After playing some more Varth, I have to agree with Rob. Varth has a lot of good risk/reward tradeoffs that make it a good game for scoring. Also, I don't know how someone can live without pods past the first few stages
I don't think length is a huge concern for the game because the stages are short, varied, and action-packed, and the scoring seems pretty even throughout the game (can someone confirm there are no/merely a small end game bonus?)
Icarus: Only one of the Cave games is being picked Manic week

. I didn't really pick up on Dangun being a Cave game (even though I already knew it was one). I guess because Dangun was meant for Caravan week, and it's the most un-Cave Cave game.
If worse comes to worse, I can switch ESP.Ra.De for Raiden Fighters Jet, and put Thunder Dragon II in RFJ's place for the fourth week.
Also, if I was really being a favoritist, I'd wedge Mahou Daisakusen somewhere. Don't ask me why, I really like that game.