Best 2D Side-Scrolling Shoot'em Up (SHMUP)?

[mediamachine]

I really liked gynoug on the Genesis/megadrive.......

so, whats everyones fave?

Just been gettin back into the genre lately and just wondered what the best ones out there are?

[davidleeroth]

Rrrr-Type.

[jaybird]

Gunstar Heroes, Bangai-O, Contra...

[SMB]

Contra,R-Type,Border Down,SMB shoots fire balls(shmup sorta)

[max 330 mega]

metal slug metal slug metal slug!

[ddockery]

Anything from the Gradius/Salamander series gets my money.

[Neo-Jorge]

Mines Would have to be Pulstar and Blazing Star, I also always enjoyed the darius series.




Thanks

[Ed Oscuro]

EDF seems to me a lot like an R-Type game, and I like it.

Now, since Contra and Gunstar Heroes have been mentioned, how about

Ghouls 'n Ghosts
and
Mischief Makers (oops! Shook the $^%* machine gun one too many times! Shake Shake... LOL )

[Nez]

I liked R-type Final for the PS2 Lots of fun there.

Sega Saturn Import - Sengoku Blade is fun with 2 people, you'll understand why is you play it.

[racecar]

contra(nes), the metal slug series, gunstar heros, raiden series, gigawing 1,2 that is all i can think of for now, oh yeah treasure shooters .....

[Iron Draggon]

I love all shmups, horizontal & vertical, but one of my all time favorites just happens to be a sidescroller for the Genesis. Good luck on your quest for it!

Fire Mustang (Taito)

Japanese import only. Probably insanely expensive by now, if you can find it. You are an American P-51 Mustang pilot during WWII. The levels alternate between fighting the Germans and fighting the Japanese. The music is one of the best soundtracks that you'll ever hear on the Genesis. Totally manic, especially during all the boss fights. I still haven't beaten it yet, because you only get three continues and I've never found any codes for it. Very highly recommended. It's a total tragedy that it was never released in the states. But then the Japanese know how much we Americans would love to gloat over our victory again in a game like this. I'm sure that's why they kept it from us. Their grudge is so totally obvious. It kicks butt and takes names! Tons of parralax, just the right amount of powerups, and a real challenge. I think it's one of the greatest 16bit shmups ever made. A definite classic!

http://www.genesiscollective.com/ShowPage.php?GameLink=826

I am so glad that I got this game when I did. I bought it about 10 years ago brand new for only $50. I got the very last copy they had. Totally worth it!

[slownerveaction]

I can't believe that in a thread about horizontal shmups, no has mentioned the Thunder Force series yet. My shmup tastes lie more with the manic modern verts, but Thunder Force is quality.

[MegaDrive20XX]

THUNDER FORCE 4...I rest my case

Contra: Hard Corps

and of course, the Ghosts N' Goblins Trilogy

and Im still shocked no one mentioned Konami's PARODIUS DA!
Funky, but a damn fine shooter

[SegaAges]

my all-time fav would have to be abuse for dos.

the game is insanely innovative.

if we are talking about "megaman" type games, than this is the ultimate game. it is similar to contra, mm, and all those, except you move with the cursors, and fire with the mouse. it is awesome because you can be running away from enemies at full speed while popping them off.

everybody should download abuse. it was a game that got started, finished, but never released until a few years ago.

if you type in freeabuse in google or another search engine, i guarentee that you will find a download for it.

best side scrolling shoot-em-up i have ever played, and it's free!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[slip81]

I'd have to say Gunstar Heroes for the Genny, Lords of Thuder for Sega CD and Metal Slug, there was also another cool game where you played a flying person, but I can't remember the name and i think it was a vertical shooter.

[Raccoon Lad]

Fantasy Zone 2: the Tears of Opa Opa

[pookninja]

cotton:100% for super famicom.

[racecar]

I'd have to say Gunstar Heroes for the Genny, Lords of Thuder for Sega CD and Metal Slug, there was also another cool game where you played a flying person, but I can't remember the name and i think it was a vertical shooter.
the one i can think of right now are mobile lightforce ps1/ps2

[NintendoMan]

#1 Contra
#2 Super Ghouls N Ghost, SNES - I guess you can count that?

