Oni II: Innin Densetsu is one of those Game Boy games that makes you wonder how they crammed so much ninja goodness into a tiny cartridge. You start off sneaking through bamboo forests, shurikens at the ready, and within minutes you're already getting jumped by enemy ninjas who don't mess around.

The pixel art has this rough, moody style that somehow makes the shadows feel dangerous—like you're never quite sure what's lurking in the next screen. And the controls? Tight. You've got wall jumps, crouching, throwing knives—all the ninja essentials. But don't expect it to hold your hand; some of those platforming sections will test your patience (in a good way).

What really sticks with me is how it blends action with these little moments of quiet tension. One second you're slashing through enemies, the next you're holding your breath trying not to alert a guard. It's got that old-school challenge where every death feels like your fault, not the game's. If you're into retro action-platformers with actual teeth, this one's a blast.