Deathsmiles I & II (2021)

In the I & II collection, begin with the first Deathsmiles and its home Normal version, choosing the lower stage ranks. That version removes the arcade restriction on repeatedly selecting easier opening stages. Shooting left or right lets you answer threats from both sides, while the small vulnerable point matters more than the whole character sprite. The final castle is still a step up. Save Mega Black Label's extreme settings and the sequel for later; the collection is a toolbox, not one uniform difficulty.