[MegaDrive20XX]

#2 Super Ghouls N Ghost, SNES - I guess you can count that?

*puts his seal of approval on that* 8-)

[Dire 51]

Amazing how many people are confusing platformers like G'NG and SMB, as well as run-n-guns like Contra and Metal Slug with shoot em ups, aka shmups, in this thread. Anyone remember the SHMUPFAQ? Malc described them as follows:

"Tricky one this, and full of pitfalls if I don't answer right, with loads of anal-retentives ready to jump down my neck at a slip... ;)

The word SHMUP originated as a compressed form of the term SHOOTEMUP, a label applied to a certain type of game which involved you playing a character shooting things. As far as I can work out, SHMUP seems to be a UK term, and I'd love to know who made it up!

But exactly what type of game is a shootemup then? I'd like to just say that when you know that you don't need to ask what a SHMUP is, then you know. But that's a pretentious load of bollocks, and I wouldn't get away with it.

So how can I do it then? I'm must admit to having a wee break here, as I really don't know. Lets set some simple rules for a wannabe shmup game to be even allowed to know where the party's at:

It must involve you controlling an object which you use to shoot other enemy objects with. (ie, you must shoot things.)

But that would mean any old game like Duckshoot, Doom, Quake, Time Crisis and even Deerhunter could be called a shootemup, right?

Technically yes, so we obviously need to refine it a little more. Remember the terms SHMUP and SHOOTEMUP were coined when there wasn't any 3D polygons and CD games, and the most a machine could manage was some sprites flying about the screen and some basic scrolling.

To a veteran hard-boiled gamesplayer, this was the Golden Age. The subtitle on SHMUPS says something about CLASSIC shootemups - and we all know how hard 'classic' is to define as well!! We're talking the eighties and early nineties here, and what games typified a shooting game in the arcades?

For me, they were: Xevious, one of the first vertical scrolling games ever, Nemesis, which pioneered in many ways with its level/boss structure and of course R-Type, all three of these created a template which is still being used to fashion shootemups today.

So I'm going to define a shmup as this:

A videogame in which you control a flying spaceship / character in a scrolling 2-dimensional environment in which you shoot waves of enemy ships /aliens / bosses and avoid their firepower.

This is my interpretation, and it suits me fine. It's not a tight definition, and it might not be other people's idea of what a shmup is, but that's fine by me! You'll probably notice some games in here which don't exactly, or even nearly fit that definition, but they're here because they add variety and spice and they're damned good 'nearly-shmups'. Contra is one: it's a mix of action platform game and shmup. See if you can spot any others. But don't tell me about them because I probably know already."

They don't get enough respect as it is, people, so let's not just start throwing any old game into the mix.

Back to the original question: just about any game in the Gradius/Salamander/Parodius, ThunderForce, Darius or R-Type series are great. Sure, there are a few exceptions here and there, but for the most part they're all great. I also highly recommend Axelay, Einhander and Pulstar.

[Ed Oscuro]

You know, sometimes I care, but hey, we are discussing our favorite games, no? I know the terminology, but right now I honestly couldn't care less ;)

[Dire 51]

I hear you there ed, but mediamachine did specifically ask for everyone's favorite side scrolling shoot em up and cited a specific example of what he was talking about (in this case Gynoug, which is one great shmup). So why bring up games that aren't shmups, like G'NG for example?

[junglehunter]

SMS - R-Type
NES - Abadox
GEN - Gunstar Heroes
Neo Geo - Metal Slug X/3

[MegaDrive20XX]

I hear you there ed, but medimachine did specifically ask for everyone's favorite side scrolling shoot em up and cited a specific example of what he was talking about (in this case Gynoug, which is one great shmup). So why bring up games that aren't shmups, like G'NG for example?

I was wondering myself when that was posted earlier...but hell, dont ruin something that is already good..but meh...oh well

[Dire 51]

Think about it... if you asked for say, 1-on-1 fighting game recommendations and people started chiming in recommending games like SMB and Contra, wouldn't you be just the slightest bit puzzled?

Sorry to be such a damn stick-in-the-mud about this, though. Hail SHMUPS!

