R-Type II on Game Boy is one of those shooters that makes you realize just how brutal old-school games could be. You start off with this tiny ship that feels way too fragile for the chaos ahead—walls of bullets, weird organic-looking alien ships, and bosses that take up half the screen. The first level tricks you into thinking it’s manageable, then suddenly you’re threading through a gauntlet of moving obstacles while enemies swarm from all sides.

It’s a direct sequel, so if you played the first one, you’ll recognize the Force Pod mechanic—that little orb you can detach to block shots or ram into enemies. The graphics are sharper here, and some of the stage designs get seriously creative (one boss is basically a giant floating eyeball that splits apart). Just don’t expect any hand-holding—this game will wreck you if you’re not careful with your power-ups.

Still, there’s something satisfying about finally nailing a perfect run after memorizing enemy patterns. It’s pure arcade-style punishment, but in the best way possible.