Shark Tale on the GBA is one of those early 2000s movie tie-ins that somehow ended up being way more fun than it had any right to be. You play as Oscar, the little fish who talks big, swimming through coral reefs and dodging sharks in side-scrolling levels that actually feel pretty smooth for a handheld game.

The controls are simple—just swim, dash, and occasionally smack enemies with a well-timed tail whip—but there’s something satisfying about weaving through seaweed and collecting pearls while the soundtrack pumps out those underwater vibes. Some of the later levels get surprisingly tricky, especially when you’re trying to outrun a certain grumpy shark.

It’s not exactly a deep experience, but if you’re into retro platformers or just miss that era of GBA games, this one’s a solid time-waster. The sprite work still holds up, too—Oscar’s smug little face is weirdly charming.