Man, XXx on the Game Boy Advance takes me back. That first level drops you right into the action—no long tutorials, just you, some chunky pixel enemies, and this weirdly satisfying jump arc that feels just right. The music’s got that classic GBA synth vibe, all upbeat and slightly crunchy.

I remember thinking the controls would be stiff at first, but nope—your character slides into dashes and attacks like they’re on rails. And the sprites? Somehow they packed so much personality into those tiny, blurry little guys. You’ll recognize the boss designs instantly, even if they’re only like 12 pixels tall.

It’s one of those games where you’ll die a bunch early on, but it never feels unfair. More like you’re just figuring out the rhythm. By the time you hit the third stage, you’re pulling off dumb risks just because the movement’s that fun. Definitely a hidden gem if you’ve still got a GBA lying around.