Raiden Densetsu – Raiden Trad is one of those classic shooters that just feels right—like sliding into an old arcade cabinet with sticky buttons and that faint smell of soda spills. You’re dumped straight into the chaos: enemy ships swarm in from all sides, bullets fill the screen, and that iconic chiptune soundtrack kicks in like a caffeine rush. The first few minutes are pure panic, but once you snag a power-up or two (the spread shot is my go-to), you start feeling like an unstoppable force.

It’s not just about reflexes, though. The levels throw curveballs—some enemies dive-bomb you, others hang back and snipe, and then there’s the occasional screen-filling boss that makes you rethink your entire strategy. The Genesis version holds up surprisingly well, even if it’s a bit rougher than the arcade original. If you’ve got a soft spot for retro shooters or just want to see where a lot of modern bullet-hell games got their DNA, this one’s a blast. Just don’t blame me when you’re muttering "one more try" at 2 AM.