[whoisKeel]

ah, yes i like shmups too. Gate of Thunder was really fun. I have yet to try out lords of thunder, which i have heard is just as good.

[-hellvin-]

I had to think about this one for a while but I picked three that are my favorites.

Saturn - Sengoku Blade (my favorite import)
TG16 - Air Zonk (weird and fun)
Genesis - Thunderforce series/LF

[Bronty-2]

All these votes for contra and not a single one for Super C? IMO, super c was far superior 8-) (even though both were ridiculously cool).

--and life force was amazing

[DigitalSpace]

Space Megaforce (SNES), with R-Type III (SNES), Gekioh: Shooting King (PSX), and R-Type Final (PS2) close behind.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Think about it... if you asked for say, 1-on-1 fighting game recommendations and people started chiming in recommending games like SMB and Contra, wouldn't you be just the slightest bit puzzled?

Sorry to be such a damn stick-in-the-mud about this, though. Hail SHMUPS!

I agree with you on that...I don't know what went wrong heh

[Dire 51]

Beats me. It's the wild and wacky world of internet forums for you!

Or something like that. Damn, but I'm tired.

Another recommendation: Ordyne!

[Iron Draggon]

Axelay is kinda cheating, since it only side scrolls half the time, but I'm glad it was mentioned. Now I say if you like Gynoug, you really should try Sol Divide. Not the crappy brutally molested PSX version, but the Saturn import original.

[digitalpress]

There's a whole topic dedicated to this very genre:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1714&highlight=shmups

I'll leave this one unlocked but please do enter your comments into that thread as well as it will continue to be the "official" SHMUP topic directed to from many areas on this site!

[rbudrick]

Hmm, Contra, Ghouls N Ghousts, Gunstrar Heroes, Metal Slug...those are more like side scrolling action games....they blur the line.

Shooters are more like Gradius, Darius, R-type, Musha, Gaiares, Parodius, stuff like that.

I definitley like all the series listed above. There are some shining jewels with no sequels out there, like Phalanx that were very good, but that was SNES Then again, Gaiares never had a sequel either....or Musha...I think...

-Rob

[Ed Oscuro]

Silly me, I try to come off as being laid back but fail miserably :)

Yes, Dire's right and I should've been quiet! Same old story here.

I usually consider any game whose scrolling rate isn't wholly independent of your avatar's movement (i.e. the game doesn't scroll by itself) to not be a shmup - be it a mech game like Xardion, Front Mission: Gun Hazard, or the Assault Suits series games; or a character-based title where you chuck stuff. I'd consider those action games.

On the other hand, where would you put Defender? Isn't that a (mostly) shooter? Then there's Atomic Runner (Chelnov), which only lets you stop running but otherwise moves you along at a fixed rate.

For me, then, the definition is found by looking at the game's main focus, like Dire said. If it's dodging bullets and shooting stuff, it's likely a shmup. If it's platforming or moving a humanoid character who controls mostly like a shmup does (Forgotten Worlds comes to mind) then it's likely best termed an action game.

On the old Mega Drive game boxes, it would be interesting to discover if Sega let companies choose whatever categories they thought fit best, did it themselves, or had a strict set of definitions (not so likely, I suppose).

[slownerveaction]

Hmm Then again, Gaiares never had a sequel either....or Musha...I think...

Well, MUSHA is technically part of the Compile's massive Aleste series of shmups, which also includes several other games released in the US under other names like Power Strike and Space Megaforce.

[delafro]

I would have thought this topic would begin and end with R-Type, but apparently not!

BTW, EDF is an inferior game, sorry. I'm not sure why it's even being mentioned in this post.

[Ed Oscuro]

BTW, EDF is an inferior game, sorry. I'm not sure why it's even being mentioned in this post.
I mentioned it (the arcade version, that is) because I enjoyed playing it as a sort of R-Type wannabe. There you go.

[Habeeb Hamusta]

Gradius is cool. R-Type pisses me off.
Metal Slug is Great!

[Voodoo]

I still enjoy the shmupfest that is Gradius III (SNES).

Life Force (NES) is a very close 2nd. Excellent shmupage!

[Dire 51]

Silly me, I try to come off as being laid back but fail miserably :)

Yes, Dire's right and I should've been quiet! Same old story here.

