Nihon Daihyou Team - Eikou No Eleven is one of those classic Game Boy sports games that somehow makes pixelated soccer feel intense. You're managing Japan's national team, picking formations, and trying to outplay opponents with surprisingly deep tactics for a handheld title.

The controls take a minute to get used to—passing feels a little stiff at first, but once you figure out the timing, you can pull off some slick plays. The sprites are tiny, sure, but there's something satisfying about watching your little striker weave through defenders and slot one past the keeper.

It's definitely a product of its time, but if you're into retro sports sims, this one's got more depth than you'd expect. Just don't expect FIFA-level realism.