If you've ever wanted to rewrite Japan's feudal history with a mix of battlefield tactics and political maneuvering, Nobunaga No Yabou – Haouden on the Genesis is your chance. You start off as Oda Nobunaga—or one of his rivals—trying to unify a fractured Japan through war, diplomacy, and the occasional backstabbing. The first hour is overwhelming in the best way: you're juggling troop movements, managing alliances that could crumble any second, and deciding whether to burn a temple or recruit its warrior monks.

The battles feel weighty, with terrain actually mattering (cavalry charging uphill? Bad idea). And the politics? Way more cutthroat than I expected—one wrong move and your "ally" suddenly turns their army around to sack your undefended castle. The pixel art holds up surprisingly well, especially the little details like ashigaru formations clashing on the battlefield. Just don’t expect a tutorial—this is the kind of game where you learn by losing a few provinces first.

It’s not for everyone, but if you like deep strategy with a historical twist, this one’s a gem from the 16-bit era.