List your Shmups!

[klausien]

Having just listed my racing games, I figured I would start this thread to see what fellow shmuppers out there have in their collections. Shmups are probably my favorite genre. Forgive me if this topic has already been started. I am listing the very shmuppy Run 'N Gun games like Contra, Metal Slug, et all as well. Also including games like AfterBurner, StarFox, etc.

Atari 2600:

Air Sea Battle
Asteroids
River Raid

NES US:

Abadox
Adventures of Dino Riki
AfterBurner
Air Fortress
Alien Syndrome
Alpha Mission
Burai Fighter
Cabal
Contra
Super C
Contra Force
Cybernoid
Dragon Spirit: The New Legend
Fantasy Zone
Galaga
The Guardian Legend
Gun Nac
Image Fight
Jackal
King's Knight
Legendary Wings
S.C.A.T.
Section Z
Sky Shark
Sqoon
Star Force
Starship Hector
Star Soldier
Stinger
Terra Cresta
Thundercade
Tiger Heli
Zanac

NES JPN:

Raid on Bungeling Bay

TurboDuo US:

AeroBlasters
Blazing Lazers
Bloody Wolf
Dragon Spirit
Galaga '90
R-Type
SideArms
Soldier Blade
Space Harrier
Super Star Soldier
Veigues Tactical Gladiator
Gate of Thunder (SCD)
Lords of Thunder (SCD)

TurboDuo JPN:

CyberCore
Final Soldier
Gradius
Nexzr (CD)
Seirei Senshi Spriggan (CD)
Super Darius (CD)

SMS US:

Cloud Master

SMS EU:

Sagaia

Sega Genesis US:

Air Buster
Air Diver
Arrow Flash
Atomic Robo Kid
Atomic Runner
Battle Squadron
Bio Hazard Battle
Burning Force
Contra Hard Corps
CrossFire
Dynamite Duke
Elemental Master
Final Zone
Fire Shark
Forgotten Worlds
Gaiares
Galaxy Force II
G-LOC Air Battle
Granada
Grind Stormer
Gunstar Heroes
HellFire
Insector X
Mega Turrican
Mercs
M.U.S.H.A.
Phelios
Raiden Trad
Ranger X
Rambo III
Red Zone
Sagaia
Sol Deace
Soldiers of Fortune
Space Harrier II
Steer Empire
Steel Talons
Sub Terrania
Super Thunder Blade
Target Earth
Task Force Harrier EX
ThunderForce II
ThunderForce III
Lightening Force
Trouble Shooter
Truxton
Turrican
Twin Cobra
Vapor Trail
Viewpoint
Whip Rush
Wings of Wor

Sega Genesis JPN:

Fire Mustang

Sega Genesis EU:

Alien Soldier

Sega CD:

Android Assault
Lords of Thunder
Robo Aleste
Silpheed
Sol Feace
Soul Star

32X:

Kolibri
Shadow Squadron
Star Wars Arcade

SNES:

Axelay
Biometal
BlaZeon
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Cybernator
Darius Twin
D-Force
Super EDF
Firepower 2000
GunForce
HyperZone
Imperium
Lock On
Metal Warriors
Operation Logic Bomb
Phalanx
Pocky & Rocky
Raiden Trad
R-Type III: The Third Lightning
Space Invaders
Space MegaForce
Star Fox
Steel Talons
Strike Gunner S.T.G.
Super Nova
Super Turrican
Thunder Spirits
Total Carnage
UN Squadron
Vortex
Wild Guns

Sega Saturn US:

Darius Gaiden
Galactic Attack
In the Hunt
Panzer Dragoon
Panzer Dragoon Zwei
Sega Ages (AfterBurner II, Space Harrier)

Sega Saturn JPN:

Cotton 2
Cotton Boomerang
Darius 2
DonPachi
DoDonPachi
Galaxy Force 2
Gradius Deluxe Pack
Metal Slug
Radiant Silvergun
Silhouette Mirage
Sky Target
Soukyugurentai Otokuyo
ThunderForce V

