game Boy action-RPGs that flew under the radar—probably because it never left Japan. You play as this sword-wielding hero slicing through monsters in side-scrolling combat that feels somewhere between Castlevania and a simpler Secret of Mana. The sprites are chunky but charming, and there’s something satisfying about how your sword swings with a little weight to it.

What’s cool is the weapon upgrade system—you’re constantly finding new blades with different reach and power, so you’re always tweaking your approach. The first boss wrecked me until I realized I’d been using the wrong sword type the whole time. Classic 90s trial-and-error.

It’s not the deepest game, but if you’re into retro action with a hint of RPG progression, it’s a neat little time capsule. Just don’t expect an English patch—you’ll be guessing at menus.