Rebelstar - Tactical Command is one of those GBA gems that flew under the radar, which is a shame because it's basically X-COM's scrappy little cousin. You get that same tense, grid-based combat where every move matters—one wrong step and your squad gets lit up by alien plasma fire. The missions start simple (rescue this guy, blow up that thing), but before long you're juggling limited ammo, weird alien tech, and squad members who absolutely will panic at the worst possible moment.

What I love is how it feels like a proper tactical game despite the tiny screen. You'll spend way too long agonizing over whether to take the high ground or risk a dash across open terrain. And yeah, the graphics are basic, but the sound effects—that crunchy GBA gunfire, the little "pew" of alien weapons—somehow make it more intense. If you miss the old X-COM vibe but want something you can play in short bursts, this is it.

Just don't get too attached to your recruits. They die. A lot.