
This might irk some people, but seeing as 2d shooters are absolutely frustrating sometimes and I am new to playing them seriously, I have a method to suggest to newbies:
Get emulators and use save states (save anytime in the game).. that way, you can quickly learn how it works + enemy patterns and improve your reflexes without having to go through parts of levels you've already mastered.
What do you think? Sure helped make me 1000% better in one day...
beat winds of thunder( the actual import SuperCD), Gate of Thunder's next

Red makes awesome shooters. Whassup with them? I know Konami just bought Hudson Soft (! Power duo)...
Gabe