Underrated shmups ?

[Takumaji]

I definitely agree with you on Dragon Blaze. I think that game is fantastic. I also really enjoy Sol Divide, which is why I love that 2 in 1 collection on PS2

I'm a Psikyo fan since the Strikers days, love their clean style a lot. DB is difficult as hell but it's also fun to play, the dragon charge attack and the excellent and colorful graphics always make me come back for more... still working on a 1cc run, haha... well, I don't think that I'll make it but I'll keep on trying anyway.

And yeah, the PS2 Psikyo Collections rule, well worth the money.

.

About Lords of Thunder and other games of its kind, well, they're console-only shmups, I guess that is why they don't get as much praise as arcade shmups that got ported to home consoles. The fact that Lords only came out for PCE/Duo and then got ported to Mega CD didn't help to increase its popularity.

 

[abasuto]

UN Squadron.

I still loved the SNES version, despite being slightly different (much easier) than the arcade version.

 

[themisterfalcon]

zomg dragon blaze!1

damn BIG, make an appearance now and again why don't ya?

 

[Kiel]

damn BIG, make an appearance now and again why don't ya?

Yeah, we've been wondering where you were.

 

[sketch]

I second Lords of Thunder. I realiize it is accessible only to hardcore shmup fans, but so is Gate of Thunder and that seems to get enough love. These two are probably my two all-time favorite shmups.

I never played too many in the arcade. They never seemed readily available (unless you count Asteroids, Galaga, Space Invaders, or other like old school shmups).

I also think Bio Hazard Battle on the Genesis/Megadrive is underrated. It's got great graphics, suprisingly good music, and solid gameplay.

 

[Darkfield]

Here are a few console shmups I dont know much about but I think they are great fun.

Dreamcast: Under Defeat
Sega Saturn: Soukyugurentai
Sega Saturn: Blast Wind
Sega CD: Android Assault
PC-Engine: Steam Hearts
NES: Abadox

 

[terry.330]

Spriggan Mark2
Mars Matrix
Rayxanber II & III
Zanac Neo
Sengoku Balde
Download 1 & 2

 

[norton9478]

I understand why trizeal doesn't get as much love as the other DC shooters..

But I think it's overlooked.

 

[Neo Alec]

Any Aleste game, including the old ones on SMS.

 

[RabbitTroop]

It's hard for me to say what is underrated and what isn't. I don't really follow shooters too closely, but one I never hear people talk about is Metal Black. That game is simply brilliant.

 

[Takumaji]

I understand why trizeal doesn't get as much love as the other DC shooters..

But I think it's overlooked.

Just like Trigger Heart Excelica, another cool game that gets rarely mentioned.

I really enjoy flinging enemy ships around and into other enemies, overall the scoring system is right my cup of tea. Graphics and presentation aren't all that great though, they could have put in a little more variety and style but that's only a minor gripe on my part.

Maybe the ranking system (called V.B.A.S. = Variable Boss Attack System in the game) puts people off but it's not as bad as in Garegga or certain Psikyo shmups IMO. For example, if you reach the end of a stage without losing a life or with a certain amount of bonus points, bosses will have an additional form after the main boss creature. As this can be a problem in later stages, some players have developed strats dealing with ship suicide/sacrifice to bring the ranking down again, followed by amassing bonus points to counter the loss with 1ups. Bit on the drastic side but it does the trick.

 

[Comrade Porn King Mikhail]

I second Lords of Thunder. I realiize it is accessible only to hardcore shmup fans, but so is Gate of Thunder and that seems to get enough love. These two are probably my two all-time favorite shmups.

Now that they're available on the Wii, these two superb classics should be available to lots of more fans. Heck, I've even been considering ditching my PC Engine, to clear up space for the Wii.

Another overlooked game for the SNES is Axelay. Very cool bosses and level design, along with the memorable 16-bit SNES color palette.

Sincerely,

Mikhail

 

[hermosaguy]

I understand why trizeal doesn't get as much love as the other DC shooters..

But I think it's overlooked.

Trizeal is definitely overlooked. I hope they bring out the shooter they released last year....can't remember the name. But last I remember it was like 1 or 2 people working at Triangle Service, so hopefully that doesn't discourage them from making great games down the road.

 

[Ajax]

space mega force.

fucking awesome.

Yeah, word. Gotta agree with this. Aero Fighters is cool too. Last Resort, for sure.

 

[Comrade Porn King Mikhail]

Dude, I remember Space Megaforce coming out in the same issue of Nintendo Power as Axelay. Finally got a chance to play it this year as Super Aleste and major disappointment. Axelay is so much better in terms of music, graphics, and level design.

Megaforce does show off some good scoring and action qualities, but the level design is bland and the game just looks washed out. It goes downhill quickly after the first level's excitement, just like Zed Blade

Eliminate Down on the Genny is a rare hidden gem, not a $250 gem, but one worth tracking down to try out.

Sincerely,

Mikhail

 

[Moon Jump]

A comic. From me to you about one of our favorite SHMUPS, perfect for Earth Day.

 

[Ajax]

Is that Sqoon? If so, awesome. That game is cool as well. EDIT: Nevermind, I didn't actually read it. I saw something about the sea and thought that's what it was based on. Then I saw fire in one of the backgrounds.

Also, Silkworm.

 

[Neo Alec]

Megaforce does show off some good scoring and action qualities, but the level design is bland and the game just looks washed out. It goes downhill quickly after the first level's excitement, just like Zed Blade

That's what other people have told me, and to be honest at first I was a little underwhelmed with Super Aleste too. But give it some time. It's a solid shooter for its time, even if it isn't at all flashy like Axelay. There are many others who share this opinion.

 

[WoodyXP]

It's hard for me to say what is underrated and what isn't. I don't really follow shooters too closely, but one I never hear people talk about is Metal Black. That game is simply brilliant.

I love that game. I think some of the guys that worked on that game worked on Border Down too.. there's some stuff in that game that reminds me of Metal Black.

I think 'Air Busters' is underrated. I dig it more than most people I talk to. 'Final Soldier' for PCE seems to be one of the lesser liked games in the 'Soldier' series but I can't get enough of that game. I even play it more than 'Soldier Blade'.

 

[abasuto]

I've noticed alot of people give GigaWings a sub-par rating, but it's quickly become one of my favorites.

 

[Poison Sama]

I've noticed alot of people give GigaWings a sub-par rating, but it's quickly become one of my favorites.

Giga Wing 2 is great.

 

[Kiel]

Giga Wing 2 is great.

More than great, its fucking fantastic.

And I'll put up another vote for Download, what an awesome game with stupifyingly good engrish.

 

[beh3moth]

Gynoug/Wings of Wor for the Megadrive/Genesis.

Fast paced, awesome long levels and massive bosses!

 

[Kiken]

Trizeal is definitely overlooked. I hope they bring out the shooter they released last year....can't remember the name. But last I remember it was like 1 or 2 people working at Triangle Service, so hopefully that doesn't discourage them from making great games down the road.

That would Exzeal, which is part of Shooting Love 2007. And as a company, Triangle Service is mainly just Fujino-san.

And I do agree that Trizeal gets a lot of unnecessary heat. It's a well designed game that's fairly fun to play. It just has a really plain look about it.

 

[FilthyRear]

Some underrated games i dont think have been mentioned yet:

Whip Rush (Genesis)
Final Blaster (PCE)
Image Fight (arcade)
Crisis Force (NES)