Robot Poncots - Star Version is one of those weird, charming little Game Boy Color games that never left Japan. You control these tiny robot creatures—sort of like if someone crossed Tamagotchi with a platformer—and guide them through bright, chunky pixel levels. The controls take a second to get used to (why does jumping feel so floaty?), but once you adjust, it’s oddly satisfying to watch your Poncots bumble around.

There’s a surprising amount of variety here—some levels play like puzzles, others feel more like action stages, and there’s even a weird mini-game where you feed your robot snacks. The whole thing has that early 2000s Japanese quirkiness, right down to the cheerful, slightly off-kilter soundtrack. Definitely a hidden gem if you’re into obscure retro stuff.

You can find it floating around on emulators if you know where to look.