Rampart on the Genesis is this weird little mix of Tetris and medieval warfare that somehow just works. You start by hastily slapping together castle walls in these awkward puzzle-like shapes while cannons blast your defenses to rubble. Mess up your wall placement, and suddenly there’s a gap big enough for enemy ships to sail right through—learned that the hard way.

Between rounds, you’re scrambling to rebuild, shoving cannons into any corner that’s still standing. The controls feel a bit stiff at first, but once you get the rhythm—build, defend, repeat—it’s weirdly satisfying. And the AI? Brutal. They’ll pick apart weak spots like they’ve got a personal grudge against your brickwork.

It’s not pretty by modern standards, but there’s something about the frantic panic of sealing breaches mid-battle that still holds up. Just don’t expect to win on your first try.