Play Super Shinobi, The (Japan) Online

Super Shinobi (or The Revenge of Shinobi if you're outside Japan) is one of those Genesis games that just nails the ninja fantasy. You start off tossing shurikens like they're going out of style, but then you realize you've got this whole arsenal—ninja magic, wall jumps, even a weird backflip that somehow works mid-combat. The levels are all over the place, from neon-lit city rooftops to some seriously moody caves, and Yuzo Koshiro's soundtrack? Absolute fire. It's got that same gritty synth energy as Streets of Rage but with way more shamisen.

Fair warning though—this isn't some breezy hack-and-slash. You'll eat dirt a few times figuring out the boss patterns, especially that spider lady who shows up way too early. But when you finally nail a perfect run, flipping past bullets and dropping smoke bombs like a pro? Feels incredible. Still holds up as the best Shinobi game, hands down.