What are the best space shooters you've ever played?

[SuperEliteGamer]

Any era before this one,as many games as you want,.

[Bloodreign]

Gradius
Gradius II
Gradius III
Gradius IV
Gradius Gaiden
Salamander/Life Force
Salamander II
Raiden
Raiden II
Raiden DX
Xexex
Thunder Corss 1 and 2
Thunder Force 2-4
the entire Parodius series from the MSX beginning to the Sexy Parodius end
the MSX Gradius games
Space Manbox MSX2
The entire Twinbee series
Air Buster/Aero Blasters
Axelay
Aero Fighters/Sonic Wings series
Shienryu
the entire Darius series
Game Tengokou/Game Paradise
Star Parodier

Seriously I could go on, would be a longer list.

[bigbacon]

X-wing
Tie Fighter
Descent 1,2,3
Freespace 1 and 2.

I have a huge liking for Life force and gradius 3 for some reason also.

[SuperEliteGamer]

Seriously I could go on, would be a longer list.
Pls do go on?

[tom]

The Tail of Beta Lyrae on A8
Star Raiders on A8

Two of the best shmups

[Alpha2099]

Darius series
Aero Fighters/Sonic Wings
Strikers 1945 (if that counts)
Descent 1 and 2 (never played 3)

[BricatSegaFan]

Gate of thunder
Galactic attack
Batsugun
Truxton
Hotdog storm
Super star Soldier series
Dodonpachi
Gley lancer
Verytex
Grind stormer

There are a few more but they aren't space ships per se.

Air zonk
Elemental master
Fire shark
Wings of wor
Coryun
Lords of thunder

[SpaceHarrier]

Raiden II
Gley Lancer
Darius Gaiden
Gun Nac
Lightening Force (Thunderforce IV)
Verytex
Strikers 1945 III (Strikers 1999)
Gigawing 2
Raystorm
Gekirindan

There are other greats, I'm sure, but I haven't personally played them yet! Looking forward to the TG-16's Soldier series, for example.

Also, to follow Bricat's example (and add yet one more title she already mentioned):

--non-spaceship/non-space shooters that are awesome--
Lords of Thunder
Undead Line

[Gameguy]

I'll just name a few.

Space Invaders
Space Invaders '91
Defender
Galaxian
Galaga
Gorf
Yar's Revenge

[BricatSegaFan]

Raiden II
Gley Lancer
Darius Gaiden
Gun Nac
Lightening Force (Thunderforce IV)
Verytex
Strikers 1945 III (Strikers 1999)
Gigawing 2
Raystorm
Gekirindan

There are other greats, I'm sure, but I haven't personally played them yet! Looking forward to the TG-16's Soldier series, for example.

Also, to follow Bricat's example (and add yet one more title she already mentioned):

--non-spaceship/non-space shooters that are awesome--
Lords of Thunder
Undead Line

Tg Soldier series is great. The only real weak link in my opinion is final Soldier, but it's still a great game.

[Flam]

Why are not many people naming Life Force? I thought this was suppose to be one of the top space shooters on the NES? I ordered a copy not too long ago, but haven't played it yet as I am giving it to myself for my birthday.

[Atarileaf]

I'll just name a few.

Space Invaders
Space Invaders '91
Defender
Galaxian
Galaga
Gorf
Yar's Revenge

Wow it took 9 posts to come up with some of the most obvious answers, I'd also include Asteroids, not sure if it qualifies to some but it does to me. Anyway I agree totally and would add my favorite TG-16 game - Blazing Lazers.

[sloan]

I grew up a Galaga addict, then this came along:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzCEKqdF8Mw

Best space shooter ever, and did I mention that the soundtrack is out of this world?

[blue lander]

Pretty much anything by compile, and the whole thunderforce series.

[Bloodreign]

Pls do go on?

Others would like to list their games. I'll list some more.

