Xenith

(warning: contains some flashing lights)

Survive 50 micro bullet-hell levels set over more than a dozen environments to face the final boss.

Player 1: Arrow keys to move, hold Z,X,C,V,N, or M to slow your ship down for maximum control

Player 2: ESDF to move and Q,TAB,SHIFT, or A to slow.

Pressing Q/TAB/SHIFT/A at any time will enable Player 2 to join at the start of the next level.

Standard: Survive each of the 50 ten-second levels. If anything hits your cockpit you'll need to restart.

Invincible: Experience the game without having to restart.  See how few times you can get hit.

Pressing Right on the main menu will take you to a level select screen. Every level is unlocked from the start to make it easier to resume a game or skip past any difficult levels.

Pressing Down on the level select screen will change game modes.

Pressing Left on any menu screen will turn off background music.

If you complete the game playing all the levels in order then your total number of restarts will be recorded on the cartridge as a high score (single/two player and each game mode count as separate high scores). High scores can be reset in the cart menu.

Aliens have invaded the solar system. A giant ship has been discovered beyond Mars, that is utilising a mini black hole to convert matter into energy to fuel their attack. You must stop them by any means necessary. You have the fastest ship in the fleet equipped with a revolutionary boost drive. You've got no offensive or defensive capabilities, but a path has been determined that will avoid the most enemies. It will take you through Earth's atmosphere, past the Moon, and deep into caves on Mars.
When you're boosting, you'll be invincible, but your drive only operates for a short time and will need 10 seconds to recharge. Just stay alive while you're recharging. I don't know what you can do when you get to your target... you'll need to improvise. But don't fail, you're our only hope.

Huge thanks to Krystman from Lazy Devs Academy for his excellent tutorial series that were instrumental in getting me through this game.

Also big thanks to SlainteES, Heracleum, SmellyFishstiks, FReDs72, Thelxinoe5, and everyone on the Pico-8 Help Discord.

And thanks to my son Matthew for his invaluable playtesting and encouragement.