I'm pretty sure I got the save feature working, though I don't know if three save files is acceptable.

Then again, the save features are for Casual Play only. Arcade and Caravan Modes don't let you save your game, for hopefully obvious reasons.

Two screenshots.

"Sir, is the Super Scaler effect really necessary for a cutscene like this?"

"I coded it, didn't I?"

...another fine mess you got yourself into.

I'd better stop sharing these cutscene moments. I'm almost there.

Don't worry, I backed up the other one, but I'm going with this for the alien spacecraft. Part UFO, part retrofuturist rocket, and only three tentacles for the tripod look.

Back in the old days, you could just flash between these two frames to make dynamic lighting, to show something's flashing in front of her.

I'm just gonna use the other frame to indicate the lights are on. No flashing required.

Well, finding glitches was bound to happen.

In this case, with a scrolling boss, the player's trapped on the left side of the screen until there's no solid block there.

I'd better fix that, THEN shrink the gap behind the boss.

...let's be honest, I'm a character designer, not a master of hi-res pixel art.

This is supposed to be the backside of a large alien spaceship. It looks too much like a giant escape pod with thrusters. I'm keeping the large tentacles, though.

Resistance is futile.

Whoooooa, we're halfway there!

...in terms of cutscenes.