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What is your favorite Schmup?
- Thread starter West Texas CEO
- Start date
Miles708
Member
Some solid recommendations here. Kudos to op for Thunderforce, that's apex horizontal shoot'em up, sorry everyone else.
I suggest you to play Under Defeat as soon as possible, it is a fantastic vertical shoot'em up from G.Rev, also had an HD remaster.
Other than that, I'd say Border Down,always from G.Rev
I suggest you to play Under Defeat as soon as possible, it is a fantastic vertical shoot'em up from G.Rev, also had an HD remaster.
Other than that, I'd say Border Down,always from G.Rev
kurisu_1974
Member
GymWolf
Member
I liked because it was different from the usual dull looking aliens.Darius has had fish enemies and underwater levels since 1987
Kiya's Guard
Member
Ooooh I played it on the vita, it was quite nice!
Resogun
crackajack
Member
Resogun might be the only one I ever liked. Unless Twin Stick is also considered. There I like pretty much all I played. Cygni could be great.
Malachai
Member
My Switch is pretty much a shmup machine at this point, favourites being Crimson Clover, Eschatos, Rolling Gunner and Mushihimesama.
Was seriously tempted to get Esp.ra.de on import when it released in Japan but couldn't be bothered with the hassle so finger's crossed it gets a western release.
Was seriously tempted to get Esp.ra.de on import when it released in Japan but couldn't be bothered with the hassle so finger's crossed it gets a western release.
jufonuk
not tag worthy
BlackTron
Member
I've been a rabid Ikaruga guy ever since first discovering it on Dreamcast but I really haven't played too many shmups. I'm seeing all the titles in this thread and it's really tempting to try them on my new CRT. I mean I've dabbled with a bunch but Ikaruga is the only one I've finished.
Don't say schmups, I come from a Jewish background and that shit gives my family a bad name lmao.
Don't say schmups, I come from a Jewish background and that shit gives my family a bad name lmao.
BigDeadFreak
Member
For some reason I could never get into horizontal scrolling shooters. However, I recently completed Gley Lancer on the Mega Drive and I'm now a convert. I think it's because it's pretty easy so it allowed me to get used to the style. Before that I'd always loved vertical scrolling games.
Gley Lancer
Eliminate Down
RayForce
Battle Garegga
Radiant Silvergun
Gley Lancer
Eliminate Down
RayForce
Battle Garegga
Radiant Silvergun
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MudoSkills
Volcano High Alumnus (Cum Laude)
It's a good time to be a shmup fan - lots of older titles are getting ported to modern consoles and M2 are putting out great compilations in Japan.
Just to offer something different to the answers we've had already, Cotton Reboot is a good time, and an easier entry point than a lot of other recommendations.
Just to offer something different to the answers we've had already, Cotton Reboot is a good time, and an easier entry point than a lot of other recommendations.
John Wick
Member
River Raid on Atari VCS? One of my first experiences. That and Crystal Castles and Pitfall. Those were great times.
Big Baller
Al Pachinko, Konami President
Parodius
John Wick
Member
Blood Money and Xenon 2. Good old times on the Amiga. That Megablast soundtrack is my ringtone. Gorf I remember playing too. It was a cartridge but can't remember what system it was for lol.
Operations66
Banned
Thunder Force III and MUSHA were my favorites. The Genesis was an awesome console for shooters.
Little Chicken
Banned
How did I forget Gynoug/Wings of Wor.
Unique baroque/steampunk/horror theme aesthetic, got rereleased recently
The famous phallic boss
Unique baroque/steampunk/horror theme aesthetic, got rereleased recently
The famous phallic boss
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Vindicator
Member
Some non-japanese Shmups (a few clones ofc):
Agony
Disposable Hero
Project-X
Battle Squadron
Z-Out
Lethal Xcess
The Oath
Katakis
Starrush
Uridium 2
e: another japanese one, Cho Aniki on PC-Engine, has some Gynoug vibes
Agony
Disposable Hero
Project-X
Battle Squadron
Z-Out
Lethal Xcess
The Oath
Katakis
Starrush
Uridium 2
e: another japanese one, Cho Aniki on PC-Engine, has some Gynoug vibes
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SportsFan581
Member
What is a schmup? Or is it interchangeable with a shmup?
fart town usa
Member
BE ATTITUDE FOR GAINS...
Radiant Silvergun but only because of the music, I'm not very good at the game.
Not overly familiar with actual names but I love the shmup genre, so much fun.
Radiant Silvergun but only because of the music, I'm not very good at the game.
Not overly familiar with actual names but I love the shmup genre, so much fun.
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fart town usa
Member
Soukyugurentai No one made a better shooter than RAIZING and for a good laugh play the PS version and feel the power of Saturn's VDP2's
NeoIkaruGAF
Gold Member
I’ve come to love the genre these last years, what with AAA going more and more towards so many systems and subsystems and bloat. Shmups are simple to pick up, hard to master, fat-free, aka the best form of video game there is.
Ikaruga is the one I spent the most time on. I was obsessed with the game, for a while I was number one on the local official GameCube online ranking (but of course there were better players, it’s just they didn’t play on GC or didn’t bother to register their scores). The game is a masterpiece, every frame of it is carefully designed. The music, the bullets, every enemy wave is in synch to make up this perfect puzzle shooter. This is game design at its finest.
Mushihimesama is another masterpiece of a game. The very premise of a shooter set in the world of bugs is incredible, but the realization… wow. Everything in the game is insane - the sprites, the colors, the details, the setpieces.
Lords/Winds of Thunder is a criminally forgotten game. Very hard but not ludicrously so, very creative, absolutely relentless but always rewarding. The soundtrack is totally crazy, too.
