Raiden Densetsu (or Raiden Trad if you're playing the US version) is one of those classic shoot-'em-ups that feels like it was designed to melt your thumbs off. You start off with this tiny little ship that shoots pea-sized bullets, but after grabbing a few power-ups, you're suddenly tearing through enemy formations with lasers that take up half the screen. The music's got that early '90s synth-rock vibe that somehow makes dodging a million bullets feel even more intense.

What I love about this one is how it doesn't mess around—enemies come at you fast, and the screen gets absolutely packed with explosions and neon-colored chaos. The first boss is this massive flying fortress that fills the entire top of the screen, and beating it feels like a legit accomplishment. Just don't get too attached to your power-ups when you inevitably crash into something.

It's not the most polished Genesis shooter out there, but there's something satisfying about how straightforward and brutal it is. You'll either beat it in one sitting or spend an entire afternoon swearing at your controller.