Shmups Shmups SHMUPS

**maxlords** · 09-04-2003, 08:21 AM

Well, as many of you know....shmups (aka shoot em ups) are the main type of import I buy. I wanted to discuss some of hte best shmups to import, and what systems are most worthwhile for shmupping purposes! And there's quite a few! Now here's what I fin as the best for the systems I have:

#1 Shmup system IMO: PC Engine/Turbo Duo!

I've got stacks of shmups for it, and the 16 bit era was my favorite ever, especially for the shmup genre! Some of my favorites are: Soldier Blade, Image Fight 2, Sylphia, Rayxanber 3, Download 1 and 2, and Lords of Thunder (which if you're hardcore, you can import!)

Second is of course the Saturn, most people's first choice. I mean seriously, how can you NOT want to play Soukyugurentai Otokuyo, Kingdom Grand Prix, Guardian Force, Batsagun, Donpachi, Dodonpachi, Sengoku Blade, and Twinkle Star Sprites, amongst many others. Sadly, also the most expensive system to collect shmups for right now, unless you only go for the most expensive TG16 or Mega Drive ones! Yes I ignored RS on purpose.

Third, I'd have to say the Mega Drive, with such classics as Gleylancer, Eliminate Down, Darius 2, the Thunderforce series, Battlemania 1 and 2, Panorama Cotton, Slap Fight and tons more! I love the style of Mega Drive games...they have the quinessential feel that I always look for...maybe because it was my first system for shmups.

Other notable shmupping systems include Neo Geo, FM Towns Marty (good luck finding the games tho!), MSX2, X68000, Dreamcast, and SFC! Got any shmup favorite systems? And for what games? What makes it WORTH importing shooters?

**Captain Wrong** · 09-04-2003, 07:50 PM

For me, it's gotta be the Saturn. I prefer the top down maincs, and that's king on the Saturn.

I'm also big on the Neo. Quality, not quantity.

**IntvGene** · 09-04-2003, 08:24 PM

Yea, I love the Saturn too. I don't have many shmups for my TG-16 actually.

I also like the DC. It's got a couple of my favorites, Zero Gunner 2 and Ikaruga.

It's too bad that they aren't that popular in North America... at least not popular enough for some of the releases to come out here. I was really impressed that Ikaruga came out though.

**GaijinPunch** · 09-04-2003, 08:27 PM

I actually located an FM Towns Marty, and have Raiden Densetsu, Tatsujin-Ou, and Excellent 10 on the way. Looking for a Rayxanber, as that's the only system it's come out on.

I've yet to try them out, but will be spending most of the weekend playing it.

**maxlords** · 09-04-2003, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by GaijinPunch

I actually located an FM Towns Marty, and have Raiden Densetsu, Tatsujin-Ou, and Excellent 10 on the way. Looking for a Rayxanber, as that's the only system it's come out on.

I've yet to try them out, but will be spending most of the weekend playing it.

Holy crap man! Let me know how you like it! And if you ever decide to sell it, I'd SLAY for that setup with those games! Seriously....I've been DYING for a setup like that!

**Dire 51** · 09-05-2003, 08:27 PM

With me, that's a tough choice... I'd have to say Duo first, then MD, Saturn and DC. After that come the PSX, SNES and NES (not necessarily in that order).

**GaijinPunch** · 09-05-2003, 11:59 PM

HEhe... sure thing Maxxx. I'll probably post some stuff on my site about it... mabye some vids if it's impressive enough. Speaking of, I just finished uploading the new stuff. Going to ride my bicycle up to the gym, and check out the Marty when I get back.

**Kid Fenris** · 09-06-2003, 01:21 AM

The Saturn's first on my list, mostly because of Radiant You-Know-What, Soukyugurentai, Galactic Attack, Batsugun, Dodonpachi, and so on. Still, the Mega Drive has a better mix of shooter sub-genres, with MUSHA, Gaiares, Battle Mania 2, Lightening Force, and Panorama Cotton.

I'd like to put the PC Engine in third, but I'm really a big fan of the handful of first-rate Super Famicom shooters: Axelay, R-Type III, Space Megaforce, and Pop N' Twin Bee. I'd probably rate the PC Engine higher if I played more of its shooters.

And I should mention some great arcade shooters that never made it to consoles in Japan or anywhere else. Armored Police Batrider, Dogyuun, and Dangun Feveron are excellent, and Cave never knew what they had with ESP Ra.De. Or maybe they did, since they're making a sequel. But I'm still bitter that I didn't get to import a Dreamcast version of the game.

Speaking of Cave shooters, anyone here ever play Storm of Progear?

**Dire 51** · 09-06-2003, 05:41 PM

Storm of Progear is one of the few shmups I've never even heard of... got any pics?

**Kid Fenris** · 09-06-2003, 05:55 PM

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~bevhome/progear.htm

http://www.triggerzone.de/Infos_Pics...f_progear.html

Progear's a side-scrolling CPS-2 title from 2001. I'd like to try it, since a horizontal shooter is relatively new territory for Cave.

**Dire 51** · 09-06-2003, 06:00 PM

Ooooh, pretty... you know, I should check the resources before I ask for pics.

Anyway, that looks sweet. I'd like to try it myself.

