Current Events > I'm developing a love for classic SHMUPS in the year of our Lord 2019.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I got a PC Engine a bit ago and one of the first games I fired up was R Type Complete CD.

Holy shit, this is the oldest games I can think of that is worth sinking hours and hours into. It's got me wanting more. It opened the world of Gradius and Thunder Force to me. And so much more.

I've always been aware of the genre as a bastion for the hardcore masochists. I had Ikaruga on GC back in the day and felt like I couldn't perform at the level that game requires you in order to have fun. I feel like you have to be a God damn video game virtuoso in order to clear that game without any continues.

I'm glad I've gone back to revisit the genre since it looks like I've got of a lot of amazing shit to look forward to.

R-Type is honestly timeless.

Do you have a Dreamcast?

Do you have Steam?
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I have a Genesis, Sega CD, modded Saturn, Dreamcast, PS1/2, PS3, PS4 Pro, PC, SNES, GC/Wii, Switch, XBox, Xbox 360, XBox One S, PC Engine, GBA SP, DS, and New 3DS.

My body is ready for all the shmups. I understand the Xbox 360 has a ton of excellent exclusive shmups. I've been told to check out Death Smiles.

What do you recommend?

Alien Crusader is free on steam
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Yup, Deathsmiles is great!!
I actually got the pre-order version that came with the faceplate. It was only $40.

Also check out, Akai Katana.

As for the Dreamcast, pretty much all of them...all..

Ikaruga..as you said.
Zero Gunner...straight forward and cool helicopter system
Castle Shikigami 2..just a cool game.
Radirgy...oddly unique.
Giga Wing...super fun bullet hell. Capcom at its best.
Trizeal...really fun when it was released, in 2004 actually had an online ranking system.

Under Deafeat..Amazing get it!! It's got some slow down, but it still great.

Sturmwind.....Get this game. One of the last Dreamcast games released and is beyond a sleeper hit!!

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Steam, I only have a few atm...

Crimzon Clover is awesome. But I got a new monitor and it isn't working with it. Still figuring it out.
Anyway it feels a lot like Giga Wing...imo

Hidden Star in Four Seasons...It has issues with translation. But it a very very well done game!!
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You. Guardian Legend. Now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmh6056U0Nw" data-time="

It's like Touhou and Zelda made a baby.

I've had a Turbo Duo for years now but it's so expensive to collect for I only have like 5 games for it... and two of them came with the system.

Thankfully 3 of them are shmups & one is a multi-game disc the Gate of Thunder (plus Bonk's Adventure + Bonk's Revenge + unlockable Bomberman) disc came with the system when I bought it, and I also have R-Type + Blazing Lasers for it. Kinda crazy how the "forgotten" system of the 16-bit wars was probably the best 4th gen console for shmups - as well as the most popular console of the gen (SNES) being arguably the worst major one for the genre.
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I bought Akai Katana already. :D

I'm really sensitive to input lag and motion blur in these types of games. I find them infinitely more enjoyable on my CRT than on my LCD.

The LCD motion blur makes Thunder Force 4 on Switch almost unplayable to me. :(

I tend to err more towards horizontal shooters like Gradius and R Type. Are the Darius and Raiden games worth playing?

Sky Force (2 recent-ish pretty good titles) PS3 / PC / Android

Psikyo Titles on numerous platforms like 2 Gunbirds, 3 Strikers 1945, Cannon Spike (twin stick, Arcade, DC)

Giga Wing (DC, 2 titles) / Danmaku Unlimited (PC, Android) / Dodonpachi (multiple titles across multiple platforms, some bullet hell

Raiden titles

Einhander, best PSX SHMUP

Sine Mora (PC, Switch) if you wanna slow it down
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k8ybug posted...

I bought Akai Katana already. :D

I'm really sensitive to input lag and motion blur in these types of games. I find them infinitely more enjoyable on my CRT than on my LCD.

The LCD motion blur makes Thunder Force 4 on Switch almost unplayable to me. :(

I tend to err more towards horizontal shooters like Gradius and R Type. Are the Darius and Raiden games worth playing?

I tend to go with Vert shooters, but that is only after a long history with horizontal shooters.
I just resently bought this monitor that can easly turn into a perfect Tate Mode monitor...but I still haven't hooked my Dreamcast up to it. But steam Ikaruga is amazing with it!! ((I do have the DC hardcopy as well))

The Raiden games a cool. But somewhat sup-par for an otherwise very reliable. Good games, but, IMO, not outstanding. Yes, I do have the 360 release that had a few on it...good practice as they are the few might find in an arcade...if there is one in your area at this point.

So, ya all Cave games are going to be good.

And just quickly back to, Hidden Star in Four Seasons.
This, as of now, the only game I have from this developer...but they are beyond on point....
I just link this here, to make it easier. Apparently, there are english patches, but I haven't gotten that far yet. Normally that isn't an issue for me with shooters, but I feel like I'm missing things gameplay wise as these games are pretty damn out there, in a good way!!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touhou_Project
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a_riot04 posted...

Einhander, best PSX SHMUP

To this day, I haven't played it. :-(
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SiO4 posted...

a_riot04 posted...

Einhander, best PSX SHMUP

To this day, I haven't played it. :-(

Depending on your stance on emulation, its pretty accessible. BTW, can't believe I forgot. Taito's Ray series. RayStorm is one of my all-time favorite. Should be easily tracked down legit on 360 (XBLA) or PSX. Or can go MAME route.

RayForce on the other hand, good luck with that. RayCrisis turned me off, but I'll revisit it one day.
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I just got Raiden 5 for PS4. Its pretty good.
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a_riot04 posted...

SiO4 posted...

a_riot04 posted...

Einhander, best PSX SHMUP

To this day, I haven't played it. :-(

Depending on your stance on emulation, its pretty accessible. BTW, can't believe I forgot. Taito's Ray series. RayStorm is one of my all-time favorite. Should be easily tracked down legit on 360 (XBLA) or PSX. Or can go MAME route.

RayForce on the other hand, good luck with that. RayCrisis turned me off, but I'll revisit it one day.

I don't hold hardcore opinions on playing older games...we'll say.
I just haven't been arsed to look into how to do it. If you know what I mean.
At some point, I'm sure I will figure that out though.
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einhander fucking ruled nice drop itt <3
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Einhander is on the list. It's one of my PS1 grails that I've yet to find a physical copy of.

Gradius V on the PS2 is simply terrific.

I like shmups (especially their music), but man do I suck at them
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FL81 posted...

(especially their music)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFarL_8LQps" data-time="

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIop055eJhU" data-time="