Thunder Force III is one of those Genesis shooters that just nails it—fast, chaotic, and somehow still fair. You start off picking from four different ships, each with their own weapon loadouts, and honestly, I always went with the Rynex because that spread shot saved me more times than I can count.

The levels flip between horizontal and vertical scrolling, which keeps you on your toes, and the soundtrack? Absolute fire. That first stage music still gets stuck in my head. It’s tough but never feels cheap—just the right kind of challenge where every death feels like your fault. If you’re into classic shmups, this one’s a must-play.