A solid action game, one of the best for the SNES, but after all the hype it receives I was a bit disappointed. I don't think it innovates the formula enough and the sequel had a better flow to its levels (it also had the courtesy of giving you the dash right away instead of making you always begin with a specific stage). The buildup to the finale is the best of the trilogy, as is the music, but the finale itself is just tedious. Lastly, I much prefer the more minimalistic visual style of the NES series to this somewhat bloated, more is more approach, but this is a minor gripe.