Castle Shikigami/Shikigami no Shiro II
Castle Shikigami III
Gekirindan
Mega Blast
Varth
1942
1943
1943 Kai
19XX
Gunbird 1 and 2
Galaga
Galaga 88
Galaga Arrangement
Cosmo Gang the Video
Gaiares
Eliminate Down
Rayforce
Raystorm
Raycrisis
Hyper Duel

[A Black Falcon]

So does "any era before this one" mean no 7th gen games, or nothing PS2 or newer, or what? I listed a few games for those platforms anyway, but I noted them.

Hmm... in no order.

Scrolling shmups:
Gradius
Gradius III (SNES version)
Gradius: The Interstellar Assault
Gradius V (PS2)
Blazing Lazers
Robo Aleste
Ikaruga (DC)
Raptor: Call of the Shadows
Nexzr (or Summer Carnival '93: Nexzr Special)
Blazing Star
Under Defeat (DC)
R-Type
Lightening Force
Truxton (Genesis)
Defender (Arcade)
Gate of Thunder
Keio Flying Squadron

Some honorable mentions: Giga Wing 2, Space Megaforce, BlaZeon, Summer Carnival '92: Alzadick, Summer Carnival '92: Recca, Strikers 1945 II, Sonic Wings Special, Galactic Attack (RayForce), Gradius Gaiden, Gradius II, Viewpoint, Shienryu, Silpheed, Truxton II, Eliminate Down, Abadox, Fire Shark, W-Ring: The Double Rings, Aero Blasters/Air Buster, etc etc.

Single-screen shooters:
Megamania
Space Invaders (Arcade)
Space Invaders (2600)
Space Invaders Extreme (probably too recent)
Galaga

Arena shooters:
UFO! (O2)
Robotron 2084
Llamatron 2112
Geometry Wars (too recent?)

Rail shooters:
Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom! (2600; has no height component, unlike most rail shooters)
Space Harrier
Panzer Dragoon
Panzer Dragoon Orta (too recent?)
Sin & Punishment: Successor to the Earth
Sin & Punishment 2: Star Successor (too recent)

[SuperEliteGamer]

Awesome lists guys,thank you!
Can't wait for more.

[sloan]

When it comes to Galaga, there are many flavors:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYXVtQYzOxg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axaTy45jAqk


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DLNFM6vgQM

I think I favor Galaga 3/Gaplus over the others.

[sloan]

In my list of favorite space shooters, original arcade Darius gets honorable mention:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw2PMdIpHdE

3 screens wide, no home port could ever do it justice.

[bb_hood]

Hyper Duel - Saturn
Darius Gaiden - Saturn
Rayxanber II - Pc engine - probably the coolest one, but its mega hard
Kingdom Grandprix - Saturn
Lords of Thunder - Turbo Grafx

[Wraith Storm]

There are few things I love more than a good space shooter... except maybe bacon... I love me some good bacon. There are few thing I hate worse than bullet hell shooters... except maybe soggy bacon... I hate soggy bacon, but I digress...

I'm sure I left a few out. I have a TON of shooters and love the genre, but these are my absolute favorites.

NES:
Life Force - The first and only shooter of the era that really grabbed me. I still enjoy it to this day.

Genesis:
Wings of Wor - Awesome and uniquely themed shooter. Dark foreboding mood and awesome music.

Elemental Master - More of a walk em' up than a shoot em' up, but its an awesome take on the genre. Nice fantasy theme and kick @$$ Technosoft ost!

Vapor Trail - One of the greates Genny soundtracks of all time and a blast to play as well. It always reminded me a bit of Raiden which is no bad thing!

Android Assault (Sega CD) - A all around solid shooter that is far greater than the sum of its parts. It has an awesome Redbook soundtrack as well.

Silpheed (Sega CD) - Plays like galaga on steroids. It has some incredible graphical trickery, solid sound track and just loads of fun!

Turbo Grafx\Duo:
Gates of Thunder - This was one of my favorite shooters for quite some time. Similar to Android assault in that there isn't a lot of new stuff going on. The game takes a prooven formula and just does what it does VERY well. It has been polished to perfection.

Lords of Thunder - A VERY awesome shooter with a fantasy theme. One of the best looking Duo games I have ever seen. It fantastic art direction with beautiful pixel art, huge sprites and a rocking sound track. I also love the risk/reward money system. It forces you to hone your skills.


