Karnov.
Do you really like Karnov? I found it and Pinball Quest at a local shop for $9 combined and bought them during lunch. I am 5 hours from the end of a 15 hour shift today... I will never forgive you if it sucks. 
Also:
Thank you, sirhcman. I received Kabuki Quantum Fighter yesterday and it is pretty good... Tough as nails, though. I hope to reach level 3 tonight.
Oh, snap, I want to try Pinball Quest. I never knew about that game until reading about it many moons ago. It's the sort of quirky formula I love to try.
Anyway, about Karnov:
Every few years I regurgitate my praise for Karnov.
I absolutely cherish this damn game.
It isn't perfect, but it has so much personality and great item system that encourages you to *actually experiment* (creatively!) with the level design/obstacles!
For example, it actually is fun trying to figure out how to use the "growing ladder" and the wings and bombs and tons of other neat items.
Sure, many games boast inventories of "stuff"...but most games don't actually make it *fun* to explore and use all the damn items you collect.
There is tons of replay value once you are finished "exploring" all the levels, too, because you can focus on getting through each stage as fast/efficiently as possible (I'm not talking about a speed run, per se, but simply pointing out that the *pacing* of Karnov can easily shift to a quicker tempo...a lot of games don't offer this, forcing you to feel like you are slowly plodding through familiar terrain on replays).
I like the challenge, the music, the everything.
It's just fun and a slightly more unique game.
It's better than Hero Tonma, IMHO, and I like Hero Tonma.
I have always felt that Hero Tonma is the neutered cousin of Karnov.
You'll see what I mean.
If only Hero Tonma was more like Karnov (NES)! It could have been awesome.
