Collecting PS1 shmups?

[Austin]

Hello!

Howdy, kids. Thanks to Ikaruga, Gradius, Castle Shikigami, and the other various shmups for the current consoles, and the dreamcast goodies like Mars Matrix and GigaWing, I've been getting more and more addicted to the genre. I've done very little collecting for the PS1, and recently discovered there's something near a ton of shmups released for the system. I was hoping some fans here could help me put together a list of what's grabbing and what's not so good? Here's what I know of so far (any titles I'm missing would be appreciated):

Einhander
G Darius
Gekioh: Shooting King
Mobile Light Force
Ray Crisis
Raystorm
R-Types
Strikers 1945
Thunder Force V
Viewpoint

Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Which of these are the best? I really want to stick to domestic US releases. I prefer vertical shooters, but I am definitely open to horizontal ones if they come reccomended. ;)

Many thanks!
Austin

[norkusa]

Add Raiden Project to that list. It's a bit pricey (around $50-$60 for a nice, complete copy) but it's hella fun. One of the best shooters on the PS1

Viewpoint isn't that great. I just got it few months ago from someone here on DP and thought it was pretty average. Hear that the NeoGeo (or even Genesis) version is better.

[Xexyz]

Add R-Type Delta to the list too.

Also, In the Hunt has a PS1 release, but it is pretty rare. The Saturn release would be easier to find in the wild.

And if you're seriously enjoying the genre, I suggest looking into an import Saturn or import PS2 in the future. Both systems host a good variety of modern shmups, as well as some classics. When it comes to domestic releases, most shmups these days that actually get a western release are either butchured (see Mobile Light Force 1 & 2) or at the least, something is taken out of them. Rarely will a shmup get a U.S. release with a TATE option. And mostof the best shmups (I.E. all of Cave's offerings) seem to stay in Japan with no chance of a domestic release

[KingCobra]

In the Hunt=Metal Slug style :love:

Mint Long box are Rare!

[dreamcaster]

There's also Strikers 1945 II and Sonic Wings Special. The latter is a personal favourite of mine.

I know they're also on Saturn, but the PSX iterations are MUCH easier/cheaper to find.

[evil_genius]

In the Hunt=Metal Slug style :love:

Mint Long box are Rare!

Question for those of you that have played both the PS1 and Saturn versions of this game, which one is better? (better in terms of grapics and slowdown)

[Haoie]

Hey, I'm doing the same thing. Only recently got into it, thank you very much Mr Einhander for making me an addict.

You should get the J version of Einhander [which I have], it's quite different gameplaywise from the US. All the gunpods have different configurations for starters.

[hydr0x]

In the Hunt=Metal Slug style :love:

Mint Long box are Rare!

Question for those of you that have played both the PS1 and Saturn versions of this game, which one is better? (better in terms of grapics and slowdown)

i haven't played it but i think i remember reading about the PS1 version being better, don't call me on that though ;)

[lendelin]

Xevious 3D/G+
Philosoma
Nanotek Warrior
N2O: Nitrous Oxide

are also titles worthwhile having and playing.

[CosmicMonkey]

Harmful Park is an excellent Japanese cute 'em up. Very good and the background graphics are very comical.

Gaia Seed looks like it should be running on a Mega CD, but it's great too.

Cotton Original / Marchen Cotton 100% are conversions of the PCE/SFami versions of Cotton. More great cute 'em up action with the pink haired witch on a broom.

If you're an anime fan, you could try 70s Giant Robot Anime: Geppy-X. 4 disks full of shmuppery and a parody anime.

Kyuiin / Vacuum Kids is great and yes, it's cute too ;) You're flying along on a vacuum cleaner, and you can suck-up the baddies. Excellent.

All these are Japanese.

And I too recommend R-Types/Delta and Einhander.

[roushimsx]

Another vote for:
R Type Delta
Einhander
Raiden Project
In the Hunt
Philosoma

Philosoma in particular is interesting because it's pretty much every single style of shmup rolled into one game. One stage has you doing a behind the back view like Novastorm, one has a side view like Darius, top down like Raiden, isometric like Zaxxon, etc etc etc. There's even bottom up views and chase cams. GOLD.

on the importing front, Raiden DX is a must get (budget rerelease!), Soukyugurentai is still fun even with the slowdown (you know, like Gekioh) and has a budget rerelease, and Night Raid, while graphically disappointing and a little loose on the control, kicks an extreme amount of ass.

