Monster World IV is one of those Genesis games that slipped under the radar back in the day—probably because it never got an official English release until now. You play as Asha, who might look like she stepped out of a magical girl anime with her pink outfit, but don’t let that fool you. She’s got a sword, a shield, and a pet Pepelogoo (this weird little blue puffball that helps solve puzzles).

The first thing you’ll notice is how vibrant everything is—bright colors, smooth animations, and this dreamy soundtrack that makes exploring feel like a proper adventure. It’s part action-RPG, part platformer, with these little dungeons where you’re flipping switches, dodging traps, and figuring out how to use your Pepelogoo to reach new areas. Combat’s simple but satisfying, especially when you start unlocking magic spells.

Honestly, it’s wild this was a Mega Drive game—it feels ahead of its time. If you’re into retro stuff with charm to spare, this translation finally does it justice.