Konchu Monster - Battle Master Stadium is one of those weird, charming GBA games that never made it outside Japan. You collect these little bug-like monsters (the "Konchu") and train them to battle in a tournament-style arena. At first, it feels like a stripped-down Pokémon—pick your starter, grind a bit, learn some moves—but the battles have this weirdly satisfying rhythm to them. Timing your attacks right actually matters, and some of the late-game Konchu designs get surprisingly creative.

It’s definitely rough around the edges—the menus are clunky, and good luck figuring out some of the mechanics without a guide—but there’s something oddly addictive about it. Maybe it’s the chunky pixel art or the fact that your little beetle guys can eventually evolve into these ridiculous armored tanks. If you’re into obscure monster battlers, this one’s a neat little time capsule.