Ninku on Game Boy is one of those classic ninja brawlers that feels like it was made for quick bursts of play between classes—or in my case, under the covers past bedtime. You start off with basic jumps and punches, but after a few levels, you’re pulling off these weirdly satisfying spinning kicks and throwing shuriken like they’re going out of style.

The sprites are chunky in that nostalgic Game Boy way, and the controls are simple enough that you can pick it up fast, though some of the later stages get brutal. I remember getting stuck on this one rooftop level for ages because the timing on the enemy patterns is just mean. Still, there’s something about the way your little ninja flips around that makes it hard to put down.

If you’re into retro action games with a bit of a learning curve, this one’s a solid time capsule from the handheld era.