[Dire 51]

You'd be doing yourself a disservice if you decided to check out some import PSX shmups and NOT consider Gradius Gaiden. The game is absolutely fantastic... definitely one of the best Gradius games ever created.

On the domestic front, I have to second most of the games listed here. I used to own most of them, and out of all the shmups I had in my domestic PSX collection, R-Types, R-Type Delta, Einhander, G-Darius, Strikers 1945 and Philosoma got the most playtime from me, with Raiden Project, Xevious 3D/G+, RayStorm and RayCrisis coming in right behind those.

The only domestic shmup I have left for the PSX now is ThunderForce V Perfect System, so that's what I'm playing nowadays on the PSX. I'll get the rest back, eventually.

[TurboGenesis]

If your willing to import, may i suggest Zanac X Zanac. I find it to be a great shootie. I contains Zanac Neo, a new original shootie, and the original Zanac from the Famicom/NES.

One to avoid like the plague--Sol Divide :puke: DO NOT PLAY THIS GAME!

Otherwise I have to agree with pretty much everyone else on here. Many great shooties mentioned.

[robotriot]

Sanvein is another weird shmup btw, I personally like it, but I can see how it doesn't match everyone's taste.
Then there's also the more conventional X2, but I think it's PAL only.

[burnt toast]

i found an awful PSX shump in a second hand shop one day, the somewhat non-classic strike force hydra.

it looks like it had been made in a free ware game maker and the sound is pure midi. its not awesome. not at all. its not even that funny, just dull.

i also got strikers 1945 2 on the same day tho so i wasnt too bothered, turning the montior/tv on its side is a must tho. so much better to play in the rotated mode.

[Spartacus]

Sanvein is another weird shmup btw, I personally like it, but I can see how it doesn't match everyone's taste.
Then there's also the more conventional X2, but I think it's PAL only.

There's two Shooter games that had a domestic release. Shooter: Starfighter Sanvein that you mentioned and Shooter: Space Shot. About the only other domestic games I can think of are Galaga: Destination Earth and Tempest X3. And depending how picky you are about what a shmup is, there's Silhouette Mirage and Metal Slug X.

X2: No Relief was also released in Japan. I just picked it up and enjoy it. It rotates between horizontal and vertical much like Axelay did.


Some other's released in Japan include...
Air Grave and Stahlfeder

The Capcom Generations 1 & 2 gives you 1942,1943,Kai,Vulgus & Exed Eyes

Choaniki got a Playstation release.

Both Dodonpachi and Donpachi are there and some argue they are better playing than the Saturn versions.

Game Paradise 2 is a short sequel to Saturn's Game Paradise that I enjoyed.

Gatchaman: The Shooting - I just bought this one and am anxious to see it!

Image Fight/X-Multiply - tough old school

Macross: Do You Remember Love? - a little flying robot shooting

There's quite a few from the Parodius series - Sexy Parodius, Forever With Me, and the Deluxe Pack

There's also the Salamander Deluxe Pack and the Twin Bee Deluxe Pack

There's a couple from the Time Bokan series - Bokan Desu Yo! and Bokan to Ippatsu

And finally there's the Toaplan Shooting Battle, which I haven't gotten yet, but Toaplan usually makes great shooter's.

[poloplayr]

http://users.pandora.be/twin-dreams/Sony_Systems.html

[klausien]

You really need to import for some of the best stuff, all of which has already been mentioned. Here is what I recommend:

Gradius Gaiden - JP (a true must have; may be coming for US PSP)
ZanacXZanac - JP
Any of the Konami Deluxe Packs, though Twinbee is a matter of taste - JP
Namco Museum Encore - Dragon Saber - JP
Cotton 100% - JP (conversion of SNES game)
Cotton - JP (arcade version)
Soukyugurentai - JP (not as good as the Saturn version, but still worth every penny)
ThunderForce V - US (see above)
Einhander - US
R-Types - US
R-Type Delta - US
RayStorm - US
RayCrisis - US
G Darius - US
Xevious 3D/G+ - US (also includes Xevious, Super Xevious, and Xevious Arrangement)