**GaijinPunch** · 09-07-2003, 01:00 AM

There are some great Arcade shooters that never made it anywhere... specifically the ones you mentioned. Especially Dogyuun.

Anyways, Maxx, if you're too lazy to check my other post, you might want to go check out the video clips at my part. Made a nice addition earlier today... shmup related.

**jaydubnb** · 09-07-2003, 01:49 AM

For me, its the PCE. Lords, Gates, Download II, and Super Star Soldier are just a few of my many faves on the system. And I also choose the PCE because I havent played lots of shmups for other systems although Mars Matrix, Axelay, and MUSHA own by DC, SNES, and Genny respectivelty

**bargora** · 09-08-2003, 08:24 AM

Sega.

Saturn.

It's the thing I buy teh imports for. S1945II, DP, DDP, Gradius, Parodius, etc.

Since I got a new TV for the bedroom (have TVs gone way down in price in recent years, or what?), the old (1978) 19" has gone up in the attic, where I have flipped it on it's side for tate style. All of the import vert shooters (and Galactic Attack, too) play way better like that.

I have developed a fierce new love for Strikers 1945 II since turning to vertical.

I would collect PCE, too, but I have enough addictions for the moment, and I am taking a breather to play the pile of games I've acquired.

**Jive3D** · 10-17-2003, 02:33 PM

EINHANDER (PSone)
Gradius Galaxies (gba)
Ikaruga (DC & GC)
Raiden Project (PSone)
and that game that my sig is modelled after, even though i dont think anyone has ever heard of it.

**Sotenga** · 10-17-2003, 04:34 PM

...

Did you say... shmups?

PC ENGINE IS TEH ROOL!!!!! Time to play some Blazing Lazers!!!!!

**ubersaurus** · 11-28-2003, 11:26 PM

Well, I don't own the TG equipment and thus, can't count it. As far as best shmups go on console I have played, I'd give it to the NES. I love Recca, I love Zanac, I like the ports of other games like 1942 and Gradius, and you've got Life Force, and my beloved Sky Kid.
Runner up I'd say is the Saturn, if only because souky and galactic attack own the world.
After that I'd have to go with the old 2600. It's prior to the importing days though, so Dreamcast. Border Down is fantastic, and in and of itself is enough to say thats a top console. Add in the manic(read:throw too much shit at you) shmups like Mars Matrix, and the weirdness that is Bangai-oh, and you've got a hell of a machine.

I'd like to rank the genesis and its offspring CD and 32X units higher, but I've played very few on there. MUSHA and Sol-Feace were alot of fun though. Same goes with Neo Geo, although Andro Dunos, Alpha Mission 2, and Blazing Star are all solid.

**geelw** · 12-02-2003, 09:56 AM

duo, sat, sfam/snes, md/gen, nes...

the game boy (!!!) has some really cool OLD and new shooters (fire bird, battle unit zeoth, gradius galaxies, etc) but i can hardly play them on that tiny screen, lol...

**maxlords** · 12-02-2003, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by geelw

the game boy (!!!) has some really cool OLD and new shooters (fire bird, battle unit zeoth, gradius galaxies, etc) but i can hardly play them on that tiny screen, lol...

That's what the Game Boy Player is for!!!! *sheesh* :P

**kainemaxwell** · 12-26-2003, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by IntvGene

I also like the DC. It's got a couple of my favorites, Zero Gunner 2 and Ikaruga.

I just got copies of those two games and I love them actually. Ikruga's a bit frustrating seeing there's so many enemy shots and hardly anyway to avoid most them.

Any other good DC shooters I could try?

**maxlords** · 12-26-2003, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Kaine23

I just got copies of those two games and I love them actually. Ikruga's a bit frustrating seeing there's so many enemy shots and hardly anyway to avoid most them.

Any other good DC shooters I could try?

Notably:

Rez (PAL, Jp - much like Panzer Dragoon, better than PS2 version)
Border Down (Jp) horiz shmup from GNet
Mars Matrix (vertical manic shmup from Capcom)
Armada (MUCH ignored combat fighting semi-shmup from Metro3D)
Gunbird 2 (arcade style Psykio vertical...not bad)
Bangai-O (quasi-shmup from Treasure)

Other people (but not me) like:
Giga Wing
Giga Wing 2
Cannon Spike (shmup-like)

Can't think of much else off the top of my head. I HIGHLY recommend the stuff on the top section of the list

**kainemaxwell** · 12-26-2003, 03:39 PM

Thanks! Weird I'm playing my DC now more for the imports I dled more then for my other games I bought. I do plan to get Gigawing next time I'm at Funco.

**maxlords** · 12-26-2003, 09:00 PM

I personally hated Giga Wing. It's one of those manic bullet hell shmups. If you like em, you REALLY like em, and if you hate em, forget it. If you can, try Giga Wing 2, it's a better game overall. I don't like either of em. If you want a REALLY good manic shooter..get Mars Matrix

Anyway, good luck! I love the shooters for DC that I have! One of my favorite systems! I just wish there were more games

**Chunky** · 12-27-2003, 02:47 AM

Bangai-O is my fav dc pickup. but i have not stopped playing terra cresta 2 since i got it for PCE.
I guess i need to go pick up some other treasure games for the DC.

or some other pce games. I have been liking going xmas shopping just to go to the namco arcade and play the circle of 12 shooters that have.....always open, no lines!