Sony PSOne US:

Asteroids
Atari Anniversary Edition Redux (various)
Contra: Legacy of War
C: A Contra Adventure
Einhander
Galaga: Destination Earth
G Darius
Gekioh Shooting King
In the Hunt
Jupiter Strike
Konami Arcade Classics (various)
Namco Museum Vol. 1 (various)
Namco Museum Vol. 2 (various)
Namco Museum Vol. 3 (various)
Namco Museum Vol. 4 (various)
Namco Museum Vol. 5 (various)
Nanotek Warrior
N2O: Nitrous Oxide
NovaStorm
Omega Boost
Philosoma
R-Types
R-Type Delta
The Raiden Project
RayStorm
RayCrisis: Series Termination
Shooter: Space Shot
Shooter: Starfighter Sanvein
Silhouette Mirage
Sol Divide
StarBlade Alpha
ThunderForce V: Perfect System
Total Eclipse Turbo
Viewpoint
Xevious 3D/G+

Sony PSOne JPN:

Astro Trooper Vanark
Galaxian 3
Gradius Gaiden
Gunners' Heaven
Internal Section
Metal Slug X
Namco Museum Encore (various)
Night Striker
Strikers 1945 II
Star Ixiom
TwinBee Deluxe Pack
ZanacXZanac

N64 US:

Robotron 64
Space Invaders
StarFox 64
Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth

N64 JPN:

Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaioh
Sin and Punishment

Sega Dreamacast US:

Bangai-O
Cannon Spike
GigaWing
GigaWing 2
GunBird 2
Mars Matrix

Sega Dreamacast JPN:

Ikaruga

NGPC:

Metal Slug: 1st Mission
Metal Slug: 2nd Mission

Game Boy/GBC US:

Gradius Interstellar Assault
Nemesis
Operation C
R-Type DX
SolarStriker

Game Boy/GBC JPN:

Sagaia

Game Boy Advance US:

Classic NES: Xevious
Gradius Galaxies
Gunstar Super Heroes
Iridion 3D
Iridion 2
Pocky & Rocky with Becky
Sega Arcade Collection

Game Boy Advance JPN:

Darius R

Sony PS2:

Contra: Shattered Soldier
Neo Contra
Gradius III & IV
Gradius V
GunGrave
GunGrave Overdose
Metal Slug 4 & 5
Namco Museum (various)
Rez
R-Type Final
Sega Classics Collection (various)
Silpheed:The Lost Planet
SkyGunner

GameCube US:

Ikaruga
P.N. 03
Space Raiders

GameCube JPN:

Star Soldier

Microsoft XBox:

Capcom Classics Collection (various)
Metal Slug 3
Midway Arcade Treasures (various)
Midway Arcade Treasures 2 (various)
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Taito Legends (various)
Tecmo Classic Arcade (various)

Virtual Boy US:

Red Alarm

Virtual Boy JPN:

Vertical Force

Atari Lynx:

Blue Lightning
Gates of Zendocon
Steel Talons
Zarlor Mercenary

Game Gear JPN:

Gunstar Heroes

[roushimsx]

I like pictures so here's what I have on hand that I can think of right now (somewhat older pictures, but I can't think of too much that's not in here)

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5471/10033285vp.th.jpg (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10033285vp.jpg)http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5396/10033290ez.th.jpg (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10033290ez.jpg)http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3720/10033302di.th.jpg (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10033302di.jpg)
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6466/10033319aj.th.jpg (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10033319aj.jpg)http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2695/10033322vb.th.jpg (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10033322vb.jpg)http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/9829/10033335hn.th.jpg (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10033335hn.jpg)
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8256/10041347za.th.jpg (http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10041347za.jpg)

Didn't snap any run n gun stuff (with the possible exception of Assault Suits Leynos II. There's a fun one to classify as anything other than "balls to the wall action"), but I did include boarderliners like Galaxy Force II (but not PS2 Space Harrier or the Panzer Dragoon Games. Why? WHO KNOWS? OMG). I'll get around to updating these photos sometime :)

