So, Ninja Gaiden on the Master System—yeah, it’s not just an NES port. Sega’s version has its own thing going on: same fast-paced ninja action, but with completely different levels and a fresh story. You still slash through enemies with Ryu’s sword, but the layouts throw you off if you’re used to the NES one. Some jumps feel tighter, and the bosses hit harder. Not gonna lie, that first stage’s music is burned into my brain.

It’s got that classic Ninja Gaiden difficulty, too—expect to die a lot before you figure out enemy patterns. Still, landing a perfect combo on a boss feels so good. If you’ve played the NES games, this one’s worth a look just for the weird alternate-universe vibe.