Play Cosmic Cop Online

Cosmic Cop is one of those arcade shooters that feels familiar if you've played R-Type, but throws in just enough twists to keep you on your toes. You're piloting a space cop ship (complete with flashing lights, which is a nice touch) against the usual Bydo nightmare machines. The big change here is your main weapon—instead of collecting power-ups, you've got this brutal laser that absolutely shreds enemies... until it overheats and leaves you frantically mashing buttons while dodging bullets.

What really messed with my head at first was the scrolling speed. Push too far right and the screen starts racing forward, forcing you to either keep up or get crushed. The five stages each have their own vibe, from asteroid fields to some truly gross organic-looking zones, and the bosses are the kind where you'll die a few times just figuring out their patterns. It's classic arcade difficulty—punishing but fair once you learn the rhythm.

If you like your shooters with a bit of strategy (and a lot of neon explosions), this one's worth clearing some space on your arcade shelf for.