Gaiares is one of those Genesis shooters that sticks with you—mostly because it kicks your butt in the best way possible. You're piloting this sleek ship called the TOZ, blasting through waves of enemy crafts while this killer synth soundtrack pumps in the background. The first level lulls you into thinking "Hey, this isn't so bad," then suddenly you're dodging bullet hell from some screen-filling boss.

What makes it stand out is the weapon-stealing mechanic. See an enemy with a cool spread shot or homing lasers? You can snag their tech and turn it against them. Problem is, you've gotta get dangerously close to do it, which adds this fun risk-reward tension. I lost count of how many times I got greedy going for a weapon and immediately exploded.

It's tough as nails (seriously, stock up on continues), but there's something satisfying about finally nailing a perfect run. The pixel art holds up too—those chunky explosions and neon space backdrops scream '90s arcade charm. If you like your shooters with a side of punishment, this one's a gem.