Play C.O.P. - The Recruit (E) Online

I picked up C.O.P. The Recruit on the Nintendo DS back in 2009, a game developed by Velez & Dubail. It was part of that wave of titles trying to bring a more mature, open-world feel to the handheld, something ambitious for the hardware at the time. You play as a rookie cop thrown into a crime-riddled version of New York City, and the whole thing has this earnest, slightly rough-around-the-edges charm that feels very much of its era.

You control Dan Miles, a new officer, and your main goal is to solve a sprawling conspiracy by taking down criminal operations across the city. The gameplay mixes on-foot investigation with driving sections; you'll search crime scenes for clues, chase suspects through crowded streets, and engage in shootouts. One of the signature mechanics uses the DS's touch screen to pick locks or hack systems, while another has you tilting the system to steer during high-speed car pursuits. The pacing is uneven at times, with some missions feeling repetitive, but there's a tangible sense of progress as you close cases. It feels like a scrappy, hands-on attempt to live out a street-level cop drama right in your hands.