Solar Striker was the Game Boy's first crack at a vertical shooter, and honestly? It holds up better than you'd expect for a tiny black-and-green screen. You're piloting a little spaceship that somehow feels both weighty and nimble—dodging enemy fire while your shots crawl upward at that classic Game Boy pace. The first stage eases you in with slow-moving drones, but by level 3, you're weaving through bullet patterns that make you tilt the handheld like it'll help.

The music's got that early Game Boy charm too—simple but weirdly catchy bleeps that stick in your head. And yeah, the graphics are basic (it's 1990, what do you want?), but there's something satisfying about how chunky the explosions look when you finally take down a boss. Just don't expect any power-up variety—this is pure old-school "one gun, don't get hit" energy.

It's short, it's tough, and it absolutely nails that "one more try" feeling. Perfect for quick sessions when you want to test your reflexes.