Metal Max Returns is basically the NES original but with a fresh coat of paint—way better sprites, cleaner menus, and a soundtrack that doesn’t sound like it’s coming through a tin can. They also tweaked the difficulty so you’re not bashing your head against the wall every five minutes, which is nice if you just wanna cruise around in your tank blasting mutants without sweating too hard.

First thing you’ll notice? The world’s wide open right from the start. You can wander into some sketchy areas way underleveled if you’re not careful, but that’s half the fun. The tank customization is still the star—scrounging up parts, swapping cannons, and turning your ride into a rolling death machine never gets old. Just don’t expect a hand-holding story; it’s all about the sandbox vibes and weird post-apocalyptic charm.

If you missed the NES version or just want a smoother version of that grimy, open-ended RPG feel, this is the one to grab.