The game - Twinkle Star Sprites - Neo Geo | NG

The game plays primarily as a vertically scrolling shooter where you control your avatar and try to shoot and avoid enemies. The difference in this game is that each player has their own play area, a la Puyo Puyo, and enemies deal splash damage around them when they are shot. Thus, a chain of destruction of several enemies creates a combo that makes an attack against your opponent. These moves can range from targeted fireballs to special moves unique to each character to summoning special "boss" characters that the other player must destroy before continuing.