Soldier Blade - One of the best looking Hu card games. I looks as good if not better than anything the Genesis or Snes have to offer! The power up system isn't as rediculous as Blazing Lazers, but it's still loads of fun.

Blazing Lazers - A Turbo classic. Loads of powerups, great music, nice varied stages and easy on the wallet.

[Flam]

Two of the best shmups

'shmups' what does this abbreviation stand for? I see it everywhere, I assume 'shoot'em ups' but does it just refer to space shoot um ups.

[o.pwuaioc]

'shmups' what does this abbreviation stand for? I see it everywhere, I assume 'shoot'em ups' but does it just refer to space shoot um ups.
Space and non-space alike. Typically horizontal or vertical automatic scrolling shooters, like Gradius and Star Soldier to name two. Shooter doesn't really get to the key differences in game mechanics from "shmups" (like most space shooters) to run-n-guns like Contra to TPS/FPS like Metal Gear or Halo. What people have been listing in this thread are shmups. "Space shooter" was the old name because it began with space (Space Invaders, Galaga) and shone brilliantly with space (Gradius, R-Type, etc.). However, there's no real difference in core mechanics when you look at Galaga and Centipede, Star Soldier and Dragon Spirit, Gradius and Parodius. They're all shmups, even if they're not all in space.

[Flam]

Space and non-space alike. Typically horizontal or vertical automatic scrolling shooters, like Gradius and Star Soldier to name two. Shooter doesn't really get to the key differences in game mechanics from "shmups" (like most space shooters) to run-n-guns like Contra to TPS/FPS like Metal Gear or Halo. What people have been listing in this thread are shmups. "Space shooter" was the old name because it began with space (Space Invaders, Galaga) and shone brilliantly with space (Gradius, R-Type, etc.). However, there's no real difference in core mechanics when you look at Galaga and Centipede, Star Soldier and Dragon Spirit, Gradius and Parodius. They're all shmups, even if they're not all in space.

Thanks! Great clairification.

[Immutable]

Quarth for the Famicom - it's a nice blend between Tetris and Space Invaders! ;)

[JakeM]

For new games on older systems you should check out Gunlord, Last Hope: Pink Bullets, NEO XYX , Fast Striker that are newer games for the Dreamcast.

And DODONPACHI! I love those games!

[PreZZ]

I recently discovered Android Assault (called Bari arms in japan and europe I think) and im playing it with my Sega 3button arcade stick on my sony pvm! Its officialy become my favorite Sega CD game and if you cant find it (its pricey too!) dont forget sega cd has no copy protection! I also liked Astro Warrior on my SMS I played it a lot has a kid, not the greatest shooter but I guess the nostalgia does its thing for me on this game!

[Wraith Storm]

I recently discovered Android Assault (called Bari arms in japan and europe I think) and im playing it with my Sega 3button arcade stick on my sony pvm! Its officialy become my favorite Sega CD game and if you cant find it (its pricey too!) dont forget sega cd has no copy protection!

I love Android Assault. I have beat the game time and time again over the years, but only a year or two ago i discovered a cool tactic. Every time you adjust the speed of your ship it emits a small flame or enery burst out the exaust. You can actually damage enemies with this flame and it is a VERY powerful attack. It's not covered anywhere in the instructions and I have never heard anyone else mention this.

It's a neat way to attack enemies that sneak up behind you. Just start hammering away on the speed adjust button and they will die in no time! Just a fun tactic that I discovered one night and thought I would share.

[PreZZ]

I love Android Assault. I have beat the game time and time again over the years, but only a year or two ago i discovered a cool tactic. Every time you adjust the speed of your ship it emits a small flame or enery burst out the exaust. You can actually damage enemies with this flame and it is a VERY powerful attack. It's not covered anywhere in the instructions and I have never heard anyone else mention this.

It's a neat way to attack enemies that sneak up behind you. Just start hammering away on the speed adjust button and they will die in no time! Just a fun tactic that I discovered one night and thought I would share.

Thanks for the tip, I will try it! Still havent beat the game yet!

