Granted most modern shooters end up in a screen full of rainbow coloured bullets (though that said old school shooters were never short of a projectile or two.) But Cave has certainly grabbed Genki’s goat in going for a World War style of isometric background buildings as detailed polygon biplanes float into place having caught the eye with a neat bit of scaling. Plenty of on ground action as pilots fly their female characters through the on-screen onslaught. Superb stuff demonstrating Caves rich arcade heritage.

Reaching back into what feels to Genki like the near past in compiling three precious (and fairly exclusive) Saturn shooters in Cotton 2, Cotton Boomberang and Guardian Force. Cotton 2 exemplifies all the hit points that made the Saturn a mean 2D machine. Cute sprite graphics and good pacing. Boomerang is not a full sequel to Cotton 2, more feeling like a very slick update as there wasn’t anything really in need of correcting in the prequel. The controls have been revamped along with gameplay additions of a special charge projectile and the facility to switch between three different players. As such the energy bar has gone: each player now represents a life. The in game graphics have been given a lick of paint with some impressive effects hurtling the player into more on screen insanity. The presentation has also been spruced up with hi resolution cut sequences and an intro to give twitchy fingers a break. A true success saving the best until last. Guardian Force is a unique take on the shooter formula with players taking the role of tank driver to blast through enemy lines. No mere gimmick though: in a refreshing twist the tanks turret can rotate through 360 degrees making it possible to pound enemy installations whilst making a hasty retreat. The simultaneous two player option is the icing on the pretty looking cake. A dream team compilation and a real blast.