Hi, and thanks for the kind words.
I decided to include a pause feature to give the player plenty of time to choose their preferred strategy based on the situation. I also wanted to try something different from the usual "charged shot" mechanic. Thanks a lot for the suggestions, by the way. Note: the October issue of *Zzap!64* magazine will include a much more up-to-date beta version of *Scartarix*. It will feature the title screen, the high-score table, and the first level, complete with graphical and gameplay improvements.
To try and address the control issues, I’ve added a new control mode I call "Inverted." The logic remains the same, but to shoot, you have to hold the button down (activating autofire); releasing the button pauses the game, allowing you to select a weapon.
If you feel like giving it a try, let me know if this setup works better for you. Cheers, and thanks again.