Mazinger Z on SNES is one of those classic anime-to-game adaptations that actually gets the vibe right. You play as Kouji Kabuto piloting the iconic mech, smashing through Dr. Hell's forces with rocket punches and chest beams. The controls feel a bit stiff at first—typical for early 90s platformers—but once you get used to the weighty jumps, plowing through enemy robots is oddly satisfying.

What surprised me was how faithful it is to the source material. The sprites look ripped straight from the anime, and the soundtrack nails that heroic, slightly cheesy tone. Some of the platforming sections can be brutal (watch out for those bottomless pits), but pulling off a perfectly timed Photon Beam to wipe out a whole screen of baddies makes up for it. Definitely a must-play if you're into old-school mecha action.