Play D-Force Online

D-Force is one of those SNES shooters that starts simple—just you, a helicopter, and a whole lot of things to shoot—but then throws in some weird twists. At first, it’s classic top-down action: dodge tanks, blast planes, and grab power-ups that turn your pea-shooter into something actually threatening (homing missiles are a lifesaver).

Then there’s the exploration mode, which feels like someone took the same game and dropped it in the middle of a jungle. Suddenly you’re dodging eagles and snakes instead of missiles, and the shoulder buttons let you adjust your altitude mid-flight. It’s janky but weirdly satisfying once you get the hang of swooping up and down to avoid attacks. Not many shooters let you do that.

It’s not the prettiest or smoothest game on the SNES, but there’s something oddly charming about how it switches gears between military chaos and animal-infested wilderness. Just don’t expect the controls to feel modern.