Okay, so Sesame Street Countdown on NES is one of those sneaky "educational" games that doesn’t feel like homework. The Count pops up all dramatic with his cape, introduces a number, and suddenly you’re scanning the screen for groups of objects that match it—like spotting three apples or five balloons. It’s simple, but weirdly satisfying when you get it right.

There are eight different worlds, each with its own theme, so it doesn’t get stale. My niece kept replaying the circus level because, well, clowns. The two main modes are straightforward, but the bonus rounds are where the Count really leans into his vampire schtick, which is kind of hilarious. Kids won’t realize they’re learning—they’ll just think they’re helping a purple guy with his number obsession.

It’s not exactly challenging if you’re older than six, but for little ones? Works like a charm.