Updating this one as I've played through it again and my feelings are very different between 14 and 29. Honestly, this era of Midway is some of its best design work, with the enemy variety, sound design, and overwhelming number of magical bursts and explosions translating into an exciting experience whether in the arcade or at home.

It's one of the grindiest games ever made, but if played like an arcade game, in bursts separated by a few days per realm, it doesn't feel quite as long. And throughout, classic arcade design like rotating power ups and having multiple unlockable character classes, make the repetitive levels feel more exciting. Only the last two or three realms really feel boring due to their level length, but the challenging boss fights at their ends make up for it quite a bit.

I recommend whole heartedly if you can get some friends together to play as a team. It's a fun night!