Super Star Force is one of those NES shooters that feels like a hidden gem—probably because it never left Japan. It’s the sequel to Tecmo’s Star Force, and if you’ve played the first one, you’ll notice this one cranks up the chaos a notch. The screen fills with bullets way faster than you’d expect from an ‘86 game, and those neon-colored enemy patterns? Brutal, but in a good way.

You start off with this tiny ship that feels way too fragile for what’s coming, but power-ups drop often enough that you can actually survive past the first couple stages if you’re quick. The music’s got that classic chiptune energy—upbeat, slightly frantic, perfect for dodging a wall of glowing death. It’s the kind of game where you’ll die a lot at first, but somehow keep hitting ‘continue’ just to see what wild enemy formation comes next.

Definitely worth a shot if you’re into old-school shooters that don’t hold your hand.