(notable missing stuff from these pictures: all of my US Saturn and NES games)

Also didn't include any borderline stuff like Neo Contra, which still kicks ass but like most run n guns, offer a bit too much freedom for me to really classify them as shmups. But hey, Fantasy Zone for PS2 kicks mad ass.

edit - oh lord, i included the most excellent but not hardline shmup Shooter Starfighter Sanvein in there! I HAVE NO STANDARDS

[CosmicMonkey]

Dreamcast -
NTSC-J
Border Down
Mars Matrix
Trizeal
Ikaruga
Chaos Field
Psyvarier 2
Zero Gunner 2
Shikigami no Shiro 2
Giga Wing 2
Gun Spike
Radilgy (preorder)

PAL
Gunbird 2
Giga Wing

Saturn -
NTSC-J
Cotton 2
Cotton Boomerang
Radiant Silvergun
Battle Garegga
Thunder Force V
Detana Twinbee Yahho! Deluxe Pack
Parodius Deluxe Pack
Layer Section
Assault Suit Leynos 2
Donpachi
DoDonpachi
Blast Wind
Kingdom Grandprix
Soukyugurentai
Strikers 1945
Sengoku Blaede
Macross
Darius Gaiden

NTSC-U
Panzer Dragoon
Panzer Dragoon Zwei

PSone -
NTSC-J
Harmful Park
Cotton Original
Gaia Seed
Einhander
R-Types
R-Type Delta
Gunners Heaven
Kyuiin
Gradius Gaiden

PAL
Strikers 1945 2

NeoGeo -
Pulstar
Blazing Star
Last Resort
Metal Slugs 1 - 6
Prehistoric Isle 2
Strikers 1945+
Sonic Wings 2
Sonic Wings 3
Zed Blade
ASO II
Twinkle Star Sprites
ViewPoint

PC Engine -
NTSC-J
Super Star Sldier
Soldier Blade
Final Soldier
Star Parodia
Magical Chase
Gate of Thunder
Winds of Thunder
Side Arms Special
Twinbee
Dai-sen-Pu Custom
R-Type I
R-Type II
Dragon Spirit
Final Blaster
Darius Plus
Spriggan
Cotton

Megadrive -
NTSC-J
Thunder Force III
Thunder Force IV
Gunstar Heroes
Gynoug
MUSHA Aleste
Gley Lancer
Twinkle Tale
Contra: Hard Corps

Mega CD -
NTSC-J
Silpheed
Sol-Feace
Dennin Aleste
Keio's Flying Squadron
Bari-Arm

PAL
Lords of Thunder

I think that's all of them. Bit of a shooter fan, as you can probably tell. Need to get a CPS2 consolized for some Progear action.

[Ed Oscuro]

SHMUPS - Ugh, this is a genre I like more as time goes along, but haven't messed with it much so far.

I know the original topic lists Contra and such (hey, I've got two of the rarest Contras ever made - Hard Corps Mega Drive/Jp and Super C on PC), but I'm not going to get into this. These sorts of person-based action game I like more than spaceship shooters but I don't have the time to list them so...nope.

SG-1000
Zoom 909 (Space Harrier format game, my favorite SG game so far, with Sega Ninja, Girl's Garden and HERO somewhat farther behind).

Atari 2600
Space Invaders and, uh, some other stuff.

FM Towns
Viewpoint

x68000
A-Jax
Gradius II
Phalanx
Salamander
Space Harrier
Thunder Force II
*bunches of other shooters/Imperial Arms (I think) that I don't remember the names of or haven't had shipped go here*

Genesis
Galaxy Force
???

Mega Drive
Thunder Force II (I think)

NES
Air Fortress
Defender II
Jackal (one of my favorite NES games)
Life Force
Don't have Crisis Force :(

PC-Engine
Space Harrier

Saturn
PD Saga (import)

PlayStation
Sol Divide (yuck!)

