Rackets & Rivals is one of those old-school NES sports games that somehow makes pixelated tennis feel intense. You pick your player—some are faster, others hit harder—and then it’s just you, a tiny court, and an opponent who absolutely refuses to miss easy shots. The controls are simple (A to hit, B for lobs), but timing matters way more than you’d think.

First match in, I got wrecked by the AI because I kept swinging too early. The ball physics are weirdly satisfying once you get the hang of it, though—like the way topspin actually curves or how a well-placed drop shot just *barely* clears the net. It’s got that classic NES jank, but in a way that makes you want to try "just one more game."

Also, the crowd in the background does absolutely nothing. They just sit there, motionless, like they’re watching paint dry. Somehow that makes it funnier.