EDIT. Though honestly, this layout would be much better for shooting games.
This layout is only preferable if you like playing with your index-middle-ring fingers (and there are lots of people who prefer it). I prefer to use my thumb-index-middle.
Shoot the Core! - Gaf Shoot em Up (aka Shooter/SHMUP) Reference Thread
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This layout is only preferable if you like playing with your index-middle-ring fingers (and there are lots of people who prefer it). I prefer to use my thumb-index-middle.
I started out as a thumb-index-middle guy, but have recently switched to index-middle-ring. That's why I prefer a six button stick, it's easy to remap the buttons to suit any style.
I thought I was the only one...
Now you are making me regret my purchase! Still, I've only got G Darius on PSN and that is kinda crummy there, at least on the HDTV.
Thumb and Index for me...and I rotate the entire stick towards me a good 20%.
For most 3 buttons shmups, I play with my 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers, but 4 button ones like Espgaluda I use my 1st finger for the 4th button. For SNK games I agree, the ascending 1-4th fingers stance works better.
No, not really in a rush since gaming time for me will be drastically reduced the following days. It´d be nice to read impressions though, I could always go for a quick shmup session.
Shiiiit, talk about a dodged bullet!
I got a lot of feelings about Ikaruga, man. Don't get me started.
If you think it'll be a problem, you can always go with the always-popular 6 button Namco PSX stick. It's not a bad stick, but it's not very good either. The imitation parts it uses aren't atrocious, but mid 90's Sanwa imitation are worse than stock parts in budget sticks these days. You can probably find one for $50 if you look long enough. The Tekken 4 stick uses the same parts, I believe.
They're gimped versions of the arcade boards in terms of presentation, but they're cheap as dirt and play well.
Well I´m not really against any button configuration in a stick, barring of course those atrocities in MAME Franken-cabs, so a cheap stick might accommodate my needs.
As for the Taito collection, for cheap enough I might consider it even with its shortcomings, like the subpar Backbone Capcom PS2/Xbox versions.
All this Taito Legends 2 hate is weird. Arcade versions of Gekirindan, Gun Frontier, Metal Black, Grid Seeker, Raystorm, G-Darius, Darius Gaiden. It doesn't have a tate mode, and that sucks, but 4 of them are horizontal shmups anyway.
And it's two fucking dollars at Gamestop.
And it's two fucking dollars at Gamestop.
It´s just that I have the original ports of half of those on PS1 anyways, but you´re right for sheer convenience and for just $2 it might be worth it, but it usually goes for >$20 around my area.
But when the next best version of the game is the $200 arcade board... I don't know. I get that it has problems, but it's still a hell of a way to spend an evening. IIRC the $50+ Saturn port of Gekirindan didn't rotate the controls when you entered tate.
Honestly, I'd buy the collection and then be fine with playing most of the games in MAME. Or a more modern version of MAME, I should say, given that the Taito collections are already MAME-based. Just way more options that way, from the HLSL filter to true low-res output to a massive range of supported controllers. More accurate slowdown, too, for those interested.
edit: G-Darius is probably the exception, though. I think that's still lacking music in mainline MAME.
edit: G-Darius is probably the exception, though. I think that's still lacking music in mainline MAME.
A Black Falcon
Member
Taito Legends 2 is amazing... until you get a rotated monitor/rotate a television for tate mode play, and realize that Taito Legends 2 doesn't have any such thing.
It is a great collection for all the games that aren't black-bars-only shmups, though.
Question for the shmup regulars:
Are there any "beautiful" shmups like Ikaruga out there? Something that's more than just killing enemies and getting powerups. I loved the black/white swap of Ikaruga and actually going for the combos in addition to the bullet hell. Anything else similar to that?
Are there any "beautiful" shmups like Ikaruga out there? Something that's more than just killing enemies and getting powerups. I loved the black/white swap of Ikaruga and actually going for the combos in addition to the bullet hell. Anything else similar to that?
I tate my 360 monitor and TL2 is still amazing.
Just killing enemies and getting power ups is beautiful, though.
ExitPlanetDust
Member
That's a toughie. I picked up my ever so slightly less than mint copy complete for a little less than $190 US less than a year ago.
If you're patient, you may find a complete copy for about that price. But it's a gamble.
Yea it's gnawing at me, might be best to wait if I'm this wishy washy. Thank you for the advice
UPDATE: Well, I finally climbed aboard the Hyper Duel train, caved and bought the spineless version after I got the seller to drop the price to 180.
Looking forward to playing the day lights out if it when it arrives
I feel that the aesthetics of Psyvariar 2 are quite exceptional. Zen shooting.
There are tons of shooting games with highly celebrated combo-based scoring systems and great aesthetics. So many that it's hard to just suggest one. Poke around the big arcade games in the genre. Rayforce, Ketsui, Battle Garegga, Gunbird 2... there are so many from so many different developers.
The most similar game to Ikaruga aesthetically is probably still Radiant Silvergun, which also has a scoring system based around color chaining. Not quite as elegant, though.
