Play Gegege no Kitarou : Kikiippatsu! Youkai Rettou Online

I picked up Gegege no Kitarou: Kikiippatsu! Youkai Rettou on Game Boy Advance back in 2003, a time when licensed games were a real mixed bag. This one was developed by Dimps and published by Bandai, and it stands out as a solid action platformer that doesn't try to overcomplicate things. It fits right in with the kind of mid-tier releases that filled out the GBA library, offering a straightforward adventure without a lot of frills.

You control Kitarou, navigating screen by screen across a series of haunted islands. Your main goal is to rescue your father, Medama Oyaji, who has been captured; you do this by defeating yokai and clearing stages. Kitarou attacks using his detachable hair, which you can fire as a projectile, and you also have access to special yokai abilities that help in combat and exploration. The pacing is brisk, with some tricky enemy placements that keep you on your toes, but it never feels unfair. Moving through each area, uncovering secrets, and taking down bosses gives the whole experience a satisfying, methodical rhythm.