Battle Space is one of those classic Game Boy shooters that nails the simple-but-tough space combat vibe. You start off with this dinky little ship that barely survives the first wave of enemies, but after a few blaster upgrades and some desperate dodging through asteroid belts, you actually start feeling like a space ace.

The controls are straightforward—just enough buttons to feel responsive without overcomplicating things. Early levels ease you in with slow-moving fighters, but by the third sector, you’re weaving through bullet patterns that’d make a Star Fox pilot sweat. The pixel art holds up surprisingly well, especially when bigger enemy cruisers roll in with their chunky, screen-filling sprites.

What I love is how it doesn’t waste time—no lengthy tutorials, just immediate action. One minute you’re blasting TIE Fighter lookalikes, the next you’re threading the needle between two drifting meteors. It’s the kind of game you replay just to beat your high score, even if your thumbs hate you afterward.