I do agree with ptoing on the matter. Having bullets that look like "real" bullets together with a slightly larger hitbox on a background of similar contrast can make gameplay tricky (Although Battle Garegga is a fantastic game). It's interesting seeing the comments and views on the artwork, selout, AA etc on the actual enemies. When playing a shooter for the first time, I usually checkout the backgrounds in some detail but not the ships (I don't know why that is). As long as I can see the ships and the bullets on the background, I've never really care for the ship details. This thread however has made me appreciate the ship designs alot more.
Still though...Gameplay first, ships sprite later...and if it needs a fat peice of AA, selout, odd colour mix to do that then it's cool with me. Now....let me checkout those Ketsui sprites....