I'd also suggest, if you're new to the genre, to not worry about scoring so much and simply try to clear these games without continuing. If you can get into that (and that's pretty much the foundation of really enjoying games in the genre), scoring is a way to extend the life of a game. Assuming the scoring system is at all enjoyable, that is.
gunstarhero
Member
Akai Katana Shin stands out to me. That game is all about chaining combos... Same goes for Dodonpachi Resurrection, though to a lesser extent imo.
Battle Garegga is another one - but for some reason it's a love it or hate it type of game.
gunstarhero
Member
That's interesting to me - because I look at it as the opposite. I feel learning the scoring system is the heart of the game, and 1ccing it is a bonus. I rarely 1cc any of my shooters, and instead focus on scoring well and understanding the combo system.
Maybe I should stop sucking and actually 1cc something for a change
Wooo indeed. Mine just shipped out from Play-Asia. Silly shooting game incoming. I don't think I've even ever seen Muchi Muchi Pork in action, looking forward to it.
fatty
Member
Guys, I'm in the process of updating the OP with new shooters that have come out this generation. If there are any titles that I missed, OT's or individual posts that should be linked, anything that you think should be added, please let me know.
I'll be currently working on Xbox 360
I don't get to play these games as much as I would like, but really love the genre and want to say thanks to you guys who have been contributing and making me aware of games that I've wanted to purchase. Anything you would like to see changed/added, again please let me know!
I'll be currently working on Xbox 360
I don't get to play these games as much as I would like, but really love the genre and want to say thanks to you guys who have been contributing and making me aware of games that I've wanted to purchase. Anything you would like to see changed/added, again please let me know!
adversesolutions
Member
A few off the top of my head:
US releases:
Under Defeat (Xbox360/PS3)
Eschatos (JPN but region free)
Ginga Force (JPN but region free)
Mamoru-kun wa Norowarette Shimatta (JPN but region free on PS3 only)
Deathsmiles II X (JPN but available via Games on Demand)
Strania (XBLA)
Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets (JPN but region free)
Debatable inclusions:
Wartech: Senko no Ronde
Sin & Punishment II (Wii)
Gunhound EX (PSP)
Personally I think shooters are more than verts and horis, if it has a score attack mode and scrolls it could be included IMO.
US releases:
Under Defeat (Xbox360/PS3)
Eschatos (JPN but region free)
Ginga Force (JPN but region free)
Mamoru-kun wa Norowarette Shimatta (JPN but region free on PS3 only)
Deathsmiles II X (JPN but available via Games on Demand)
Strania (XBLA)
Muchi Muchi Pork & Pink Sweets (JPN but region free)
Debatable inclusions:
Wartech: Senko no Ronde
Sin & Punishment II (Wii)
Gunhound EX (PSP)
Personally I think shooters are more than verts and horis, if it has a score attack mode and scrolls it could be included IMO.
adversesolutions
Member
One thing that I was thinking would be cool is that after SDOJ launches, since it's probably going to be the last shooter of the gen, NeoGAF shooter threads should join up and do a top 10 shooters of the gen vote. That would be the gen that began with the Xbox360 but also includes all platforms since 2006 to 2013 when it essentially ends.
fatty would you be down to post the results in the op if we did something like that?
fatty would you be down to post the results in the op if we did something like that?
Me too, though I combined it with Project Diva F to save shipping, so won't see it for a while.
Didn't MMP vault into the shmups forum all-time best list last year?
Only the PS3 version. 360 has no US release, unfortunately.
fatty
Member
Thanks guys, I will eventually get to the other platforms as well and refer back to #1931. I still need to work on the bottom categories as well, so far I've got:
Of course! Sounds like a great idea.
Of course! Sounds like a great idea.
StarCreator
Member
Yeah, Trouble Witches Neo needs to be on there. As well as the Gundemonium Collection on PS3 (PSN).
To a lesser extent, there's also Sine Mora on XBLA/PSN (PS3/Vita).
Yep, definitely locked.
A Black Falcon
Member
There are quite a few more Japanese-only, region-locked X360 shmups. That's nowhere near all of them I think...
Also, in WiiWare, there's also Kyotokei, which is not listed in the OP post listing of WiiWare titles.
Also though, this is an obvious little error in one of the OP posts...
Also, in WiiWare, there's also Kyotokei, which is not listed in the OP post listing of WiiWare titles.
Also though, this is an obvious little error in one of the OP posts...
Uh, Space Invaders, Asteroids Hyper 64, and Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits Vol.1 were US-developed games that of course released here... how did you mess that up?
Whoa, I've completely missed that one! Must have been deployed when it come out. Is it worth it?
Also, OP, I don't know if your want to open the XBLIG can of worms but there are at least a few high-quality titles on that service.
