Play Battle Formula (Japan) Online

Game Overview

Battle Formula (or Super Spy Hunter if you're playing the US version) is one of those NES games that looks simple at first—just another top-down racer where you shoot stuff—but then suddenly throws crazy stuff at you. One minute you're weaving through traffic, the next you're dodging tanks and helicopters while your car inexplicably transforms into a speedboat. Classic Sunsoft weirdness.

The Japanese original had this gritty, almost cyberpunk vibe before they slapped the Spy Hunter name on it. The music slaps, though—tense synth beats that actually make the highway chases feel faster than they are. Just don't expect deep lore; the manual probably had more story than the actual game.

It's the kind of game where you'll fail the first few times just figuring out what upgrades do, but once it clicks, you'll be sliding around corners like a maniac.