Guardic

Guardic is an action game for the MSX computer, developed by Compile, the same creators of the long-running Zanac series.

However, Guardic is unique from its more straightforward cousin (and other scrolling shooters) by allowing the player to choose stages, connected by a maze with a hundred of interconnected stages. Each stage is a not-scrollable single screen and had 1 to 3 groups of different enemies. The player is allowed to "buy" ship treats like speed, weaponry and special powers, before each stage, a departure from the traditional scrolling-shooter power up system. In the end of each stage, the ship could safely fly through a scrollable maze to other stage.

Guardic was not a hit, and this quirky shooter was never released outside the country of Japan. However, it did inspire a cult classic, the beloved NES shooter The Guardian Legend (known as Guardic Gaiden in Japan).