Moon Cresta (Nichibutsu)

In Moon Cresta, players pilot a spaceship across the bottom of the screen, defending against waves of alien invaders in this vertical shooter from Nichibutsu. The core gameplay involves destroying these aliens while strategically docking with larger ship modules to upgrade firepower and capabilities. Initially equipped with a single laser cannon, successful completion of early stages allows players to connect with progressively more powerful two-stage and three-stage ships, ultimately wielding up to five lasers. Clearing screens rewards the player with the ability to dock with these new forms, earning bonus points based on docking speed. If destroyed, the player continues with whatever ship configuration remains—losing a stage only when that section is directly hit. Reaching 30,000 points grants a free game and resets the score, while completing eight screens loops the game back to an increased difficulty level. Two players can simultaneously control their own ships in this cooperative space battle, adding another layer of challenge as they work together to survive increasingly frantic alien attacks.