Whip Rush is one of those Genesis shooters that doesn’t get enough love—probably because it came out late in the console’s life. You’re dropped straight into this weird, colorful alien planet with a ship that feels just heavy enough to make dodging bullets tricky at first. The soundtrack slaps (seriously, those synth beats hold up), and the weapon upgrades are satisfying—especially the homing missiles that lock onto everything in sight.

It’s not the hardest shmup out there, but the later stages get properly chaotic, with screen-filling bosses and bullet patterns that’ll make you weave like you’re in a spaceship ballet. The pixel art’s got that classic ‘90s anime vibe, all bright blues and pinks against deep space backdrops. If you dig games like Thunder Force but want something a little less punishing, this one’s a solid pick. Just don’t sleep on the power-up system—mixing weapons right makes all the difference.