Xiao Monv – Magic Girl is one of those hidden Genesis gems that feels like it got lost in time. You play as this little witch girl bouncing through colorful, slightly surreal levels—think pastel castles, floating islands, and forests where the trees have faces. The controls are tight, but some of the jumps are just punishing enough to make you mutter under your breath.

What really stands out is the magic system. You start with basic spells, but later you’re juggling fireballs, ice blasts, and this weird bubble shield that somehow works against giant floating eyeballs. The music’s got that classic Sega synth charm, all bouncy and slightly off-kilter. It’s not an easy game—some of those later bosses will wreck you if you don’t figure out their patterns—but there’s something satisfying about finally nailing a tricky section after a dozen tries.

If you’re into retro platformers with a bit of quirk, this one’s worth dusting off the cartridge for.