Galak-Z: The Dimensional

Though it has some unnecessarily frustrating aspects, this old-school, 2-D, side-scrolling space shooter also is engaging. On the plus side, the action is nonstop, and setting it all in a wide-open asteroid field not only makes it challenging to get around, but it also means you're not limited to a linear flight path and can actually do some exploring. You can even, in a limited way, use the asteroids as cover so you can sneak up on your enemies (though they'll notice you when you start shooting at them). It also has plenty of challenge, as there are numerous missions, and the game randomly selects which one you'll go on next. Unfortunately, the game can be unnecessarily rough on you. If you don't survive five missions in a row, you don't unlock the next five missions. And not only does your ship not get repaired between missions (even though you always go back to home base), dying causes you to lose all the upgrades you've bought since the last time you died. But if you're up for the challenge, Galak-Z: The Dimensional is an engaging, old-school-flavored shooter.