LOL

Sorry Ed, I was just trying to stay true to the spirit of the original request.


I usually consider any game whose scrolling rate isn't wholly independent of your avatar's movement (i.e. the game doesn't scroll by itself) to not be a shmup - be it a mech game like Xardion, Front Mission: Gun Hazard, or the Assault Suits series games; or a character-based title where you chuck stuff. I'd consider those action games.

Ditto.


On the other hand, where would you put Defender? Isn't that a (mostly) shooter? Then there's Atomic Runner (Chelnov), which only lets you stop running but otherwise moves you along at a fixed rate.

I'd maybe term Defender a proto-shmup. Chelnov, though... I've only played it for a short time, so I'm not sure what to call it.


For me, then, the definition is found by looking at the game's main focus, like Dire said. If it's dodging bullets and shooting stuff, it's likely a shmup. If it's platforming or moving a humanoid character who controls mostly like a shmup does (Forgotten Worlds comes to mind) then it's likely best termed an action game.

That sounds good to me. I've always lumped Forgotten Worlds (as well as Section Z and Sidearms) into the shmup category, but perhaps action games fit them better.


On the old Mega Drive game boxes, it would be interesting to discover if Sega let companies choose whatever categories they thought fit best, did it themselves, or had a strict set of definitions (not so likely, I suppose).

I've wondered that myself. Too bad we may never know.

[cracked8ball]

Gradius series or Life Force

[Iron Draggon]

Hmm Then again, Gaiares never had a sequel either....or Musha...I think...

Well, MUSHA is technically part of the Compile's massive Aleste series of shmups, which also includes several other games released in the US under other names like Power Strike and Space Megaforce.

Robo Aleste on Sega CD rocks! Awesome game, and one of the best on the system. If this had been a launch title, they would've sold alot more systems.

I count both Defender & Stargate (Defender II) as shmups.

Atomic Runner (Chelnov) is a tossup. Kind of a borderline shmup, but since you control a man with a gun that can be aimed in more than one direction, and he has some other moves like duck and jump, I'd say that it's more of an action platformer, even if it does constantly scroll to force you along a path.

EDF is a pretty good game, and very challenging too. I'd say that it's more underrated than I'd say that it's inferior. Not bad for an early SNES release.

R-Type is extremely overrated. It's biggest claim to fame is that it was the first of it's kind, but beyond that the ship is ugly as sin and looks too weird. I've never played it though, so perhaps I'm completely wrong on this one.

Gradius is pretty good, but it doesn't seem to be very creative. The enemies seem too similar and too generic to me for some reason. What's with all the bubbles? I heard that it was really difficult, but I didn't find it very hard at all.

Phalanx, never played it yet because unfortunately I don't own it, but I've heard that it's hard as hell so I'd love to try it sometime. It's on my want list.

Imperium, I know it's not a sidescroller, but I've heard that it's pretty good. Not very long and not very difficult, but supposedly it gets pretty intense. Looks like it's supposed to be MUSHA on the SNES. It's on my want list too.

Blazeon, I've heard good things and bad things about this one. Looks like a cross between Gaiares and Hyper Duel. Unfortunately, I've never played Hyper Duel before, because I never found an importer who had it in stock or was able to get it for me when it was cheap. Now it's too expensive, but I still would love to own it someday, so I could finally try it out. I hear it rocks. Now Gaiares is everything they say it is and then some, but it's hard as hell! Anyway, Blazeon is on my want list too, if for no other reason than it's rarity.

Biometal & Biometal 2, don't own either one and never played them either, but they look cool as shit and I hear they're pretty good. I wish I owned them both. So another two shmups on my want list. It's a very long list.

D-Force, again not a side scroller, but very underrated. Not bad at all for an early SNES release. With two different modes (realistic & fantasy) and tons of levels, not to mention the excellent use of mode 7 as a play mechanic, I don't understand why this one isn't considered a classic by more shmup fans.

Thunder Spirits, this is Thunder Force on SNES, right? I hear that it's vastly inferior, but I'd still love to own it so I could play it anyway. On my want list.

