Toughest Shooters?

[RadiantSvgun]

I've been in a SHMUP mood lately, and I want to really challenge myself. Whats some good, tough shooters for PC-engine CD and PS2?

[staxx]

PC Engine
RayXamber II
Tatsujin
Heavy Unit

PS2
Gradius 3 (default to Hard settings)

[RadiantSvgun]

I didn't think Heavy Unit was that hard. I heard the Ray-whatever series is tough, I'll look into those.

[staxx]

Heavy Unit is not that tough but irritating enough. Though you should try Gradius 3 though.

[fahlim003]

DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou for PS2 is as hard as it gets.

[RadiantSvgun]

Heavy Unit is not that tough but irritating enough. Though you should try Gradius 3 though.

I've beaten that with the Gradius III and IV pack. That was serious frustration.


The only thing that keeps me from Dodonpachi is the $70 price tag.

[josekortez]

I've been struggling through Homura on PS2 lately.

I'd avoid Gigawing Generations if you're looking for a tough game. I beat that one the day that it arrived in the mail.

XII Stag and Twinkle Star Sprites 2 definitely fall into the easy to medium category.

[GaijinPunch]

I
I'd avoid Gigawing Generations if you're looking for a tough game. I beat that one the day that it arrived in the mail.



How many credits?

[ave]

Really tough shooters are Gradius III, Tatsujin (md), dodonpachi Daioujou, Battle Garegga, Batsugun Special Ver. (all 4 Loops) and XMULTIPLY.

[The 1 2 P]

R-Types for the PSOne was tough with limited continues but not impossible. Also, there are tons of tough shooters out there where you have no ship: like both PS2 Contras and Red Star.

[RadiantSvgun]

R-Types for the PSOne was tough with limited continues but not impossible. Also, there are tons of tough shooters out there where you have no ship: like both PS2 Contras and Red Star.

I've already finished those.

Did Batsugun get a home release? What about X-multiply? I've never heard of those.

[Kid Fenris]

How many credits?

INFINITY TIMES INFINITY PLUS ONE

[Tron 2.0]

PCE
ImageFight
ImageFight 2

Both of these game from irem will make your blood boil.

Still just like,R-type there pattern based highly recomend you memorize the levels.

[The 1 2 P]

I've already finished those.

Did Batsugun get a home release? What about X-multiply? I've never heard of those.

X-Multiply was only available for the Japanese PS if I'm not mistaken. I actually have the game but never got around to playing it.

[smork]

I've already finished those.

Did Batsugun get a home release? What about X-multiply? I've never heard of those.

Both are on the Saturn - Image Fight was on the Arcade Gears "Image Fight / X-Multiply" pack. I beleive the same pack was released for the PS1.

Batsuugun is great on the Saturn, BTW, well worth picking up.

[RadiantSvgun]

Thanks guys, I've got some good info here, I'll have to pony up for a copy of Image Fight II, since Image Fight was one of my favorite shooters.

[The 1 2 P]

Both are on the Saturn - Image Fight was on the Arcade Gears "Image Fight / X-Multiply" pack. I beleive the same pack was released for the PS1.

Batsuugun is great on the Saturn, BTW, well worth picking up.

Yup, the Image Fight/X-Multiply pack is the one I have for the PS1.

[RadiantSvgun]

I've noticed, for many of these shooters you mentioned..... I need to save some serious cash.

[The 1 2 P]

I've noticed, for many of these shooters you mentioned..... I need to save some serious cash.

Image Fight/X-Multiply cost me about $15, but this was like four years ago. And back then it was much more in demand than it is today.

[smork]

Image Fight/X-Multiply cost me about $15, but this was like four years ago. And back then it was much more in demand than it is today.

That is a damn fine price. I can only speak for the Saturn version, but it tends to go for north of $50.

[The 1 2 P]

That is a damn fine price. I can only speak for the Saturn version, but it tends to go for north of $50.

I wish the same could be said for Salamnder. The PS version always goes for $50+ but I've seen the Saturn version as low as $25. I should have snagged it because I'm tired of waiting for the PS version to go lower.

[smork]

I wish the same could be said for Salamnder. The PS version always goes for $50+ but I've seen the Saturn version as low as $25. I should have snagged it because I'm tired of waiting for the PS version to go lower.

Just thought I'd reiterate how good a price $15 is on Image Fight/X Multiply. I just spent a weekend game hunting and found it twice (PSX version), both times around 7000 yen (~$70). And this was at places that had generally reasonable prices...

[StealthLurker]

PCE
ImageFight
ImageFight 2

Both of these game from irem will make your blood boil.



The ImageFight games are quite frustrating. lol

For the newer stuff, Ibara is a tough one imho.

.

[GaijinPunch]

$15 for Image Fight/X-Multiply is a steal. Must have been mispriced. I have one on my for sale list, but it's not for $15. :)

Batsugun got a home release on the Saturn, and Saturn only. It's definitely not considered hard. 1 week and a moderately skilled player should be able to 1CC it.


The PS version always goes for $50+ but I've seen the Saturn version as low as $25.

That's pretty much the case for all of the Konami shooting games. Gradius DX, Salamander DX, The Parodius', etc. etc.

[Kamisama]

Last Hope is tough as hell!

[blue lander]

Are the Rayxanber games on the PCE as difficult as the first one on the FM Towns? It's the only one I've played, and it's pretty brutal.

[The 1 2 P]

That's pretty much the case for all of the Konami shooting games. Gradius DX, Salamander DX, The Parodius', etc. etc.

Why is that?

[G-Boobie]

I recommend Soukyugurentai for the Saturn. Even if the difficulty isn't batshit insane, the game is just plain good.

[VitaminX]

I read the tougest shooter of all time is still Cyberdyne for the Spectrum. I'm finding it pretty difficult to track this one down.

[bb_hood]

Rayxanber II is REALLY tough. The first stage is kinda tricky but not really hard. The second stage is pretty hard, and the third stage is really hard. I can't beat the 3rd level, its got alot of stuff coming at you and shooting, but what makes it hard is the screen is really crowded.
I can usually beat the first stage without dying, beat the second with a few tries and just giving up in the 3rd stage.
Rayxanber II has alot of replay value despite being so difficult.

I just recently got rayxanber III and its not as tough as the 2nd, but very similar to rayxanber II in respect to both graphics and sound.
I think both are excellent games and def worth owning, especially if you want a challenge.

[GaijinPunch]

There are plenty of games that are impossibly difficult due to:

1: Poor programming
2: Poor testing
3: Etc.

Image Fight for one is known to be one of those "impossible" games. I really dont' think there is a "toughest shooter ever". Seems there's always another one that's harder.


Why is that?

Life is just unfair sometimes.

[Ed Oscuro]

I'll put in a vote for Psikyo's Dragon Blaze and the Strikers games (1 & 2 especially)

[Ryuoken]

What about Thunderforce IV for the Genesis\Megadrive?

I find it really hard.