Misunderstood Masterpieces for Every Major Game System

When it comes to your favorite game systems, everyone knows what the best games are. If you’re into Nintendo, playing Mario and Zelda games feels mandatory. And if you rock an Xbox, you need to clock a few hours with Master Chief in each new title.

But there are other games that often slip through the cracks. It may be because the title is obscure or the system is on its last legs. Ultimately, these are the hidden gems that keep us coming back for more.

That’s why we put together this guide to the misunderstood masterpieces for every major game system. Read through to the end to see if your personal faves made the list!

NES: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989)

Countless players bailed on the first TMNT game because of its notorious difficulty, especially in the underwater sections (damn those bombs and killer plants!). But when you put in the work, you’ll find this game is fun, detailed, and the most complex Ninja Turtles game fans have ever seen.

SNES: Actraiser (1990)

Actraiser has its fans, but many gamers didn’t know what to make of this title when it released in 1990. It’s one part Civilization-lite and one part hack and slash. Beating this game and its sequel requires you to master two different gaming genres, but the final result is definitely worth it.

Sega Genesis: ToeJam & Earl (1991)

Many Sega Genesis owners played ToeJam & Earl, but how many can say they understood it? It’s easy to get lost and turned around, and most players throw in the towel very quickly. But stick with the game and you’ll find cool world-building, hot music, and some of the most unforgettable characters and moments from the 16-bit era.

Game Boy: Donkey Kong (1994)

It’s easy to dismiss this Donkey Kong game because the first few levels are just ported from the arcade — something we’ve seen over and over again. But after that, you’ll discover an additional 97 levels of awesome platforming, hilarious animations, and nail-biting boss fights. It’s not just the best Donkey Kong game ever made — it may even be the best thing you can play on the Game Boy.

Sega Saturn: Virtua Cop (1995)

In a world filled with games like Time Crisis and House of the Dead, it’s easy to overlook the simple charms of Virtua Cop. But the graphics are iconic, and the gameplay (which rewarded you for doing things like shooting criminals in the hand instead of the head) made it feel more like an actual police simulation than a simple shooter.