Strike Gunner STG, I was always under the impression that this is just Vapor Trail on SNES, but is that true or is it a different game? It looks very similar. I never bought it for that reason, so I hope that I don't end up regretting it.

Raiden Trad, need I say more? Everybody loves Raiden Trad. Everybody. It's required shmupping. I have it on Genesis, PS, & Jaguar, but not on SNES yet.

I think that pretty much covers it for SNES shmups, as far as the ones that I have on my want list and the ones I can comment on because I've played them before, but alot of the best ones are top scrollers, not side scrollers.

Aero Fighters (Sonic Wings) is totally awesome on SNES, but once I got Sonic Wings Special for Saturn, it made it pretty much obsolete. For those who don't know, SWS is a remix of all 3 Aero Fighters games for NeoGeo.

BTW, while we're on the subject, anybody know where I can get any of the games on my want list besides ebay? I'd prefer sealed copies because I'm just real picky that way, but I may have to settle for mint complete by now.

My want list (short version for SNES only)

Biometal
Blazeon
Firepower 2000
Gradius III
Hyperzone
Imperium
Metal Morph
Phalanx
R-Type III
Raiden Trad
Strike Gunner STG
Super R-Type
Thunder Spirits

13 shmups on a dead man's SNES, yo-ho-ho & a barrel of fun! Woo-hoo-hoo!

P.S.: My all time favorite games for side scrollers and shmups in general are the Darius series and the Thunder Force series. I have all of those for every system they ever appeared on, except the PSX version of Thunder Force V. No point in owning that one, since I own the vastly superior Saturn version. Oh wait, I don't have the Saturn version of Darius II, or any of the TurboDuo versions either, but not counting those I'm pretty sure that I have them all.

[Jedi805]

Super R-Type
Raiden
Mobile Light Force
Ikaruga
Gekioh Shooting King
Shooter Space Shot

Those are some of my favorites

[Dire 51]

Strike Gunner STG, I was always under the impression that this is just Vapor Trail on SNES, but is that true or is it a different game? It looks very similar. I never bought it for that reason, so I hope that I don't end up regretting it.

It's a different game. Similar to Vapor Trail, yes, but it is different.

[SegaAges]

so does this mean, by the definition, that games like ikaruga count too?

if they do:
i also want to add Ikaruga (DC)
Vapor Trail (Genesis)

[delafro]

BTW, EDF is an inferior game, sorry. I'm not sure why it's even being mentioned in this post.
I mentioned it (the arcade version, that is) because I enjoyed playing it as a sort of R-Type wannabe. There you go.

Well, I've never played the original arcade, but I imagine as an early 90's release that the arcade version is much improved.

[SMB]

Metal slug is better than contra so i am going to have to say Metal Slug 1,2,3,4,5,x are my faves :)

[Iron Draggon]

Strike Gunner STG, I was always under the impression that this is just Vapor Trail on SNES, but is that true or is it a different game? It looks very similar. I never bought it for that reason, so I hope that I don't end up regretting it.

It's a different game. Similar to Vapor Trail, yes, but it is different.

DAMN! I knew that I'd end up regretting it! Now I need that one real bad!

[Jasoco]

Ikaruga for the sheer genius and difficulty of it.

Pop 'n' Twinbee (All variations. Including Twinbee, Bells and Whistles, etc.) for the really cool music and kick-ass weird graphics and enemies.

Fantasy Zone just for the graphical coolness. Though, I can't get past the first level.

Still, I'd love a compilation of both the bottom two series' on a modern console. And an arcade cabinet of Bells and Whistles. I played it on MAME and damn, what a cool game.

[Neonsolid]

Gone.

[Cantaloup]

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you pronounce "SHMUP"? Is it like "schmuck" but with a "P" instead of a "CK" sound at the end? Sorry I couldn't think of a better word for comparison. :embarrassed:

[Jasoco]

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you pronounce "SHMUP"? Is it like "schmuck" but with a "P" instead of a "CK" sound at the end? Sorry I couldn't think of a better word for comparison. :embarrassed:Yes.

It's as if you said "Shoot em up" really fast. It's a Shmup! Shmup! :D

[Cirrus]

Gunstar Heroes... is there any doubt?

[Cirrus]

metal slug series cant be beat imo and its my favorite of SNK's games

Oh, and that.

