Thunder Blade on the Sega Master System is one of those games that makes you feel like you're barely holding onto control—in the best way possible. You're dumped straight into a chopper with way too much firepower, weaving between skyscrapers while missiles and bullets fly everywhere. The first time I played, I crashed into a building within seconds because I was too busy trying to shoot everything that moved.

It’s got that classic arcade chaos—some levels scroll forward, others put you in this weird pseudo-3D mode where enemies come at you from all angles. The controls take a second to click, but once they do, it’s pure adrenaline. And yeah, the graphics were mind-blowing for their time, even if they look a little rough now. Still, there’s something satisfying about barely surviving a level with your helicopter smoking and alarms blaring.

If you’re into old-school shooters that don’t hold your hand, this one’s a blast—just don’t expect to beat it on your first try.