Play Shikakui Atama o Maruku Suru. Advance : Kokugo Sansuu Online

Ever stumble across a game that makes you go, "Wait, why wasn't this more popular?" That's Shikakui Atama o Maruku Suru. Advance for me. It's this unassuming little GBA cart that sneaks Japanese language puzzles and math problems into something that feels more like a game than homework. The first time I booted it up, I expected dry drills—instead, I got these bite-sized challenges that somehow trick you into wanting "just one more" before putting it down.

It's got that early 2000s handheld vibe—simple menus, no fluff, just you versus increasingly clever word and number puzzles. Some are straightforward (match the kanji readings), others twist your brain in weirdly satisfying ways (like filling grids with correct equations). I kept catching myself muttering, "Oh, that's clever," at the screen. If you've ever missed the days when edutainment didn't feel like a chore, this one's a quiet winner. Plus, it fits right in your pocket—perfect for bus rides or pretending to be productive during lunch breaks.