[carlsson]

Delta, at least if you come from the Commodore 64 side like me and never have tried R-Type etc. Delta has the smooth scrolling, the power-ups, the different attack waves, the great soundtrack etc. Nemesis was a rather poor port on that system (compared to e.g. the MSX) and while Salamander looks better, it never sold me.

[squidblatt]

Time Pilot and, my favorite, Lifeforce.

[DigitalSpace]

Space Megaforce (SNES), with R-Type III (SNES), Gekioh: Shooting King (PSX), and R-Type Final (PS2) close behind.

Added to my list of favorites:

Ikaruga (GC)
Super R-Type (SNES)
R-Type DX (GBC)
Gradius III (SNES)
Axelay (SNES)
Xevious (various systems, I own the GBA NES Classics version)

Also, I'd like to thank Sotenga, who recommend many of the games I listed here a while ago. You've helped a me get a little deeper into the genre! :)

And thanks to Kamino for urging me even more to get Ikaruga. :)

[Xexyz]

Off topic but does anyone find that Fire Mustang Japanese import only game a bit strange. You fight against German and Japanese forces as an American pilot. And it was only avaliable in Japan LOL

[Dimitri]

Granada. Easily my favorite shmup on any system. Though I've also got a soft spot for Star Soldier (NES) and, if it counts, Jim Power for the SNES. Platformer, top-down, and shmup levels all set to an awesome soundtrack. ;)

[Muscelli]

toughue, either metal slug or border down (even though its 3d)

[SuperNES]

so games like defender?

DC: giga wing(i love giga wing)

there is a fan-created PC game called halo: blood covenant that is pretty good. it needs work tho, the controls and game overall are really slow and they got the guns all messed up(they included guns that arent even from halo)
and all the Metal slug games!!!!

[suznjak]

axelay
einhander
r-type final and delta
gradius 5
lighting force
blazing star
pulstar
ikaruga
gaiares
prehistoric Isle 2
gates and lords of thunder
thunder force 5
darius gaiden
nope still dont think radiant silvergun is that great.good but not great. -_-

[jslithy]

Soukyugurentai
Battle Garegga
Zanac
Thunder Force III
Radient Silvergun
Gate of Thunder
DoDonPachi

If I had to pick just one...Soukyugurentai.

[ghostangelofcky]

r-type or life force get my vote

[Tron 2.0]

I notice ppl have mention MetalSlug,Contra,GunStar Heros i see those more as Run'n Gun type of games.
Hey what ever float your boat guys.

Here's my list.

Last Resort
Darius Gaiden
Coryoon pick this pce shooter a while back it's cute but fun.
Pulstar
Thunder Force 5
Gardius II Gofer it's when the serise started to heat up 8-)
Salamander/Life Force
Cotton Boomerrang
R-type
Sexy Parodius

[StealthLurker]

I love all shmups, horizontal & vertical, but one of my all time favorites just happens to be a sidescroller for the Genesis. Good luck on your quest for it!

Fire Mustang (Taito)

Japanese import only. Probably insanely expensive by now, if you can find it. You are an American P-51 Mustang pilot during WWII. The levels alternate between fighting the Germans and fighting the Japanese. The music is one of the best soundtracks that you'll ever hear on the Genesis. Totally manic, especially during all the boss fights. I still haven't beaten it yet, because you only get three continues and I've never found any codes for it. Very highly recommended. It's a total tragedy that it was never released in the states. But then the Japanese know how much we Americans would love to gloat over our victory again in a game like this. I'm sure that's why they kept it from us. Their grudge is so totally obvious. It kicks butt and takes names! Tons of parralax, just the right amount of powerups, and a real challenge. I think it's one of the greatest 16bit shmups ever made. A definite classic!

http://www.genesiscollective.com/ShowPage.php?GameLink=826

I am so glad that I got this game when I did. I bought it about 10 years ago brand new for only $50. I got the very last copy they had. Totally worth it!

Try YJ, $20 bucks they pop up fairly freq. After middle man and shipping around $40 USD.

If you want to talk about great shooters, need to mention more JPN Saturn shooters, JPN Dreamcast, even *gasp* JPN PS2 (although quite a few are just ports/sequels from sega saturn/psx versions), etc.

