Shatterhand

Fists instead of guns, robots instead of henchmen — Shatterhand is exactly the kind of honest, uncompromising action that has been unjustly forgotten. Studio Natsume poured all its skill in here and created one of the best-playing and best-sounding action platformers on the NES.

The cybernetic hero fights his way through enemy bases mostly with his bare fists, which gives the game a pleasantly raw, punchy feel — no shooting from a distance, but tough close-quarters combat. The game is hard and does not go easy on you, but the controls are precise and fair, so you feel your defeats as your own mistake, not a cheat.

The most inventive mechanic is the robot helpers. By collecting icons marked A and B in certain combinations you summon different types of robots that fly around the hero and support him with fire or a strike. The right icon order unlocks stronger variants, so it pays to experiment and build the most useful companion for yourself. This layer adds a depth you wouldn't expect from otherwise straightforward action.

Where Shatterhand truly excels is the sound. Natsume were among the absolute masters of NES audio, and this game's soundtrack proves it — energetic, melodic tracks that drive the action forward and stay in your head long after you turn the console off.

Even so, Shatterhand remained in the shadow of more famous titles and to this day is more of a tip for the initiated. It is a forgotten gem that everyone who loves tough, well-tuned eight-bit action deserves to discover.

Why play: An underrated, tough action platformer with an inventive system of robot helpers and an excellent soundtrack from the masters at Natsume.