Taikyoku Igo - Idaten is one of those SNES games that sneaks up on you—it looks like a straightforward Go simulator at first, but there’s this weirdly addictive energy to it. The AI opponents actually feel like they have personalities, from the overly aggressive early-game rushers to the patient old masters who’ll trap you in endgame if you’re not careful.

What I love is how the board just feels tactile—the stones click into place with this satisfying weight, and the grid somehow makes every move feel like a big decision. First time I played, I got wrecked by some samurai-looking dude who kept sacrificing groups just to corner me later. Brutal, but in that "one more match" way.

Not gonna lie, the menus are pure 90s Japanese text-dense madness, but once you’re in, it’s just you, the board, and that quiet panic of realizing your "safe" group is about to get surrounded. If you’ve ever wanted to try Go without the pressure of real-life opponents judging your terrible opening moves, this is the version to play.