NBA Pro Basketball '94 for the Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive if you're outside the U.S.) is one of those old-school sports games that somehow still feels satisfying to play. The pixelated players move with that classic 16-bit charm, and the animations—especially the dunks—have this exaggerated flair that makes every basket feel like a highlight reel.

At first, the controls take a second to click—passing is a little stiff, and the shot timing isn’t as forgiving as modern games. But once you get the hang of it, pulling off a fast break or swatting a shot into the stands feels weirdly rewarding. The Japanese version has some slight differences, like team names and maybe a tweak or two to the gameplay, but it’s still the same chaotic, arcade-style basketball you’d expect.

If you’re into retro sports games, this one’s a solid time capsule from when basketball games were more about fun than realism. Just don’t expect any deep franchise modes or online play—it’s pure, simple hoops.