Nemesis/Gradius Arcade

As a foundational 1985 arcade shooter, this main game tasks you with piloting a spacecraft through relentless enemy waves. Its core mechanic is the unique power meter system: collecting items moves a highlight along the meter, requiring you to strategically choose when to activate the desired upgrade (like shields or lasers) before the highlight resets. This introduces a tactical layer to the fast-paced, horizontal scrolling action, demanding precise reflexes and resource management across its challenging stages.