[MetalFRO]

Has anyone compiled a full list of domestic (i.e. North American) shmups released for the original PlayStation? I know I lack Thunder Force V, a complete non-long box copy of In The Hunt, and the budget NA release of Strikers 1945, but otherwise, I think I've nearly got a complete set of US-released shmups for the system. I'd like to verify that, so if anyone knows of an exhaustive list, it would be extremely helpful ;)

[celerystalker]

I haven't seen a couple listed yet...
Gekioh: Shooting King-a port of Shienryu
Mobile Light Force-a stripped-down Gunbird missing the story, but plays pretty well
Metaphlist-slow but just about unknown import

Edit: I take it back, Gekioh and Mobile Light Force were there. Domestically, you've got a pretty complete list here. Since you've done the dreamcast and playstation, next look at Saturn, PC Engine, or a Japanese PS2. With those, you'll have so many shooters you'll be sick of 'em and have to switch to run & guns or beat 'em ups.

[Arkanoid_Katamari]

I should get into these. I love schmups but I am horrible at them. Horrible. And I'm sure there's some inexpensive PS1 schmups.

By the way, where did the term PSX come from? It just seems so uunnatural

[Edmond Dantes]

To my understanding, the term "PSX" came from Sony themselves. They originally thought of calling the console the Playstation X because they thought just "Playstation (no X)" sounded like a kids' toy. They changed their minds tho, but the X stuck in acronyms.

Altho now PSX means something else so it gets confusing.

Incidentally I notice a lot of posters say Zanac X Zanac is import-only... and they seem to be right. What's weird is I'm almost positive I saw a domestic version at a local game store once, but I must be getting it confused with Xevious 3D+G

[Koa Zo]

Zanac X Zanac never had an English packaged disc release.

[otaku]

shmups are great and for the generation prior to dreamcast the psx is the place to be I suppose I've not got around to it really having not been that into shmups when I had a psx. You definetly want to do some importing when it comes to shmups sometimes it saves you $$$ other times its the only way to get some of the best shmups. In the hunt is great I've only played on saturn though. Other nice thing about shmups though they can be rare and expensive they tend to hold or gain in value and the replay value of course is huge! I believe its been discussed elsewhere but some are saying the genre is in decline which I find surprising given some releases on pc and the consoles via downloads etc. I'm not that into the scene though.

Here is a good question what is a good arcade stick for these games on psx?

[celerystalker]

I like the X-Arcade 2 player stick for mine. It's pretty great.

[Leo_A]

I don't see Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits listed. Easy to take this one for granted, but it has excellent versions of Defender and Stargate.

They're not shooters, but it also emulates Bubbles and Joust very well. I recommend to go elsewhere though for Robotron 2084 to have dual analog control and Sinistar so that you're not limited to a d-pad's 8 directions.

[jammajup]

Yeah there are a load of good ones but G-Darius is the one that got my attention,choosing your route,Big bosses,big weapons and capture balls which allow some variance in how you attack.The music is awesome as well and sets the mood.
Some other PS1 2D shooters here - http://www.racketboy.com/retro/phenominal-playstation-ps1-2d-shooters-shmups-library

[Clownzilla]

I have to 2nd the Cho Aniki suggestion. It's the greatest homoerotic SHMUP you will ever play.

[MetalFRO]

I know I'm once again resurrecting this old thread, but I'm even closer now to achieving a complete set of North American PSX shmups. Questions:


