Play Punch King (E)(Supplex) Online

Punch King on the GBA is one of those weird little games that somehow nails the feel of arcade boxing without taking itself too seriously. You pick from these ridiculous, exaggerated fighters—I always went for the guy with the neon green mohawk—and then it’s just you, a tiny ring, and a whole lot of jabs. The controls are simple, but there’s a rhythm to it; mistime a punch and you’ll eat a counter that sends your guy stumbling back like a cartoon.

What surprised me was how much personality it has. The fighters grunt and sweat, the crowd boos or cheers at just the right moments, and landing a perfect uppercut has this stupidly satisfying *thwack* sound. It’s not deep, but it’s the kind of game you keep playing "just one more round" until your GBA battery’s dead. If you’ve got a soft spot for old-school arcade brawlers with a goofy edge, this one’s a blast.