Below The Radar Arcade Shooter Thread

What an awesome game, just played it for about an hour. I got to the forth stage with 460xxx points on my best run tonight with Hien. The graphics are amazing and as usual with the Sonic Wings series, the music rocks.

I'm kind of in a toss up as to which is the best in the series. It's between Limited and 3 but I'm leaning more towards Limited because it's vertical scrolling on a vertical monitor. It also includes some remixed levels/bosses from the other games, a very nice touch IMO. Video System sure knows how to make a shooter, that's for sure. Every game in the series is awesome.

Anyone else have this board?

EDIT: I guess the Saturn/Playstation version of the game is called Sonic Wings Special which has a bunch of differences from Limited. So yeah, Limited was exactly that as it's an arcade only release.

I remember when I first played 2 and learned the power of Dolphin. What a great day that was.

Yeah, if you're playing Sonic Wings he's Whity but on Aero Fighters he's Spanky.

Ok, I'm changing this up a bit since there doesn't seem to be much interest for Sonic Wings Limited. Great game none the less though.

I broke out a couple games I hadn't played in a while tonight. One of them was Eight Forces by Tecmo. Great vertical shooter from '94 but man is it difficult. It's not a bullet hell game but still gets pretty crazy in some parts. There are eight total planes but only four are available to player one while the other four are for player two. I had trouble making it past the fist stage on one credit, and that's saying something because I've been able to progress much further in many other shooters. The stages switch up their order with each play, something I think helps replay value. Graphics are nice and colorful with varied stage backgrounds. There is a bit of slowdown at times when there's an abundance of stuff on the screen but it's not Metal Slug 2 slow. This game was made right before bullet hell games started appearing on the scene so if you like old school shooters and are looking for a challenge check this one out.

The game I played isn't under the radar by any means but is one of my favorite shooters ever. Armed Police Batrider. What an epic game, perfect execution in every respect. Raizing/8ing really hit a home run here. I really like how they decided to have teams of ships instead of the traditional pick one ship and get three lives. The soundtrack, graphics and gameplay are all aces as well. Not much else to say about this one as I'm sure everyone's already familiar with it.

If you're a fan of an arcade shooter that doesn't get enough love, tell us about it and help spread the joy.

I'll chime in and support Sonic Wings Limited. Played it at Dave K's at a shmupmeet and the game was pure joy. Like Aerofighters 2/3 on steroids. Much more challenging, great boss selection, better enemy patterns. I only wish the PCB was less expensive.

Sincerely,

Mikhail

Outzone is pretty cool.

good idea for a thread as I enjoy shooters just cant afford most Cave games.

Xian Xi said:

Outzone is pretty cool.

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Yeah, Outzone is great. Clearly Toaplan knew what was up. I have yet to play Fixeight but I hear it's not as good as Outzone. Let's see, they also made V-Fire, Dogyuun, Tatsujin, Tatsujin Oh, Batsugun... and the list goes one. All pure gold.

Another below the radar shooter I've got and will recommend is Nebulas Ray. Namco isn't really known for their shooters but they really nailed it with this one. Nice backgrounds, interesting graphics and quite a bit of spoken dialog for this sort of game.

R-Shark is hard as balls! no hit box, and when you move left or right, the bullest move with you slighty, making bullet dodging very difficult. its very fun when you get a few levels in and start to get the feel of the game

The Chief said:

Yeah, Outzone is great. Clearly Toaplan knew what was up. I have yet to play Fixeight but I hear it's not as good as Outzone. Let's see, they also made V-Fire, Dogyuun, Tatsujin, Tatsujin Oh, Batsugun... and the list goes one. All pure gold.

Another below the radar shooter I've got and will recommend is Nebulas Ray. Namco isn't really known for their shooters but they really nailed it with this one. Nice backgrounds, interesting graphics and quite a bit of spoken dialog for this sort of game.

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Also I recently found out that Toaplan made my favorite shooter growing up, Sky Shark.

Dogyuun has one of the coolest soundtracks of any shooter, unfortunately sound is unemulated in MAME. You non PCB owners can however download the soundtrack from that Galbadia Hotel website. I think it's under "T" like Toaplan-Dogyuun

SamuraiShodownSensei said:

Dogyuun has one of the coolest soundtracks of any shooter, unfortunately sound is unemulated in MAME. You non PCB owners can however download the soundtrack from that Galbadia Hotel website. I think it's under "T" like Toaplan-Dogyuun

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Too bad the sound from the PCB sounded like shit if you compare it to the OST.

Neogeofan12 said:

Too bad the sound from the PCB sounded like shit if you compare it to the OST.

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actually no. Aside from the title track, the rest of the soundtrack is the same quality as the pcb.

+ 1 for the Dogyuun PCB sound track rocking.

I donno how under the radar it really is but I love hyper duel. that game impressed the hell out of me and id love to get my hands on the saturn version.

XcomplexzX said:

I donno how under the radar it really is but I love hyper duel. that game impressed the hell out of me and id love to get my hands on the saturn version.

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Never seen that one before but just went and looked up a video and it looks really cool. I'll have to add that to my want list, thanks.

Xian Xi said:

Outzone is pretty cool.

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My problem with Outzone is that the default weapon doesn't have a lock feature, if it did, man that game could be the greatest Toaplan game ever! I think it should lock when you hold the button down.

I'm particluary fond of Nostradamus and Shienryu, they're not obscure game per say but they do not get enough praise for sure.

I always hear a lot praise for the Galaga games, but Cosmo Gang never gets
mentioned.