Star X on the GBA is one of those games that nails the retro space shooter vibe—tight controls, chunky pixel explosions, and that satisfying "pew pew" sound when your lasers connect. You start off with a basic ship, weaving through asteroid belts that actually feel dangerous (none of that floaty background debris).

The first few missions ease you in, but by level 3, you're dodging enemy fire while trying to line up shots on these weird crab-like alien fighters. The power-up system’s simple—grab the floating orbs for better guns or shields—but figuring out when to go offensive or defensive keeps it interesting. And yeah, the music slaps. That bass-heavy synth track during boss fights? Chef’s kiss.

It’s not just mindless shooting either. Some levels force you to think ahead, like when you’re escorting a slow-moving cargo ship through a gauntlet of turrets. Mess up, and you’re back to the checkpoint—no hand-holding here. If you’ve got a soft spot for GBA-era arcade throwbacks, this one’s a blast.