I got my last domestic (traditional) shooter for the SNES this weekend...

Aero Fighters (aka Sonic Wings)

It was originally a a JAMMA-compatible arcade game that was only ported to the SNES. It was followed by two sequels, Aero Fighters 2 and Aero Fighters 3 (Sonic Wings 2 and 3) for the Neo-Geo only, with a re-mixed verison containing elements of all three games appearing on the Saturn as Sonic Wings Special (with a cool mini-CD of music included.)

This SNES game was a bitch to find! It hasn't appeared on Ebay in forever, or Half.com, or any of the well-known internet marketers. I looked in the DP guide... it's an R7. BuyRite videogames claimed to have it, and I had looked so long for this game I even considered using them even though they are one of the worst retailers (of anything) that I have ever encountered. I ordered it from them (delivered COD... I'm not giving those thieves any of my CC numbers) but of course it never arrived and they never responded.

I went to my old stand-by, McVans Video Games. It wasn't listed on their website, but I wrote them an e-mail and they responded quickly saying that they had it in stock. These guys are a bit pricey ($32 plus $6 shipping) but very nice and professional and the game came right away (how about ditching that big-ass sticker x_x on the back of tha cart, guys? It tore the hell out of the label.)

My first thoughts were that this game was nothing but a mediocre Raiden rip-off. I've picked it up and played it a few times since then, though, and now I realize it's actually pretty good. Raiden on the SNES isn't so hot, and Aero Fighters doesn't suffer from the ridiculous slowdown that plagues Raiden. It has sucked me in and I am going to beat that damn boss any day now...

I've decided to start getting into the Genesis next... thanks for the input, dudes! (and dude-ettes)