A Black Falcon
Member
Is it worth it? Maybe, maybe not, but it IS only $5, so either way, it is at least cheap. I got it, and don't regret it, but come in with low expectations, for sure. Basically, the game is a European side-scrolling shmup with some Ikaruga influences. The game has two switchable colors (red and blue, here), chains if you shoot 4 enemies of the same type, and such. The game has only five levels, but they're reasonably long, so it won't be easy to finish (the game does have quite limited continues; you earn more through play, but that's a slow process). I haven't beaten it yet, myself.
You can tell that it's a low budget game, though. The graphics are basic 2d stuff, nothing fancy at all, and there are some issues, like how in single player (the game is a two player simultaneous title, nicely enough) if you want to keep the chain going for score, you will have to not shoot at some enemies; you can't kill everything with one person unless you break chains. Overall it's a somewhat mediocre game, but for $5, which is all it costs, sure, pick it up if you like the genre.
Oh yeah, the male character is player 1, and the female one is player 2; there's no selection, each one is just tied to each controller.
In addition to WiiWare it appears that a few months later they released an iOS version, but I'm sure the controls there are quite miserable compared to the Wii version's standard, and good, "sideways Wiimote" controls...
adversesolutions
Member
fatty when you get a chance can you add the following to the op?
Xbox Live Indie games worthing noting:
Revolver 360
Without a doubt the best XBLIG shmup.
Also, another shmup thread:
Grev thread
======================
So yeah I'm still playing Ginga Force. It's a great game but the grind to finish Story Mode on Hard can be pretty brutal. Be prepared to replay every stage from 10 to 20 times in order to get enough lives to last through the stage and the boss. If you have anything less than 10 lives for most of these stages you don't stand a chance.
Even the stages that are relatively easier like Stage 6, have absolutely brutal bosses.　In fact Stage 6's boss on Hard in Story Mode is one of the most violent, annihilative bosses I've ever seen in a shooter. It throws absolutely everything at you. It's merciless.
I've cleared through Stage 6 on Hard, just have 7-10 to go. Hoping I can do that tonight.
After Stage 6 you get a useful special weapon
that will probably help me get through the worst this mode has to offer.
Going to try to clear it tonight if I have enough time.
I mentioned this earlier but there is a distinct difficulty difference between Story Mode and Arcade Mode. Where Story Mode Hard can sometimes be a grueling, sometimes hopeless grind, Arcade Mode enemies and bosses have much lower durability so your weapons cut right through them. The only thing you have to watch out for is the brutal bullet patterns.
If you put in the time I think this is a relatively easy 1000 achievement points. I'd compare it to Deathsmiles IIX in terms of completion difficulty.
Xbox Live Indie games worthing noting:
Revolver 360
Without a doubt the best XBLIG shmup.
Also, another shmup thread:
Grev thread
======================
So yeah I'm still playing Ginga Force. It's a great game but the grind to finish Story Mode on Hard can be pretty brutal. Be prepared to replay every stage from 10 to 20 times in order to get enough lives to last through the stage and the boss. If you have anything less than 10 lives for most of these stages you don't stand a chance.
Even the stages that are relatively easier like Stage 6, have absolutely brutal bosses.　In fact Stage 6's boss on Hard in Story Mode is one of the most violent, annihilative bosses I've ever seen in a shooter. It throws absolutely everything at you. It's merciless.
I've cleared through Stage 6 on Hard, just have 7-10 to go. Hoping I can do that tonight.
After Stage 6 you get a useful special weapon
SP consumption -30%
Going to try to clear it tonight if I have enough time.
I mentioned this earlier but there is a distinct difficulty difference between Story Mode and Arcade Mode. Where Story Mode Hard can sometimes be a grueling, sometimes hopeless grind, Arcade Mode enemies and bosses have much lower durability so your weapons cut right through them. The only thing you have to watch out for is the brutal bullet patterns.
If you put in the time I think this is a relatively easy 1000 achievement points. I'd compare it to Deathsmiles IIX in terms of completion difficulty.
Interesting thing just popped up in an Xbox YT ad in Japan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXzI8HBqyL8
Looks like Triangle has a new Shooting Love coming out!
Shooting Love. 10th Anniversary - XIIZEAL & ΔZEAL -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXzI8HBqyL8
Looks like Triangle has a new Shooting Love coming out!
Shooting Love. 10th Anniversary - XIIZEAL & ΔZEAL -
JustAnotherOtaku
Member
Oh shit! :O Nice find!
I suspect P-A will get a listing up eventually—the thing is that Cave hasn't finished making decisions about the price and content of the Limited Edition and Super-Limited Edition, and (rumor has it) they're still trying to make a simultaneous international release happen. Amiami doesn't have listings up for anything either yet. edit: Neither does Amazon JP, which is probably the biggest tell that the delay is on Cave's end rather than retailers'.
NCSX is taking orders for the standard edition, but I'd just give it a little longer if I was you.
StarCreator
Member
I would hope Shienryu would be the majority of that cost. MMP+PS just received a budget-priced reprinting so isn't worth that much unless you managed a copy that still has the first-press DLC code intact and unredeemed.