Solar Striker

Solar Striker is the first ever vertical shooter released for the Nintendo Game Boy

Developed and released by Nintendo in 1990, Solar Striker is the first Shoot 'Em Up released for the Game Boy.
 
The game has 6 levels ranging from space environments, atmospheric reentry, alien cities, wastelands, and finally the outer and inner core of the enemy's base.  Certain capsules will contain power-ups which will upgrade your firepower.  The first power-up collected will allow you to fire 2 shots at once, collect 2 more power-ups and you may shoot 3 shots at once, collect 2 power-ups again and you will fire 2 diamond-shaped projectiles which are the most powerful weapon in the game.  The game features dozens of enemy types with different attacks and movement patterns, as well as screen-filling boss monsters and mini bosses.
 
An remastered version of the first and second levels' background music was featured on several episodes of the Captain N cartoon show.