Phalanx on SNES is one of those weirdly charming shoot 'em ups that starts with a bizarre cover—some old dude playing a banjo? Yeah, don’t let that fool you. Once you’re in, it’s all about dodging bullet hell in deep space with a ship that feels just heavy enough to make tight maneuvers satisfying.

The first few levels ease you in with basic enemy waves, but then the screen starts filling up with lasers and mines, and suddenly you’re sweating. The weapon upgrades are solid—homing missiles, spread shots—though I always end up sticking with the default because it just feels right. And that soundtrack? Pure early '90s synth energy.

It’s not the flashiest shooter on the SNES, but there’s something about the pacing that keeps me coming back when I want something straightforward but punishing. Definitely a hidden gem if you dig the genre.