Phalanx - The Enforce Fighter A-144 is one of those GBA shooters that looks unassuming at first—until you realize it’s packing some serious firepower. You start off in this chunky little ship, weaving through asteroid fields and dodging enemy fire that comes at you from every angle. The controls are tight, which is good because the later levels get brutal.

What’s cool is how the weapons system works—you’re not just stuck with the same pea shooter the whole game. You grab power-ups that change your attack patterns, and some of them feel ridiculously satisfying when you mow down a whole wave of enemies. The pixel art’s got that classic GBA charm, too—bright colors, big explosions, and these weirdly detailed enemy designs that make you wonder how they fit so much into a tiny cartridge.

It’s not the most famous shmup out there, but if you’re into retro shooters, this one’s a solid pick. Just don’t blame me when you get wrecked by the third boss.