Play Dai Makaimura Online

Dai Makaimura (or Ghouls 'n Ghosts if you grew up outside Japan) is the kind of game that makes you question your life choices after the third death in the first level. You play as Arthur, the poor knight who never gets to keep his armor for long—one hit, and suddenly you're fighting demons in heart-print boxers like some cursed Valentine's Day nightmare.

The levels are packed with enemies that seem to spawn just to ruin your day, and the bosses? Let's just say you'll memorize attack patterns whether you want to or not. But there's something weirdly satisfying about finally nailing a perfect run, especially when you snag that double-armor upgrade or unlock a new magic spell. The pixel art still holds up too—those gothic castles and snarling monsters have way more atmosphere than most modern games.

Fair warning: this isn't a "chill retro throwback." It's the kind of game where you throw controllers (or at least sigh dramatically). But beating it feels like an actual accomplishment. Just maybe keep a stress ball nearby.