Man, Aero the Acro-Bat 2 is one of those Genesis platformers that doesn’t get enough love. You’re basically this circus bat (yes, a bat) flipping and spinning through these wild, neon-drenched levels full of springs, traps, and enemies that somehow feel both ridiculous and punishing at the same time.

The controls take a second to click—you’ve got this weird floaty jump that feels off until you realize it’s meant for chaining mid-air spins off enemies. Once it clicks, though? So satisfying. The second level throws these spinning platforms at you while fireballs rain down, and somehow pulling off a perfect bounce-chain to clear it feels like cheating physics.

It’s definitely harder than the first game, with some cheap hits here and there, but the new power-ups (like this dumb-but-fun bubblegum shield) help balance it out. If you’re into ‘90s platformers that don’t hold your hand, this one’s a weird little gem. Just don’t blame me when you get stuck on that minecart level.