Hmm, that list's pretty small!

I do have some pretty awesome non-game items for SHMUPS, though: the Japanese guide for G-Darius (PlayStation release) and the Darius LP (!!)

[Dire 51]

NES:

Gradius
Gradius II
Life Force

SNES:

Gradius III
Axelay
U.N. Squadron
Super R-Type

Genesis:

Truxton
Thunder Force II
Thunder Force III
Thunder Force IV (not calling it Lightening Force, damn it)
Forgotten Worlds
Phelios
Gaiares
MUSHA
Air Buster
Insector -X

PSX:

Gradius Deluxe Pack
Gradius Gaiden
Salamander Deluxe Pack Plus
Thunder Force V Perfect System

PS2:

Gradius III & IV
Gradius V

plus some on several assorted PSX and PS2 comps.

Wow, I used to have a lot more than this... :(

[TurboGenesis]

Ok here it goes:

NES:
Stinger
Gradius
Life Force
Zanac
The Guardian Legend (use password TGL ;) )
Abadox
Alpha Mission
Star Force
Image Fight
Sqoon
Dragon Spirit

SMS:
R-Type
Cloud Master
Bomber Raid
Aerial Assult

Turbo/PC Engine:
Blazing Lazers
R-Type
Fantasy Zone
Dragon Spirit
Galaga '90
Ordyne
Deep Blue
Super Star Soldier
Aero Blasters
Psychosis
Veigus Tactical Gladiator (well it's labeled as a shootie ;) )
Sinistron
Raiden
Dead Moon
Soldier Blade
Air Zonk
Magical Chase
Final Zone (CD Graphics shooting game :P )
Gate of Thunder
Lords of Thunder
Cotton
Terraforming
Rayxanber II
Rayxanber III
Gradius II Gofer
Darius Plus
Aldynes

Genesis:
Arrow Flash
Whip Rush
Gaiares
Vapor Trail
Forgotten Worlds
Truxton
Thunder Force II
Thunder Force III
Lightning Force
Elemental Master
Bio Hazard Battle
MUSHA
Insector X
Sagaia
Battle Squadron
Raiden Trad
Fire Shark

SNES:
Gradius III
Axelay
UN Squadron
Darius Twin
Blazeon
Earth Defence Force
Phalanx
Strike Gunner STG
Space Megaforce
Super Nova
R-Type III

Neo Geo AES:
Ghost Pilots
Alpha Mission II
Andro Dunos

Saturn US:
Galactic Attack
Darius Gaiden

Saturn JP:
Soukyugurentai Otokuyo
Radiant Silvergun
Twin Bee Deluxe Pack
Shinryu
Gekirinden
Sonic Wings Special
Super Dimension Force Macross
Thunder Force Gold Pack 1
Blast Wind
Hyper Duel

Playstation US:
Total Eclipse
Viewpoint
In the Hunt
Zero Divide (Phalanx :D )
Eihander
R-Types
R-Type Delta
G Darius
Raystorm
Gekioh: Shooting King
Mobile Light Force

Playstation JP:
Gaia Seed
Harmful Park
Geppy-X
Zanac X Zanac
Thunder Force V

N64:
Star Soldier Vanishing Earth

Dreamcast US:
Giga Wing
Giga Wing 2
Gunbird 2
Mars Matrix
Bangai-O
Armada

Dreamcast JP:
Mars Matrix
Ikaruga
Border Down
Psyvariar 2
Chaos Field

Gamecube:
Ikaruga
Chaos Field (soon!)
Star Soldier (JP)

Playstation 2 US:
Gradius III & IV
Gradius V
Silpheed: The Lost Planet
R-Type Final
Mobile Light Force 2
Castle Shikigami 2

Playstation 2 JP:
ESPGaluda
Mushihimesama
Twinkle Star Sprites: La petite Princess
Giga Wing Generations
Psikyo Collection 3: Sol Divide/Dragon Blaze
Raiden III

I didn't list rail shooties such as Space Harrier, Rez, Aftrerburner etc.

