Astropop

The 25-second clock doesn't start ticking until you move, so at the start of level 3 (the one with the free Hyper Brick to start with), examine the brick layout and find a 4x combo you can easily execute (that Hyper Brick you start with can itself count towards this, so you really only need to find a 3x). Every 4x-or-greater combo you complete spawns a Hyper Brick in the next row of bricks to appear (this holds for the whole game from this level on - the PC version of the game tells you this), so you now have a massive head start.

For best results, use Vector with a maxed-out SUPA Weapon (finish level 32 with him first), let it fully charge up during the first two levels without using it, and then launch it during level 3 AFTER you've made that 4x combo (NOT right at the start!). Once it runs out, finish up quickly, prioritizing Hyper Bricks, Super-chargers, and explosive bricks. (Lacking those, go for combos.) Assuming you don't mess up the starting combo, this is easily done on your first try (it worked for me).

A few notes: Any 2x or 3x combo spawns a Super-charger in the next line of bricks (for any level after the first), allowing you to make explosive bricks to end the level faster. Also, in case you didn't realize this, raw speed can link combos together - you don't have to stack the bricks in advance so that they fall in place. Remember the bumper buttons move the ship immediately to the edges - this makes using bricks at the sides easy to get to for combos.

Did this on level 3 with the first pilot. Save your supa weapon then use it at the start of level 3, then just go as fast as you can. The bonus bricks should help, managed it bang on 25 seconds after many tries. Good luck!

(Also tried and got close with the second pilot, the others don't have as useful supa weapons though).