Ikari No Yousai 2 is one of those Game Boy gems that makes you wonder how they packed so much strategy into a tiny cartridge. You start off with this little fortress—just a few walls and maybe a turret—and then wave after wave of enemies comes at you. At first, it feels manageable, but by the third attack, you're scrambling to reinforce weak spots while keeping an eye on your ammo.

The pixel art has that classic, chunky charm, and the controls are simple enough—just move, shoot, and build. But figuring out where to place defenses? That’s where the real challenge kicks in. I wasted my first few runs putting all my turrets in the wrong spots, only to watch my base crumble in seconds. Trial and error is part of the fun, though.

If you’ve played the first one, you’ll recognize some familiar mechanics, but the enemy patterns and upgrades feel fresh. And if you’re new? Don’t worry—it’s punishing but fair. Just don’t expect to win on your first try. This is the kind of game that makes you lean in closer to the screen when things get intense.