[DigitalSpace]

I've got a decent list, if somewhat small.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8797/neslogo26yb.gif

Star Soldier

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/8732/genesislogo02.jpg

Contra Hard Corps
Final Zone
Granada
Gunstar Heroes
Mega Turrican
Mercs
Sub-Terrania
Thunder Force II
Truxton

http://img78.exs.cx/img78/70/sneslogo03.jpg

Axelay
Darius Twin
Firepower 2000
Gradius III
Phalanx
R-Type III
Realm
Soldiers Of Fortune
Space Megaforce
Star Fox
Super R-Type
Super Smash TV

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/1823/pslogo.jpg

Gekioh: Shooting King

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/3023/ps2logo01.jpg

Castle Shikigami 2
R-Type Final

Plus a few on these compilations:

Activision Anthology
Atari Anthology
Capcom Classics Collection
Midway Arcade Treasures
Midway Arcade Treasures 2
Namco Museum
Taito Legends

http://img40.exs.cx/img40/7588/gclogo.jpg

Alien Hominid
Ikaruga

http://img199.exs.cx/img199/7623/gblogo2bo.jpg

Nemesis
Operation C
Solar Striker

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4695/gbclogo15so.jpg

R-Type DX

http://img199.exs.cx/img199/9227/gbalogo030il.jpg

Strike Force Hydra
Xevious (Classic NES Series)

Plus a few on these compilations:

Activision Anthology
Konami Collector's Series: Arcade Advanced
Namco Museum

[Eternal Champion]

Oh, baby. Well, I can't add anything, but how about arcade? Raiden II kicks all ass combined; you can't beat the toothpaste weapon. Was there a DX version, or am I thinking of Raiden DX?

Is this on any home system? This should be a GBA game. I think I like it more than Space Megaforce...maybe.
http://www.trzy.org/raiden2/17.png

[Xexyz]

^ Raiden Project, a launch PS1 title. it's a longbox only title, contains arcade perfect ports of both Raiden & Raiden II, and is quite rare and worth a bit of mula.

Also, just curious, but why are people listing Contra, Gunstar Heroes, Bangai-O etc. as shmups? Maybe Bangai-O, but they're not really shmups, more like borderliners.

[TurboGenesis]

Oh, baby. Well, I can't add anything, but how about arcade? Raiden II kicks all ass combined; you can't beat the toothpaste weapon. Was there a DX version, or am I thinking of Raiden DX?

Is this on any home system? This should be a GBA game. I think I like it more than Space Megaforce...maybe.


Raiden DX is available on the Playstation (Japanese).

[Bloodreign]

I can't compare as my collection has just begun, but here's what I have thus far:

PS 2 Gradius V
PS 2 Gradius 3/4
PS 2 R-Type Final
PSX Raystorm
GBA Gradius Galaxies
PS 2 Taito Legends (has some shmuppy goodness on it, but TL2 will have more)
SNES Contra 3
Genesis Contra Hardcore (but the Contras are borderliner shmups)
PS 2 Capcom Classics Collection (forgot about that one)

[whoisKeel]

- NES -
Gyruss
Galaga
Gradius
Lifeforce
Tiger Heli
1972
Xevious
GunSmoke
Zanac
Image Fight
Star Force
Star Soldier

- SNES -
Gradius III
Raiden Trad
Darius Twin
Super RType
RType III

- GENESIS -
Twin Cobra
Air Buster

- PCE -
Galaga '88
Dragon Spirite
Blazing Lazers

Gate of Thunder
Lords of Thunder
Gradius II

- PSX -
G Darius
RayCrisis
Konami Arcade Classics
Einhander

- SATURN -
DoDonPachi
Soukyugurentai

- DREAMCAST -
Bangai-o
Mars Matrix

- GC -
Ikaruga
Midway Arcade

- PS2 -
Gradius V
Castle Shikigami 2
Capcom Classics

- GB -
Gradius Galaxies

[CYRiX]

so this is what this genre is called! lol I need to get a library of these games I love playing raiden in the arcade.


