I really like score attacking the
opening stage, but yeah, scoring overall is busted. Even without milking respawns you could theoretically just lasso bosses over and over for 10pts apiece, though you would obviously go insane before long.

Besides the obvious milking fix, my ideal "Black Label" would make the timer
slow down rather than speed up when you're on a kill streak.
I guess you could get around milking by imposing a score attack-style time limit, though it's obviously not the greatest fix.
Despite the flawed scoreplay, I do still find the "stand ground" multiplier a lot of fun to rack up. It really underlines when you're completely thrashing a section, blasting everything to pieces without budging versus scampering and bombing for your life. Nailing an enormous end-stage item count gives no-missing a distinct satisfaction, too.
One of three absolutely essential SFC action games from Natsume, along with Kiki Kaikai and The Ninja Warriors Again.