Top 20 Shoot 'em Ups (SHMUPS)

[Captain Wrong]

OK, this was on the main board for a while, but what the hey! Let's start a new one. It'd be best to mention an individual game rather than just saying "Gradius series" or something like that. I'll edit the list as we go along. You can mention systems or not.

Air Zonk (PCE, TG-16)
Axelay (SNES)
Battle Garegga (Saturn JPN, arcade)
Carrier Air Wing (Arcade)
Dodonpachi (Arcade, PSX JPN, Saturn JPN)
Einhander (PSX)
Gradius III (Arcade, PS2, SNES)
Ikaruga (DC JPN)
M.U.S.H.A. (Genesis)
Pulsar (Neo-Geo)
Radiant Silvergun (Saturn JPN)
Raystorm (PSX, Saturn as Layer Section II)
R-Type (Arcade)
Sonic Wings Special (Saturn, PSX)
Spriggan (PCE)
Strikers 1945 II (Saturn JPN)
Thunderforce IV (aka US Lighteningforce) (Genesis)
Truxton (Arcade, Genesis)
Twinkle Star Sprites (NeoGeo, DC, Saturn)
Xevious (Arcade, many home systems)

[retrogmr]

Okay, some thoughts:

- Lose Gunbird 2 in favor of Spriggan for PC-Engine. Easily a WAY better shooter, and not so impossibly hard.
- Lose Raiden II, insert Xevious. A truly classic shooter that for all intents started the genre... or at least made it a bit more mainstream.

That is all

[Captain Wrong]

I was actually having a tough time deciding between Raiden and Xevious, but you swayed me. The only reason I didn't have Xevious on in the first place is I hate the music! Still, you're right, it's every bit a classic.

I really need to check out Spriggan. But I have heard lots of good things about it, and Gunbird 2 is basically Strikers with wacky characters, so I won't argue with that one.

Keep 'em coming folks!

[drumguy79]

I LOVE Gain Ground, but why is on the Shump List? There is some shooting involved, but it's more strategy than shump.
I say toss this one and insert Truxton for Genesis. This is the game that got me into the genre. We dug it out this summer and played for 2-3 hours everyday. This game has infinite replay value and is wicked fun.

[Ascending Wordsmith]

Here's my list... in no order or course!

1. Carrier Air Wing (arcade)
2. Strike Gunner STG (arcade)
3. S.C.A.T (NES)
4. UN Squadron (arcade)
5. Task Force Harrier EX (Genesis)
6. 1943 Kai (arcade)
7. Gate of Thunder (Turbo Grafx)
8. Apache 3 (arcade)
9. Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (Turbo Grafx)
10. Raiden Fighters Jet (arcade)
11. Air Buster (arcade)
12. Silk Worm (arcade)
13. Airwolf (arcade)
14. In the Hunt (arcade)
15. Sexy Parodius (Saturn)
16. Aero Fighters (arcade)
17. Aero Fighters II (arcade)
18. Fire Sharks (arcade)
19. Time Pilot (arcade)
20. Axelay (SNES)

[ubersaurus]

this is domestic only or something? Because I see no Radiant Silvergun! I say take out Life Force for it.

[Captain Wrong]

@drumguy79, Gain Ground always struck me as more shmuppy than anything else, kind of like Gun.Smoke. How ever, I can switch it with Truxton, as that game rocks too, and is a bit more traditional.

@PC Kwajalein, good list. I knew I forgot some. how did I forget axelay??!? Sonic Wings Special is a remix of all three of the Areo Fighters so I kind of got that in there. Since your list and mine are pretty different, what should I change to add some more in.

@ubersarus, nope, all regions. RS isn't listed because I haven't played it and I started the list. What should we lose to work it in?

[Ascending Wordsmith]

@ Captain Wrong

My list has only a few I would recommend to the top 20.

First, get rid of the Strikers 1945 II. It disappointed me that the cool boss vehicles turned into robots after taking considerable damage. The aircraft carrier is an example. Why can't it just stay as a carrier instead of transforming into a giant robot? The train, the airship, and the giant seaplane all take on robotic forms... and it annoys me.

With that game gone, add Carrier Air Wing in its place. At least the bosses stay in one form.


Carrier Air Wing

I must also ask you to make room for S.C.A.T.. This is the first shooter using actual humans (space marines) as the combatants. In addition to their primary weapon, the marines had orbital cannons revolving around them. They could be locked in any position, or allowed to go freelance. Yep... ditch Life Force! As long as we've got Gradius III up there, Life Force can be sacrificed for S.C.A.T.

[Captain Wrong]

Ooh! Man, I REALLY like Strikers 1945 II. Care to make a second choice.

