Gradius

Gradius (Arcade) - Title Screen

An even more novel idea than introducing real enemy patterns is distinctive Gradius power-up system.

Makai Mura

Makai Mura (Arcade) - Title Screen

Despite the unreasonable difficulty, I’ve always felt a lot of affection of this game from the first time I saw it in an arcade.

Double Dragon

Double Dragon Arcade - Title Screen

Thankfully, Double Dragon does have an attack that’s practically guaranteed to get you through without too much trouble, as long as you get the timing down: The elbow smash.

Nekketsu Kouha Kunio kun

Nekketsu Kouha Kunio kun Arcade - Title Screen

It’s unclear how much inspiration was actually taken from other media, but in a 2013 interview director Yoshihisa Kishimoto said that the game reflected his own high school experience.