I'm weird, and I like this game more than its sequel.
I just think it's really charming for what it is, and accomplished a lot of what it set out to relatively well. I find myself going back to it just to experiment with different weapons in different places, and try out unorthodox strategies on purpose like running through Cut Man's stage with nothing but Hyper Bomb.

It's weird for sure, but it's a very solid first entry in this series and probably the best NES game to come out that year, if not the best game in general.

I would really like if score balls weren't an enemy drop, though....