Most satisfying or cathartic shooters or shmups

[Diatribal Deity]

Not sure if this is going to make any sense to most people, but here goes...there seems to be certain games or game moments that emit a gratifying or visceral feeling everytime you play them.

I think I first experienced this playing the classic arcade shmup Phoenix where the birds would just rip in half when you shot them.

Another somewhat odd title that struck me was moments in the much despised Time Commando...

So my question is:

What is the earliest or latest game (or game moment) that struck or hit some visceral nerve in you (caused or causes a weird moment of satisfaction)?

[Rob2600]

For me, it's Star Fox 64. There's just somethng about that game...the music, voice acting, graphics, scoring system, control...everything comes together perfectly.

Taking down a whole group of enemy ships with one shot is satisfying. So is gunning down the Star Wolf team.

[Kyle15]

Sin and Punishment on the N64. Its Treasure, what do you expect?
(Biohazard on the GC is a good mention.)

Although, I am playing Panzer Dragoon Saga for the first time. It "hits the spot" just as well.

[retroman]

my favorite to this day is still Gates Of Thunder for the TurboDuo. Good graphs, awsome music, good sounds. and great gameplay. A must have in my book.

[Aussie2B]

my favorite to this day is still Gates Of Thunder for the TurboDuo. Good graphs, awsome music, good sounds. and great gameplay. A must have in my book.

That's the first shooter I thought of too. Everything about Gate of Thunder is completely over-the-top, and there isn't a dull moment in the whole game. From the beginning of the first stage you know what you're getting into with the shots streaming across the screen, the huge battleship descending upon you, leaving you to fight it out for the rest of the stage in claustrophobic quarters. Just really cool, slick stuff.

[smork]

I always got the most visceral thrills out of "One" for the PS1. The more you shoot, the stronger you get, and the enemies just keep coming. Plus the voiceovers egging you on "Somebody stop this guy!"

On a modern console, the winner for me is EDF 2 or 3 for me. You, some small weapons and maybe a buddy versus hundreds of enemies, some of which are 1000s of times larger than you. So pure, just action. The moment my buddy and I finally took down I think it was level 51 on EDF 3 on inferno was possibly the most exhilarating moment of my gaming life.

[chrisbid]

in the day, guerilla war for the NES hit the spot. the explosions were therapeutic

[PresidentLeever]

Winning a 1h+ game of Starcraft with evenly skilled players, when you've focused your entire being on winning the game... It seems like no gaming experience could come close. Until you watch the replay, see everyones mistakes and realize that it could've been a much better game :P

[phreakindee]

In Raiden II, the purple "toothpaste" laser weapon. It is perfect, and half the time I play it just for that feeling of it completely powered up, sizzling all the ships on screen to bits instantly.

[AB Positive]

On the Shmup side, which I think this counts, put me down for Rez. Something about having a great technoish bass beat which builds and builds with more melodies as you shoot more - in time to the music. It's like an eargasm.

Similarly, although not a shmup - beating a trickly level in Yoomp! for the Atari 8-bit line. Again - brilliant use of music to integrate it in... well I don't know what kind of game I'd call Yoomp! other than "fun"

[The Clonus Horror]

-Demon Attack and Worm War I for 2600
-Zanac & Jackyl for NES

[The Clonus Horror]

Also...how could I forget SPIDER FIGHTER for 2600!

[scooterb23]

When you nail that stupid Qotile in Yars' Revenge. And the entire screen lights up, and that bizarre "music" plays. That's a moment that still pumps me up a bit.

[Gapporin]

In Raiden II, the purple "toothpaste" laser weapon. It is perfect, and half the time I play it just for that feeling of it completely powered up, sizzling all the ships on screen to bits instantly.

I think any shooter with lasers and mass destruction is a good combination.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Truxton.

One of my favorite Genesis titles and shoot em ups'.

Great pace, great music, and when you get your weapons maxed out everyting on the screen is at your mercy.

[PresidentLeever]

I always enjoy throwing enemies down pits or off elevators in Streets of Rage 1 & 3. Wonder why they didn't have those in 2? Or am I forgetting some?

[phreakindee]

Man, Streets of Rage is another of those. But even more: FIGHTING FORCE on PS1. Wow, why didn't they ever make another one of those?! (#2 for Dreamcast didn't count, not even close) My favorite 3D brawler, I love that freaking game. Still come back to it to beat it again and again

[tom]

Phoenix for me too, getting to that mothership was such a thrill.
After that it was a computer shmup, The Tail of Beta Lyrae, still unsurpassed, and, of course, The Final Legacy (both A8 btw)