[8-Bit Archeology]

Super Star Soldier - TG16
Sub Terainia - Genesis
Zannac - NES
Starfox - SNES
Star Wars Arcade - 32X
Galaxian - Arcade
Galaga - Arcade
Shadow Squadron - 32X
And I know a lot of people rag on it, but I thought Cybermorph - Jaguar was pretty cool.

I completely forgot about
Fantasy World for the SMS.
Love that one too.

[Tron 2.0]

Crisis Force (Famicom)
Twinklestar Sprites (Neo-Geo)
Musha (Genesis)
Spriggan (PCE)
Radiant Silvergun (Saturn)
Zanac (NES)
Darius Gaiden (Saturn)
Recca Summer Carnival 92 (Famicom)
Gleylancer (Genesis)
Pulstar (Neo-Geo)
Blazing Lazers (TG16)
Galaga 88 (TG16)
Coryoon (PCE)
Sexy Parodius (Saturn)
Cotton (TG16)
Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (PCE)

Yeah listed a few cute'em ups but there fun.

[tom]

oh yes I forgot, Cybermorph, Tempest 2000 and Gorf on Jaguar

[Neb6]

Tail Gunner (for its time)
Astro Blaster
Galaga
Star Wars (vector arcade)
Astro Smash
R-Type
Major Havoc (station defense waves)
Tac/Scan
Section Z
Side Arms
Space Harrier
Star Blade
Gyruss

[blue lander]

Rayxanber II - Pc engine - probably the coolest one, but its mega hard


Have you ever tried the original Rayxanber? It's stupidly difficult

[wayultratech]

Through that recent Nintendo Direct mention and subsequent digital release I recently discovered Summer Carnival '92 Recca, very challenging but super fun!!

Also, I very much enjoyed Gradius Galaxies for GBA, and my all-time favorite shmup is Ikaruga (GC). Here's a few more:

Space MegaForce SNES (i think it's called Super Aleste in other regions)

Phalanx SNES

Super Earth Defense Force SNES

Super Nova (Darius Force) SNES

Strike Gunner S.T.G. SFC (not in space but def a shmup)

Raiden Trad SNES (again, not in space but still fun shmup)

Star Soldier Vanishing Earth N64

Raiden III PS2 is pretty fun

the Parodius SFC games are pretty bizarre and fun, i personally am down with Jikkyo Oshaberi Parodius!!

Also, i definitely apologize if anything i mentioned has already been mentioned in this thread, i am still very new around here so i defs don't want to step on any toes, but want to be as helpful as i can. Cheers!!

[Neb6]

I should also mention:



StarForce (arcade)

Final Soldier (TG16)



If this was for computers, I'd also include:

Hybris (Amiga)
SWIV (Amiga)
Silpheed (PC)
Sidewinder (Amiga)

[rmaerz]

Galaxian
Galaga
Gorf
Star Castle
Sinistar
Asteroids
Space Encounters
Space Fury
Defender

[tom]

another fave of mine
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=244938&g2_serialNumber=1


And there's the gorgeous Katakis and the superb Armalyte on C64


.

[Yago]

Trying not to beat a dead horse I don't think these were mentioned yet but these are ones I really like.

Starmaster - Atari 2600
Blood Money - Amiga
Blasteroids - Amiga
Alien Syndrome - Arcade
Xenophobe - Arcade
Alien Breed - Amiga (Personal Favorite)
Zaxxon - Colecovision
Minestorm - Vectrex

[SuperEliteGamer]

I love you guys.

[Lady Jaye]

My favorite:

Galaga (sadly, don't care much for the rest of the series -- Galaga 88 would be in my list if the visuals didn't detract from the gameplay)

The whole Parodius series (aside from the very first one, which is as slow and awkward to play as the first Gradius game). I'm glad I got the PSP compilation (released in Japan only) from a friend who sold it to me!

Cloud Master on the Sega Master System. Just love that game! I know it's not the best shmup ever, but I can never get enough of those flying ramen soup bowls.

Ikaruga -- I always regretted getting rid of my copy on the GameCube, but fortunately, we found a mint copy for $3 at Goodwill (along with a mint and complete copy of Tales of Symphonia for the same price, among our best scores ever!)

