Ninja Ryukenden III (or Ninja Gaiden III if you're outside Japan) is the hardest of the NES trilogy—no joke. The US version got nerfed with continues and easier enemies, but this original Japanese release? Brutal. One life, no passwords, and enemies that just don’t quit. You’ll be clinging to walls, slashing through floating heads, and memorizing jumps over bottomless pits within minutes.

What’s wild is how smooth it feels despite the punishment. Ryu’s movement is razor-sharp, and that sword swipe never gets old. The music’s all tense synth beats, like it’s egging you on while you die for the 20th time in the same spot. If you’ve played the others, the new slide move helps… a little. Maybe.

This is the kind of game where you’ll beat a stage and actually pump your fist. Then immediately regret it when the next level starts.