Power Strike on the Sega Master System is one of those shooters that somehow feels both punishing and fair at the same time. You start with this dinky little ship that gets absolutely shredded if you blink at the wrong moment, but the power-ups? Oh man. Grabbing that laser upgrade or the spread shot makes you feel unstoppable—until some sneaky enemy pattern catches you off guard.

The first level tricks you into thinking it’s manageable, then suddenly the screen’s full of bullets and you’re weaving through gaps you didn’t even see coming. Boss fights are brutal but satisfying—memorizing their patterns is half the battle. And yeah, it’s tough as nails, but in that old-school way where every death feels like your fault, not the game’s.

If you’ve got a soft spot for retro shooters that don’t hold your hand, this one’s still worth firing up. Just don’t throw your controller when the third level eats your last life.