Wave Race on the Game Boy is a stripped-down but surprisingly fun take on jet ski racing. You’ve got a few different event types—straight-up races, slalom courses where you weave between buoys, and this weird stunt mode that feels a little janky but in a charming way.

The water physics actually feel decent for a Game Boy game, with waves that nudge your ski around if you’re not careful. Graphics are basic, obviously, but the choppy water animation gives it some personality. I kept messing up turns at first because I’d forget to account for the current.

It’s not as flashy as the N64 sequel, but there’s something satisfying about nailing a tight buoy turn just right. You can tell this is where the series started figuring out what worked.