The only one I got is an R-Type for SNES

[Retsudo]

Gradius 3
Phalanx
Tiger Heli
Darius Gaiden
Galatic Attack
Capcom Classics Collection

[Eternal Champion]

so this is what this genre is called! lol

Back in the day I just called them "space games". I first heard "shmups" 2 years ago.

So why are Contra or Gunstar Heroes not shmups? What exactly is the definition of shmup?

[Captain Wrong]

- NES -
...
1972
...

Is that the one where you drive around in a VW Microbus shooting "the man"? ;)

I'll get around to listing my stuff eventually. I don't have much really exciting though other than my Armed Police Batrider PCB. 75% of my favorties never got a home port, and I've been rather lazy (and poor) about tracking the boards down.

[klausien]

so this is what this genre is called! lol

Back in the day I just called them "space games". I first heard "shmups" 2 years ago.

So why are Contra or Gunstar Heroes not shmups? What exactly is the definition of shmup?

If you go to http://www.shmups.com, the guy who runs the site, Malc, has a nice definition of what is considered a "shmup", obviously short for shoot 'em up. Here is some of what he has to say:

"Shmup is SHORT for Shoot 'Em Up, not different than it. I have always felt that the definition on this site in the FAQ is good for explaining "What is a Shmup?", but is a bit limited and too exclusive for me to except as completely definitive.

I personally feel that any game in which you have LIMITED CONTROL OF MOVEMENT, whether it be on the X, Y or Z axis, and within which the goal is to BLOW THINGS UP while DODGING FIRE constitutes a "SHMUP".

Under this umbrella, there are various TYPES:

Vertical: Raiden, Strikers, Ikaruga, etc.
Horizontal: Gradius, ThunderForce, R-Type, etc.
Free-Directional: Robotron 2084, Fantasy Zone, Smash TV, Bangai-O, etc.
Free Directional Run 'N Gun: Mercs, Bloody Wolf,
Horizontal Run 'N Gun: Contra, Gunstar Heroes, Metal Slug, etc.
Z-Axis: Space Harrier, AfterBurner, Panzer Dragoon, Rez, etc.

FPS's like Quake, Simulators like Ace Combat and Colony Wars, and Car Combat games like Twisted Metal have shmup qualities at times, but are not Shmups.

In all the examples of shmups above, the basic premise is the same: Fire Continuously and Dodge, Dodge, Dodge. THAT is what makes a SHMUP. The manner in which you do it can vary, but being limited to 8-directional movement, no matter which way you scroll, all while mashing (or holding) a fire button to destroy targets with a stream of gunfire is what it's all about. Having to jump doesn't take the shmup out of a game in my eyes. Having to worry about moving in 3D SPACE takes things out of the running. It is all about where the main focus of the gameplay lies. The Mega Man series, though incredibly shmuppy is not a shmup because the game is more about plaforming than shooting. Contra on the other hand is focused on the shooting.

I could defend or refute any game as to it being a shmup. I think everyone out there, though they have there own opinion, can at least understand where I'm coming from."

I agree with this for the most part, but personally consider games like AfterBurner, Space Harrier, Panzer Dragoon, Rez, etc. to be "shmups". On the shmups forums, there is an extensive argument over this every so often. Most disagree with Malc on the idea that Run 'N Guns like Contra are shmups. Has to do with the Jump button.

Like most things, everyone has their own opinion. :)

[Ed Oscuro]

Contra isn't about platforming? How far did this guy play it? It's less of a platformer than Mega Man, sure, but it's still got lots of platforming to do.

What about Chelnov? Fixed scrolling speed, you basically bounce up and down (dodge) up and dowards.

