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... )

[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/Sho...p?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*