Nanotech Warrior looks like a cross between Wipeout and N2O - could anyone who has played it confirm this? I'm not opposed to this kind of "tunnel shmup", because I have and enjoy N2O, and now Tempest X3 as of a few weeks ago. But I don't consider it a true shmup in the traditional sense, and as such, it would be considered a peripheral shmup to the main collection.
Are there any other 2D or 2.5D arena shooters like Shooter: Sanvein? I'm not familiar with any others on the PSX, so if I'm missing something, I'd like to find it.
Are there any collections or compilations for the PSX that contain shmups, other than the Namco Museum series? I have Vol. 1 & 3, so other than the 1 or 2 shmpus per disc on the other volumes, I don't know that I'm missing any other non-dedicated shmup releases.
I have the cardboard long-box version of In the Hunt, and I'm aware that there's supposed to be a jewel case version, though I've not seen one in the wild. Does anyone know if there's a plastic long-box version of the game as well? The same question would apply to Philosoma (did it get anything other than the cardboard long-box release?), and Raiden Project in reverse, i.e. I have the plastic long-box version, was there ever a cardboard long-box and/or jewel case version?

[celerystalker]

I know I'm once again resurrecting this old thread, but I'm even closer now to achieving a complete set of North American PSX shmups. Questions:


Nanotech Warrior looks like a cross between Wipeout and N2O - could anyone who has played it confirm this? I'm not opposed to this kind of "tunnel shmup", because I have and enjoy N2O, and now Tempest X3 as of a few weeks ago. But I don't consider it a true shmup in the traditional sense, and as such, it would be considered a peripheral shmup to the main collection.
Are there any other 2D or 2.5D arena shooters like Shooter: Sanvein? I'm not familiar with any others on the PSX, so if I'm missing something, I'd like to find it.
Are there any collections or compilations for the PSX that contain shmups, other than the Namco Museum series? I have Vol. 1 & 3, so other than the 1 or 2 shmpus per disc on the other volumes, I don't know that I'm missing any other non-dedicated shmup releases.
I have the cardboard long-box version of In the Hunt, and I'm aware that there's supposed to be a jewel case version, though I've not seen one in the wild. Does anyone know if there's a plastic long-box version of the game as well? The same question would apply to Philosoma (did it get anything other than the cardboard long-box release?), and Raiden Project in reverse, i.e. I have the plastic long-box version, was there ever a cardboard long-box and/or jewel case version?


I've seen the jewel case In the Hunt, but own the same long box you do. The only plastic long box for it I've seen is the standard Saturn release, but it plays better on PS1.

As far as compilations go, the Arcade Party Pack had Smash TV, which is an arena shooter. The Arcade's Greatest Hits line had some, too... the Williams disc had both Defenders, Sinistron, and Robotron. The first Atari disc had Asteroids and Centipede. The second Atari pack had Millipede. Konami Arcade Classics had Time Pilot, Scramble, and Gyruss.

[Scissors]

I know I'm once again resurrecting this old thread, but I'm even closer now to achieving a complete set of North American PSX shmups. Questions:


Nanotech Warrior looks like a cross between Wipeout and N2O - could anyone who has played it confirm this? I'm not opposed to this kind of "tunnel shmup", because I have and enjoy N2O, and now Tempest X3 as of a few weeks ago. But I don't consider it a true shmup in the traditional sense, and as such, it would be considered a peripheral shmup to the main collection.
Are there any other 2D or 2.5D arena shooters like Shooter: Sanvein? I'm not familiar with any others on the PSX, so if I'm missing something, I'd like to find it.
Are there any collections or compilations for the PSX that contain shmups, other than the Namco Museum series? I have Vol. 1 & 3, so other than the 1 or 2 shmpus per disc on the other volumes, I don't know that I'm missing any other non-dedicated shmup releases.
I have the cardboard long-box version of In the Hunt, and I'm aware that there's supposed to be a jewel case version, though I've not seen one in the wild. Does anyone know if there's a plastic long-box version of the game as well? The same question would apply to Philosoma (did it get anything other than the cardboard long-box release?), and Raiden Project in reverse, i.e. I have the plastic long-box version, was there ever a cardboard long-box and/or jewel case version?


1. Nanotek Warrior is a similar game, but if I recall correctly, you spend most of the game on the outside of the tube instead of the inside. I think it's pretty good. I liked it better than N2O.

2. I can't think of anything off the top of my head.

3. I can think of Konami Arcade Classics and Activision Classics. Are you only looking for US releases? There are a few Japanese ones.

4. Here are all the known longbox releases:

http://www.game-rave.com/psx_galleries/gal_psx_longbox/index.htm