Puchi Carat is one of those weird little Game Boy Color gems that somehow turns block-breaking into something frantic and weirdly addictive. It’s got that anime aesthetic—big-eyed characters cheering you on—but don’t let the cute looks fool you. The second you start bouncing that ball, it’s pure chaos.

You’ve got this tiny paddle at the bottom, trying to keep up with ricocheting blocks while power-ups drop like candy. Some speed you up, others split the ball into three, and a few just wreck your rhythm completely. The music’s surprisingly hype for a GBC game, too—like someone remixed a shmup soundtrack for a puzzle game.

It’s simple at first, but then the stages start throwing curveballs: moving blocks, disappearing platforms, and this one stage where the whole playfield tilts sideways. I lost way too many lives to that one. Still fun, though.