Kyuukyoku Tiger is one of those old-school shooters that doesn’t mess around—you hop in a fighter jet, and within seconds, bullets and enemy planes are everywhere. The pixel art holds up surprisingly well, with explosions and weapon effects that still feel satisfying decades later.

What I love about this port is how it keeps the arcade’s brutal difficulty but smooths out the controls just enough for the Genesis. You’ve got a spread shot, lasers, and bombs to juggle, but no matter what you pick, enemies swarm you from all angles. Stage 3’s boss still gives me nightmares.

It’s not the kind of game you beat on your first try (or your tenth), but there’s something addictive about chipping away at high scores while memorizing attack patterns. If you’re into classic shmups, this one’s a must-play—just don’t blame me when you start yelling at the screen.