Rolling Thunder 2 (1990, Namco)

I don't know if there's much I can say about this which could add to its awesomeness. The artwork is exquisite, while the text is shameful.

MISSION

DESTROY NEOGELDRA

THE EVIL ORGANIZATION !!

"ROLLING THUNDER" IS THE SECRET

AGENT OF WCPO

SUPER ACTION GAME

CODE NAME: LEILA ALBATROSS

I think if an evil conglomerate were to name themselves "Neogeldra", they'd automatically be assumed as Japanese. The main bad guy's name would be Parn (he looks like a businessman, but is actually an alien with two additional boss forms including one that is just floating eyeballs), and his associate/henchmen would be Vrad (Vampiric football star), Syliur (effeminate whip-wielding cyborg), Davis (the token black guy), and Laura (half-mermaid with a trident and half-Japanese).

Mind you, our hero's code name is "Rolling Thunder" which sounds like a dietary aid, and the code name of his mission is "Leila Albatross".

I really can't add to the awesomeness of this image.

Aliens (1990, Konami)

Ripley's looking a bit less harrowed in this one. Lighter in hair colour as well. And not as Sigourney Weaver-ish, either. Nice eye candy, though.

Also, it seems like Newt's weeks of scavenging through air ducts didn't take any toll on that immaculate pink sweater of hers, nor the high-top pink-laced basketball shoes she's sporting.

Spinal Breakers (1990, V-System Co.)

You're an operator of an arcade. An easy gig; kids line up with gold pouring out of their unlimited pockets, ready to fill the gullets of your wallet. Your job: Keep getting new machines that you know they'll play. How do you know what's hot on the market? - You receive occasional flyers from promoters for their upcoming releases.

You're handed an ad for Spinal Breakers, a standard run'n'gun shooter. So, what is it about this particular flyer that catches your eye more than the others?