Any essential portable shmups?

[Austin]

Hey guys,

I've been considering getting myself a GBA or DS lately, as I've been having to ride the subway every day and would love something to keep me occupied for ten to fifteen minutes at a time.

I'd rather stay away from games that require more of a time commitment (even though I will be picking up and playing the Fire Emblem games in time.) I'm a huge shooter/shmup fan, and I was wondering if there were any great ones for the handheld systems? I've only ever really been familiar with the console territory.

Many thanks!
Austin

[*Rin*]

Medal of Honor Infiltrator>> that's a lot like old=school arcade games

Star Wars: Flight of the Falcon

Iridion II

...and this isn't a shooter but kingdom hearts chain of memories is a really good one.

[heybtbm]

There's Nanostray for the DS. Probably the best portable shump there is (until the Gradius compilation for PSP comes out).

[Sailorneorune]

Shooters: Nanostray and Iridion II seconded.

Games with shooting: Gunstar Super Heroes, Metroid Zero Mission.

Not shooters: Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap.

[dbiersdorf]

There's just isn't a lot of them out there.

Nanostray for DS is ok I guess, I thought it was really bad in terms of shumps. Avoid R-Type III as well, that's supposed to be a terrible port.

I'd say you're best bet is Sigma Star Saga, and even that only has shump sequences (it's an RPG mostly). Astro Boy for GBA also has some shmup like missions, but are more action oritented and don't involve a whole lot of dodging and precision.

[lol monster]

There's Nanostray for the DS. Probably the best portable shump there is (until the Gradius compilation for PSP comes out).

do you know when that comes stateside?

[milhouseOFpain]

Sengoku ACE? is also available for PSP. Play Asia was selling it failry cheap recently.

[Lady Jaye]

Gradius Galaxies. 'Nuff said.

[DTJAAAAMJSLM]

Gradius Portable should be coming out in Japan pretty soon for the PSP. Sounds good to me since it has Gradius 1-4 and Gaiden all on one UMD.

[keiblerfan69]

Gradius Portable should be coming out in Japan pretty soon for the PSP. Sounds good to me since it has Gradius 1-4 and Gaiden all on one UMD.

That is worth an import.

[goatdan]

Personally, I've really really enjoyed Nanostray for the DS.

[fishsandwich]

Star Wars: Flight of the Falcon

Iridion II



Iridion II is AWESOME. Way better than the original.

Star Wars: FotF, on the other hand, is terrible. The graphics are great... TOO great. This is one slow, slow game that stutters like hell when there are more than 3 things on the screen.

[Ed Oscuro]

I think Silver Star Saga is decent...not essential, however, and the action sequences can take up a good amount of time due to the save point system.

[DigitalSpace]

Original Game Boy:
Nemesis (part of the Gradius series)
Solar Striker

Game Boy Color:
R-Type DX
1942

Game Boy Advance:
Gradius Galaxies
Strike Force Hydra
Namco Museum (Galaga and Galaxian)

[klausien]

Gradius Galaxies. 'Nuff said.

Good call! Probably the best one out there right now. All of the Shinen games are gorgeous, but have severe balancing issues.

[Damaramu]

Phalanx is also good on the GBA.

[CosmicMonkey]

Gunstar Super Heroes, Metal Slug Advance and Metal Slug GBA (conversion of MS1), when it comes out. Should keep you going for a bit of Run n' Gun action.

It would seem Contra Advance is crap though. Gutted.

[rjohnson]

nanostray

Iridion II

Good stuff...

Great graphics on Nanostray... picked it up B4 xmas for $15 at TRU...

[milhouseOFpain]

I think Silver Star Saga is decent...not essential, however, and the action sequences can take up a good amount of time due to the save point system.


SIGMA Star Saga