Thunderforce is a great series altogether, but I have a soft spot for the first game. It’s available on the Switch and it’s fantastic. The best thing about it is probably that it’s perfectly balanced - I wish Konami could make their shooters like this. The absurd difficulty is why no Gradius game will make my list, even if they’re spectacular.
On the PC-Engine, Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire is another forgotten gem. The game does crazy things for the hardware it runs on, and it’s phenomenal.
Ikaruga is the one I spent the most time on. I was obsessed with the game, for a while I was number one on the local official GameCube online ranking (but of course there were better players, it’s just they didn’t play on GC or didn’t bother to register their scores). The game is a masterpiece, every frame of it is carefully designed. The music, the bullets, every enemy wave is in synch to make up this perfect puzzle shooter. This is game design at its finest.
Mushihimesama is another masterpiece of a game. The very premise of a shooter set in the world of bugs is incredible, but the realization… wow. Everything in the game is insane - the sprites, the colors, the details, the setpieces.
Lords/Winds of Thunder is a criminally forgotten game. Very hard but not ludicrously so, very creative, absolutely relentless but always rewarding. The soundtrack is totally crazy, too.
Thunderforce is a great series altogether, but I have a soft spot for the first game. It’s available on the Switch and it’s fantastic. The best thing about it is probably that it’s perfectly balanced - I wish Konami could make their shooters like this. The absurd difficulty is why no Gradius game will make my list, even if they’re spectacular.
On the PC-Engine, Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire is another forgotten gem. The game does crazy things for the hardware it runs on, and it’s phenomenal.
NeoIkaruGAF
Gold Member
Radiant Silvergun is outstanding, but to play it the right way too much dedication is needed. Leveling up the weapons is a game within the game. But the bosses and design are excellent - Xiga is possibly the craziest thing Treasure ever pulled off, and that’s saying something. Pity about the godawful animu characters.
fart town usa
Member
Yea, I always play it with unlimited continues. I try my best, ha, but yea, it's tough.
The Saturn version is so damn impressive, so much stuff going on the screen and the pixel art on the 3D models is absolutely gorgeous. Programming wizardry.
Eddie-Griffin
Banned
Mostly played on Atari 800|400 5200, C64, Arcades.
TwiztidElf
Member
Ah yeah, one of the posts above reminded me. Blazing Lazers / GunHed on the PC Engine. Absolutely glorious shmup.
Magic Carpet
Gold Member
John Wick
Member
Shit yeah Gunhed was unreal on PC Engine.
Xexex was class as well in the arcade.
midnightAI
Banned
takes me back to a time when there were amusement arcades in the town I grew up in (one is still there but slot machines only)
Anyway, faves include:
Darius (original 3 screen wide)
R-Type
Zero Wing
Fighting Hawk
Dragon Breed
Prehistoric Isle
P47
Saint Dragon
Xexex
Hybris (Amiga)
Battle Squadron (Amiga)
Anyway, faves include:
Darius (original 3 screen wide)
R-Type
Zero Wing
Fighting Hawk
Dragon Breed
Prehistoric Isle
P47
Saint Dragon
Xexex
Hybris (Amiga)
Battle Squadron (Amiga)
cireza
Member
COMPILE Forever.
Favorite shmup is GG Aleste 2. Mind-blowing game for the Game Gear. First game is great as well. And the two Power Strike games on Master System.
M2 actually made GG Aleste 3 for Game Gear and released it a couple years ago. A masterpiece.
Of course anything COMPILE made is pure gold. I love Robo Aleste on SEGA-CD, and the PCE and MegaDrive games are awesome as well.
Gley Lancer is another favorite on MegaDrive. Bari Arm is pretty good on SEGA-CD. Lords of Thunder ! SEGA-CD/PCE.
Otherwise I really enjoyed Dreamcast shmups, especially Shikigami no Shiro 2 and Psyvariar 2. Soukyugurentai is a winner on Saturn. Also Psikyo games, such as Strikers 1945 and Sengoku Blade. Cannon Spike !
Favorite shmup is GG Aleste 2. Mind-blowing game for the Game Gear. First game is great as well. And the two Power Strike games on Master System.
M2 actually made GG Aleste 3 for Game Gear and released it a couple years ago. A masterpiece.
Of course anything COMPILE made is pure gold. I love Robo Aleste on SEGA-CD, and the PCE and MegaDrive games are awesome as well.
Gley Lancer is another favorite on MegaDrive. Bari Arm is pretty good on SEGA-CD. Lords of Thunder ! SEGA-CD/PCE.
Otherwise I really enjoyed Dreamcast shmups, especially Shikigami no Shiro 2 and Psyvariar 2. Soukyugurentai is a winner on Saturn. Also Psikyo games, such as Strikers 1945 and Sengoku Blade. Cannon Spike !
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SF Kosmo
Al Jazeera Special Reporter
M2 is also starting to put out some original stuff, like the Aleste games.
Probably most exciting, they have a pseudo-sequel to Ikaruga in the works, developed by the creator Ikaruga/Radiant Silvergun, Hiroshi Iuchi. It has been in development as a sort of side project but now it appears to be in full production and playable beginning to end.
VGEsoterica
Member
Tobe! Polystars
West Texas CEO
GAF's Nicest Lunch Thief and Nosiest Dildo Archeologist
yeah, the 'c' is silent.
AndrewRyan
Member
If we're including twin-stick shooters, Nex Machina is king. Lately my favorite shumps are:
Shoot 1Up DX
Bleed/Bleed 2
Jets N Guns 2
Shoot 1Up DX
Bleed/Bleed 2
Jets N Guns 2
AndrewRyan
Member
My Switch SHUMPs
