These are all good points to consider, thank you.
I do think I'm going to stick with the pixel visuals, I think I was just starting to get a little frustrated with the intricacies of getting pixel sprites to look clean and readable.

Thats a big part of my thinking so far. Especially considering how I'm trying to lean into a vaguely 16bit era nostalgia vibe for the gameplay already.

Thats a fair idea. So far ive been modeling things based on Gunstar Heroes and Metal Slug (mostly the former)

Thank you! Just a matter of gradually inching forward, bit by bit, lol

Thanks!

yup. I can handle 6 keys no problem. Its just that one combination that doesn't work for some strange reason.
(this keyboard is also getting old too, 10 years or so, so maybe its just showing its age)

Weird thing is it's just this specific combination.
holding L and J, and for some reason A (and only A) doesn't register