Monster Maker - Barcode Saga is one of those weird, charming Game Boy titles that feels like it fell out of a time capsule. You scan barcodes—yeah, actual barcodes—to generate monsters, which is as janky and fun as it sounds. The sprites are tiny but full of personality, and half the fun is seeing what bizarre creature pops up after scanning a cereal box or shampoo bottle.

It’s definitely a product of its era—simple turn-based battles, cryptic menus if you don’t read Japanese, and that classic Game Boy green-tinted aesthetic. But there’s something oddly satisfying about building a team of random, glitchy-looking monsters from everyday items. Just don’t expect deep strategy—this is pure nostalgia fuel.