Seiken Densetsu (or Final Fantasy Adventure, depending on where you played it) is one of those Game Boy classics that feels way bigger than it has any right to be. At first glance, it’s a Zelda-like with swords and dungeons, but then you realize there’s actual RPG leveling, magic spells, and even a day-night cycle—pretty wild for 1991. The combat’s simple but satisfying, swinging your sword at slimes and lizardmen while figuring out which gear actually helps (pro tip: axes wreck armored enemies).

What really sticks with me is the atmosphere. The music’s surprisingly moody for a Game Boy game, and there’s this weird melancholy to the story about a gladiator escaping his fate. It’s janky in places (good luck with the spike traps), but you can see the roots of Secret of Mana here. If you like action RPGs with a bit of grind and a lot of charm, this one’s still worth digging up.