Yes Contra is a timeless classic but Metal Slug series is superior imho.

[FurinkanianFrood]

I doesn't seem like this thread will return back to it's original premise of 2d side scrolling shmups, but I think I will list some of my favorites within that specific realm, though I think I will ignore the forced vs. non-forced distinction.

Defender (when accurately representing the arcade version)
Super Fantasy Zone
Thunder Force series
Rayxanber 2+3 (never played 1)
Rtype 1+3
Salamander 1+2
Most of the Parodius games
Area 88
Winds of Thunder
Gate of Thunder
Hellfire (MD/Genny version)
Cotton Boomerang
Magical Chase
Sengoku Blade
Bio-hazard Battle

to name a few.... I'm quite bad at narrowing down favorites



BTW, EDF is an inferior game, sorry. I'm not sure why it's even being mentioned in this post.


Personally I don't much care for RSilvergun or Ikaruga, but I'm not about to say those don't belong, it's all a matter of taste. People can spend hours playing Divine Sealing or what have you for all I care. I learned to be respectful of opinions on message boards the hard way, believe me, it's not worth starting a war over....

Just ruins threads. Notice how noone is ranting endlessly about people talking about RunNGuns in this thread.

People put down Hellfire a lot, but frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

And so concludes my rant against ranting. Cheers!

[Balusilustalu]

Armalyte (C64) Probably my all time fave across all platforms.
Axelay (SNES) Especially the gorgeous level 2!
ThunderForce IV (MD)

I would add Final Soldier for the PC-Engine but that's a vertical scroller...

[cyberfluxor]

Most Taito & Capcom shooters. My absolute favorite thus far is Darius Gaiden (Saturn). I got the game a few months ago and just loved it to death. It replaced Aero Fighters (SNES) which in turn took over 1942 (NES). I'm not a hardcore scroller gamer, as into played everyone out there, but I do enjoy quite a few titles.

[segagamer]

Thunder Force series is my favorite. Also, I don't like to use the word "shump" but prefer "horizontal shooter" instead. I guess I'm old school.

[Abman]

My favorite would have to be Contra. My friend says Gunstar Heroes is awesome but I never had a chance to play it I really want to get around to it.

[Fighter17]

I love all shmups, horizontal & vertical, but one of my all time favorites just happens to be a sidescroller for the Genesis. Good luck on your quest for it!

Fire Mustang (Taito)

Japanese import only. Probably insanely expensive by now, if you can find it. You are an American P-51 Mustang pilot during WWII. The levels alternate between fighting the Germans and fighting the Japanese. The music is one of the best soundtracks that you'll ever hear on the Genesis. Totally manic, especially during all the boss fights. I still haven't beaten it yet, because you only get three continues and I've never found any codes for it. Very highly recommended. It's a total tragedy that it was never released in the states. But then the Japanese know how much we Americans would love to gloat over our victory again in a game like this. I'm sure that's why they kept it from us. Their grudge is so totally obvious. It kicks butt and takes names! Tons of parralax, just the right amount of powerups, and a real challenge. I think it's one of the greatest 16bit shmups ever made. A definite classic!

http://www.genesiscollective.com/ShowPage.php?GameLink=826

I am so glad that I got this game when I did. I bought it about 10 years ago brand new for only $50. I got the very last copy they had. Totally worth it!

I got this with Fire Shark (both Japanese copies and complete) for $50 with shipping from the UK. The game is good, but I found it to be too easy (it wasn't long when I 1CC it). Rare, well I don't think so.

My two favorite shoot 'em ups are:

Hozi: Lords of Thunder (TurboDuo version because the Sega CD version sucks).
Vertical: Battle Garegga (to me this game is just damn perfect).

Soukyugurentai and DoDonPachi are great as well. :)

I always found Radiant Silvergun to be the most overrated shooter ever!

The one game I really don't want to play is Last Resort because it's just a f***ing R-Type clone!

[drewbrim]

I'll be the third or fourth person to mention Lords of Thunder and the first to bring up Aero Blasters, love that game. And what is all this talk about Ikaruga and RSG? I thought this was limited to side scrollers?