Shinobi on the NES is one of those games that feels way ahead of its time. You play as Joe Musashi, this badass ninja who’s basically running through enemy bases, throwing shurikens like they’re going out of style, and rescuing hostages. The controls are tight, but don’t expect it to be easy—some of those jumps are brutal, and enemies love to ambush you at the worst moments.

What’s cool is how it mixes things up. One minute you’re platforming through a dojo, the next you’re in this weird first-person throwing-star minigame where timing is everything. And the difficulty? Yeah, it’s adjustable, but even on the easier settings, you’ll still get wrecked if you rush in blindly. It’s got that classic SEGA arcade feel, just on the NES.

If you’re into old-school action with a ninja twist, this one’s a solid pick. Just don’t blame me when you die for the 20th time on the same level.