X-Perts on the Genesis is one of those games that looks simple at first—run, jump, shoot—but then throws some wild curveballs at you. The first level eases you in with basic enemies and platforming, but by stage two, you're dodging turrets, leaping over bottomless pits, and dealing with bosses that take up half the screen. The controls are tight, though, so when you die (and you will), it never feels unfair.

What really stands out is the weapon system. You start with a basic blaster, but picking up power-ups changes your shot completely—spread shots, lasers, even a weird bouncing projectile that’s weirdly effective against certain bosses. I kept switching just to see how each one handled. The music’s got that classic Genesis synth punch too, especially the boss theme.

It’s not the deepest game, but it’s got that "one more try" energy when you’re chasing a high score. If you dig 16-bit action games with a bit of challenge, this one’s a solid time.