Ultimate Surfing on Game Boy Color is way more fun than it has any right to be. You start off with this tiny surfer sprite bobbing in pixelated waves, and at first it feels impossible to time your jumps right—but after a few wipeouts, you start getting the rhythm. The water animation is surprisingly smooth for a GBC game, with these little cresting waves that actually make you feel like you're riding them.

What I didn't expect was how strategic it gets. You're not just mindlessly jumping waves—you've got to watch for obstacles like rocks and other surfers, and time your tricks to rack up points. The controls are simple (just A and B buttons), but nailing a perfect run takes practice. My first decent score came when I stopped trying to show off and just flowed with the waves.

It's got that classic early handheld charm where the colors bleed a bit and the music is just three beeps that somehow become hypnotic. If you ever played Wave Race or California Games back in the day, this hits that same nostalgic spot.