Insector X is a horizontally scrolling shooter. The Genesis version has a number of differences: "realistic" sprite work (compared to the "cute" style of the original), brand new music, a reworking of the secondary weapon system, the removal of the autofire powerup, and new stage sections, among other things. Hot-B's original design for the game was better realized on the Genesis, as Taito requested a more comical style of game for the original release.