I think one element of the games known as "shmups" is that you can move more or less freely in those 8 directions. In Contra or Chelnov (as well as in Mega Man) you jump up and then you come back down. A spaceship, jet, or the biplane in Prehistoric Isle in 1930 *usually* can defy gravity, and by default move in eight directions freely. In Contra and Chelnov you can't, even though there is lots of dodging to be had.

[dreamcaster]

I'd say his definition is a bit too open.

I define traditional shmups as horizontally or vertically aligned scrolling that is forced, and the player takes control of a vehicle of some description, and is forced to shoot waves of oncoming enemies.

This would classify such traditional games as Gradius, Darius, R-Type, Radiant Silvergun etc. as pure SHMUPS, as they fit the description to the letter.

However, from this core defintion, we can expand into other areas which are based on this definition, but have key elements changed.

There are many titles which could be classified as non-traditional shmups. Fantasy Zone and Bangai-O being primary examples. They both embody every traditional aspect of a shmup, yet they do not have forced scrolling. As such, they are an untraditional shmup.

You can then expand into the 3D Shmup, a genre that is essentially a shmup presented in 3D - primary examples being Panzer Dragoon and StarFox. They employ every convention of a shmup, and merely represent it in 3D. N.B. whilst I have classifed this as a sub genre, I personally rarely associate these titles with the term 'shmup'.

This is as far as I would go however. 'Run and gun' games like Gunstar Heroes, Metal Slug and Contra are NOT shmups. Aside from pumelling your enemies with bullets, they have little in common with traditional shmups and are too much of a stretch to include them. I personally classify these titles as 'action platformers', as they are based on the humble platforming game, and add shooting and explosions to the mix.

However, at the end of the day, this is just another opinion, though I would like to say it's a little more logical and reasoned.

Anyway! Now for my shmup collection (traditional and untraditional):

GameCube
Ikaruga

PlayStation
R-Type Delta
RayStorm
Sonic Wings Special
Strikers 1945 II

PlayStation 2
Gradius III & IV
Gunbird Special Edition
R-Type Final
Steel Dragon EX
XII Stag

Atari 2600
River Raid II

Dreamcast
Bangai-O

Master System
Bomber Raid
Fantasy Zone
R-Type
Sagaia

NES
Gradius

Mega CD
Silpheed

Super NES
Axelay
Darius Twin
R-Type III
Super R-Type
U.N. Squadron

Mega Drive
Thunder Force IV

[Lord Contaminous]

NES
-----
1942
1943
Stinger
Top Gun
Heavy Barrel
Contra
Super C
Contra Force
Dragon Spirit
Zanac
Tiger Heli
Guerilla War
Thundercade
Isolated Warrior
S.C.A.T.
Guardian Legend
Image Fight
Ikari Warriors
Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road
Magmax
Gradius
Jackal
Alpha Mission
Cabal
Captain Skyhawk
King's Knight
Legendary Wings
Star Force
Star Soldier

Famicom
---------
Galg
Gradius II
Dragon Spirit
Star Luster
Star Force
Super Star Force
Handful of nice shooters on my ###-in-1 pirate Famicom multicart such as B-Wings, Volguard II, Argus, Macross, Twinbee, Exed Exes/Savage Bees, and Transformers

Master System
----------------
Aerial Assault
Astro Warrior
Action Fighter

Turbografx 16
---------------
R-Type

PC Engine CD
--------------
Red (Last) Alert
Final Zone II

Sega Genesis
----------------
Earth Defense (Unlicensed)
Bio Hazard Battle
Raiden Trad
Forgotten Worlds
Ranger X
Gunstar Heroes
Midnight Resistance
Rambo III
Dinosaurs for Hire
Thunder Force II
Turrican
Mega Turrican

Sega Mega Drive (Japanese)
Master of Weapon

Sega CD
---------
Silpheed
Robo Aleste

Game Boy
----------
Solar Striker
Nemesis

Neo Geo
---------
Last Resort

Super NES
------------
Thunder Spirits
Gradius III
Contra III
Super Turrican
Time Slip

