Play Hellfire (Europe) Online

Hellfire on the Genesis is one of those shooters that feels like it's actively trying to melt your CRT. You pilot this sleek ship through waves of enemies, but here's the kicker—your main weapon rotates in four directions. At first I kept forgetting to switch fire angles and got wrecked, but once it clicks, weaving through bullet patterns while flipping your attack direction feels surprisingly tactical.

The whole thing looks like someone bottled late-80s arcade energy—neon explosions, screen-filling bosses that unfold like mechanical origami, and this synth-heavy soundtrack that somehow makes dying 20 times in a row feel cool. It's harder than most Genesis shooters (yes, including Thunder Force), but in that satisfying way where every run teaches you something new. Just don't throw your controller when the third stage boss does that cheap spread pattern.

If you've played every well-known shmup and need something with teeth, this cult classic still holds up.