Last Resort

Released in Japan on September 9, 1994, Last Resort is a visually stunning side-scrolling shoot 'em up developed by SNK for the Neo Geo CD. Heavily inspired by the aesthetic of R-Type and Akira, the game is set in a dark, post-apocalyptic future where players pilot the TZ-024 fighter to stop a sentient computer virus that has seized a space colony. Its core mechanic revolves around a versatile remote drone (Unit) that can be locked into position to act as a shield, fired as a projectile, or rotated around the ship to provide 360-degree coverage. 

While the Neo Geo CD version faces the system's typical loading times, it is highly prized by collectors for its superb arranged soundtrack, which replaces the arcade's FM synthesis with moody, industrial orchestral tracks that perfectly complement the game's gritty, detailed pixel art.