Super Famicom
------------------
Kidou Soukou Dion (AKA "Imperium")
Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie

PS2
----
Gradius III & IV
Gradius V
Gungrave: Overdose

[Eternal Champion]

I'd say his definition is a bit too open.
This is as far as I would go however. 'Run and gun' games like Gunstar Heroes, Metal Slug and Contra are NOT shmups. Aside from pumelling your enemies with bullets, they have little in common with traditional shmups and are too much of a stretch to include them. I personally classify these titles as 'action platformers', as they are based on the humble platforming game, and add shooting and explosions to the mix.
I wouldn't say that Gunstar and Metal Slug, et al have little in common with shmups, as they do involve an assload of shooting, but I do agree that they are platformers more than anything.

What about Starfox?

[dreamcaster]

What about Starfox?

You can then expand into the 3D Shmup, a genre that is essentially a shmup presented in 3D - primary examples being Panzer Dragoon and StarFox. They employ every convention of a shmup, and merely represent it in 3D.

[AlexKidd]

atari 2600

phoenix
solaris
demon attack
asteroids
space invaders
plaque attack
river raid

nes

star soldier
lifeforce
gradius
gyruss
zanac
sky shark
galaga
millipede
dragon spirit

sms

bomber raid
astro warrior
r-type
cloud master
fantasy zone
space harrier

genesis

thunderforce 2
thunderforce 3
gaiares
fire shark
truxton

turbografx

blazing lazers
lords of thunder
gate of thunder
galaga '90
forgotten worlds
side arms
dragon spirit
aero blasters

snes

gradius 3
super r-type
axelay

psx

einhander

ps2

r-type final
gradius 5

cube

ikaruga

[TurboGenesis]

I'd say his definition is a bit too open.

I define traditional shmups as horizontally or vertically aligned scrolling that is forced, and the player takes control of a vehicle of some description, and is forced to shoot waves of oncoming enemies.


What about Viewpoint :P

Anyways I consider games like Contra and Turrican "platform shooters". It is these types of games that have evolved in to today's FPS. Real simple, take Contra and make it 3D and then put it in a first person perspective. There, now you have FPS Contra. (Note to Konami-PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS)

Games like Thunderblade, Panzer Dragoon and Star Fox are "rail shooters" as in the whole rail effect thing and limited movement.

Interesting games that I really cannot catogorize would be Space Harrier and Cannon Spike. Space Harrier is really unique as it is trully rail free and you have the whole 8 directional thing. I guess it really would be a trully 3D shooter. Cannon Spike basically puts you in a room and has you shoot everything until the boss comes and then upon defeat of the boss you basically go on to the next "room".

[idrougge]

X-out (ZX Spectrum)
Xenon (C64)
Salamander (MSX)
Scramble spirits (Mastersystem)
Exocet (2600)
Zaxxon (2600, Intellivision)
Recca/Summer carnival (Famiclone)

If this seems like little, then that's because I don't mind pirate copies.

[TEND]

How do you guys feel about Pocky and Rocky being classified as a shmup? No fixed scrolling, no vehicle, but it's not really platforming, plus tell me that shooting is not the whole point of the game.

[Eternal Champion]

Real simple, take Contra and make it 3D and then put it in a first person perspective. There, now you have FPS Contra. (Note to Konami-PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS)
I dunno, a 3-D FPS version of Contra could kick some serious ass, but I suppose that particular genre has been glutted. Still could be cool, though.

[Ed Oscuro]

Real simple, take Contra and make it 3D and then put it in a first person perspective. There, now you have FPS Contra. (Note to Konami-PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS)
I dunno, a 3-D FPS version of Contra could kick some serious ass, but I suppose that particular genre has been glutted. Still could be cool, though.
No.

Give us CONTRAVANIA!

[mr_nihilism]

NES:

1942
1943

SNES:

U.N. Squadron

PSX:

Einhander
G Darius

GameCube:

Ikaruga