US Version
BKR - 15,368,080 - Stage 5 Boss - Bolt & Nail (A+B+Start/Forward Formation) - MamePlus 0.147
Ffffffffff-
I had four incredibly stupid deaths this run. I actually woulda restarted after dying (twice!) in stage 3, but I had to leave after I was done that run, so I stuck with the credit. Of course, I perfect stage 4, then die twice again in stage 5 (before the midboss and right after!). Can't believe all the lives I lost were at places I normally never get killed, ugh. Went into the boss with 2 extra lives and 2 bombs to spare to attempt to loop, couldn't quite kill that last form.
Also, once you get good enough to seriously attempt to loop the game, you really realize just how many bombs the game gives you (that you almost have to ignore if you're trying to loop it).
Edit:
YAY!
JP Version (I switch between the two to see if there's really much change in difficulty, I can safely say there isn't really. Rank has more of an effect than anything.)
BKR - 16,625,500 - Stage 2-1 (didn't even get to the boss, lol) - Bolt & Nail (A+B+Start/Forward Formation) - MamePlus 0.147
Holy crap I was unprepared for the loop. Went in with only one extra life (the final boss was hairraising as I was just BARELY away from the 15 mil extend and I only just got it as he died, was very lucky during his last attack) I died once with a full bomb stock, then gameovered after panic bomb spamming. Gems fall faster, everything is nasty as hell (the large planes at the start of stage 1, oh geez). Can't wait to seriously put some effort into improving my loop performance. Also had a couple WTF dodges throughout the early portion of the game that I'm surprised didn't result in a death.