Pure, frenetic fun from beginning to end. The twin-stick shooting lends itself to chaotic gameplay, and the omnidirectional special move encourages precise timing to turn certain defeat into a room-clearing counterattack. But what really makes this game shine is the level design, which provides a variety of tough scenarios, requiring you to constantly rethink your approach and develop a mastery of the mechanics. Some of the game’s best moments happen when entering a new stage only to quickly discover the sheer absurdity of how many enemies Treasure expected you to deal with.

This version of the game also has one of the more interesting combo mechanics I’ve seen. Getting a 100+ combo from a special attack opens a shop which allows you to redeem your combo for stat increases, extra health, or extra points. And let me assure you, nothing feels more badass than working up a massive combo, telling the game “What, you think I need stats? Gimme the points,” then seeing the comically oversized message displaying how many tens of thousands of points you’ve earned.

And at the end of it all, the final boss pulls off a move so admittedly simple, yet so awesomely unexpected and punishing that it must be played to be believed. Honestly, the only aspect of this game I can’t gush about is that it’s a twin-stick shooter on a console with one stick. Not a problem emulation can’t solve though, which you’ll probably need to play this game at all.