[starsoldier1]

I love Space Mega Force, very underrated vertical shooter:

http://youtu.be/Zn5GIckdV-w

[Damaramu]

Space Lords. I dumped many a quarter into this game as a teen. A buddy of mine (co-pilot/gunner) were pretty much unstoppable in this game.


http://youtu.be/Uw3K81Ixqxg

[Koa Zo]

Galaga '88
Metal Black
Border Down
Ikaruga
Recca
Zero Gunner 2
Nexzr
Trizeal
Silpheed
one of the Thunder Force games, VI is my favorite lately, Gold Pack 2 does the trick as well

[TheRetroVideoGameAddict]

Gun NAC, Tempest 2000, Atlantis, Defender, Megamania, and Space Invaders were all excellent. Space shooters is a long list when it comes to video games, lots of great titles and classics to pick from.

[Dr. BaconStein]

Mostly the Parodius series, Gradius III, Touhou, and the Cave shooters (especially DeathSmiles). Air Zonk is pretty fun too.

I'm kind of a PC Engine noob but if I had more time I'd check out more of its shooters. Star Parodier looks really cool.

[MetalFRO]

Too many great ones to list, so I'll just name off my fav for each console:

NES: Abadox
Genesis: Lightening Force/TF4 (by a wide margin)
Master System: Fantasy Zone 1 & 2 (tie)
TG-16: Blazing Lazers
SNES: Super Space Megaforce
Game Boy: Gradius Interstellar Assault
Game Boy Color: R-Type DX
Saturn: Galactic Attack (aka Layer Section/RayForce) - honorable mention for Darius Gaiden
PlayStation: RayStorm
Game Boy Advance: Gradius Generation
PSP: tie between Gradius Collection, Soldier Collection, and Parodius Collection
PS2: Gradius V
PC: Tyrian 2000

[Serious]

My favorite game genre...

A few of my favorites:

Sinistar (Arcade)
Space Dungeon (Arcade)
Star Castle (Arcade)
Mad Planets (Arcade)
Galaga 88 (Arcade)
Juno First (Arcade)
Defender (Arcade)
Gorf (Arcade)
Galaga (Arcade)
Megamania (Atari 2600)
Gyruss (Arcade and C64)
Space Cavern (Atari 2600)
Elite (C64)
U.F.O. (Odyssey 2)
Freedom Fighters (Odyssey 2)
Space Invaders 91 (Arcade and Amiga)
Demon Attack (Most 8-bit systems)

I could keep going, but these are the ones I'd put at the top of my list.

[Neb6]

I recently discovered Android Assault (called Bari arms in japan and europe I think) and im playing it with my Sega 3button arcade stick on my sony pvm! Its officialy become my favorite Sega CD game and if you cant find it (its pricey too!) dont forget sega cd has no copy protection! I also liked Astro Warrior on my SMS I played it a lot has a kid, not the greatest shooter but I guess the nostalgia does its thing for me on this game!

Astro Warrior is awesome.

I played it for the first time ever, about a week ago. So that's a positive vote from a fresh set of eyes.

[Koa Zo]

5200 - Defender
Vectrex - Vectorpilot

those just came to mind

Aerofighters 2 and Raiden II were always favorites in the arcade.

[DK1105]

You should check out R-Shark. Its a Korean arcade shump made by Dooyong. I really want to pick up a board some time.

[Yago]

Forgot about Project X on the Amiga. Side shooter.

[courtesi1]

Why do I feel like I'm about to get a good ass chewing for picking a PC title?

My favorite shooter is actually on the Sharp X68000 and later ported to Windows: Cho Ren Sha 68k.

[BricatSegaFan]

Why do I feel like I'm about to get a good ass chewing for picking a PC title?

My favorite shooter is actually on the Sharp X68000 and later ported to Windows: Cho Ren Sha 68k.

Nah I don't think you will. Tyrian is a great pc shoot em up that I enjoyed.

[PizzaKat]

I really enjoyed Captain Skyhawk on NES. I played the heck out of that back in the day. Definitely worth a try and its dirt cheap.