And I'll take out Life Force for either Radiant Silvergun (as per ubersarus) or Carrier Air Wing (as per PC Kwajalein) depending on who has the most compelling argument. (PS I like the screen shots! )

[Ascending Wordsmith]

Well, I haven't played Radiant Silvergun (partly because I'm not shelling out $175 for it) for the Saturn, but I'll try to make a case for Carrier Air Wing.

I like Carrier Air Wing because of the layout. I pick from either an F-14 Tomcat, F-18 Hornet, or an A-6 Intruder to use during the game. Each aircraft comes with its own highs and lows depending in the attack. The F-14 is the superior air-to-air fighter, while the A-6 makes mincemeat out of all the ground huggers that oppose you. The F-18 has a better mix of the two.

Then I get briefed by a whitebearded commander that could pass for Sean Connery's brother. After which, I get to pick from some kickass ordnance, and then I'm catapulted off the carrier deck.

The highly detailed stages that the battles take place on are extremely varied. Not only do you fight high above the clouds, but you go through snow covered forests, sweltering deserts, Greek islands, rocky shorelines, polar icecaps, and even downtown Tokyo.




Just about every piece of military hardware has been brought against you. Some of the Russian planes like the MiG-29's, Su-35's, and Su-25's are on the game. American aircraft like the B-2 (stealth bomber), F-117 (stealth fighter), E-767 (AWACS), and the super elusive YF-23 (next generation stealth fighter) are also on the game along with other real life aircraft. (please note the realism as your homing missiles do NOT lock onto stealth aircraft!) There's even some very cool fictional planes and bosses too.



Of course there are excellent powerups too. Some optimized for ground assault, others made for aerial confrontations. Fuel replenishment items are given to you when you shoot down certain enemies colored orange.

I realize that most gamers would side with Radiant Silvergun and it's not a surprise as it's a great shooter. But give me my Carrier Air Wing... I've got a knack for the classics.

*sits down and waits for the closing argument from the other party*

[Arcade Antics]

Two quick comments:

1) Great list!!

2) I've been curious about Twinkle Star Sprites for a while. It's that good? What have I been missing out on? Guessing I need to pick this one up the next time I spot it :wink:

[Captain Wrong]

@PC, wait a sec, is that the same game as UN Squadron on SNES? If it is then, whoo-hoo! I agree, it's spiff!

@AA, the best way to describe TSS, it's like Bust a Move/Puzzle Bobble plus Puzzle Fighter plus a vertical shooter. a Puz 'em up if you will. You play against another player and try to shoot colored chains and when you do you send various attacks to your opponent. (Or opponentos as the game says, the English version has the best SNKglish/Engrish of all time!)

Based on the games you like, I think you'd love it!

Here's a page about it giving a good description and screen shots.

http://www.classicgaming.com/shmups/...winklestar.htm

BTW, you can get it for NeoGeo ($$$), Dreamcast, or an enhanced Saturn version. The Saturn version only runs in Japanese and is a bit more expensive than the DC. (I'm gonna get you importing yet!)

[Arcade Antics]

A "Puzz-em-up" ?? Whoo-hoo! I'm SO there! Thanks for the heads-up!!

[Ascending Wordsmith]

Carrier Air Wing came after UN Squadron. The former is a pumped up version of the latter. If you play Carrier Air Wing, then play UN Squadron right after, you'll see how much better the first one is

[The Brown Eye]

I'd put either Raystorm or Gate of Thunder in Viewpoint's place. For me, Viewpoint isn't as good now as it was back then. Maybe stick Bangai-O in there somewhere too. Otherwise, great list!

[Kid Ice]

How come Ikaruga and no Radiant Silvergun?

the kid

[MankeyMan]

Can you put the console up next to the game. I've never heard of Battle Garegga before, and if it's that good, I want to know what to get it for.

[Captain Wrong]

done and done! Help me out folks, if I messed something up.

BTW, Mankey, Battle Garegga is on Saturn and is really good. It's one of the higher priced shmups (not quite a RS or Steam Hearts though) but it's worth it IMHO.

[Ascending Wordsmith]

Hey, Cap'n... replace the Parodius with Air Zonk. I still think that Parodius, Gradius, and Lifeforce are all basically the same game. Parodius is just Gradius with pole dancers, octopi, and penguins.

Air Zonk is the first shooter I played on my Turbo Graphx-16. Zonk (a futuristic Bonk) goes through stages, blasting enemies with some of the craziest weapons I've ever seen. Zonk can also merge with his friends (such as a cow or gumball machine) to create even more outrageous weapon combinations!

Go ahead Cap'n, place Air Zonk in place of Parodius. As long as Gradius is up there, Parodius is represented... along with Life Force, Nemesis, Vulcan Venture, and Salamander 2.


Air Zonk belongs in the top 20

[Captain Wrong]

Fair enough.

(Man, I gotta invest a little more in my pathetic TG-16 collection. So many great games, and I've never played them.)