Top 5 shooters (or 10...5 of each OK)

Top 5
Hi all, looking for some imput as to what *your* top 5 STGs might be.

This isn't an argument thread: just what do you like, and why. It could even be top 5 hori & top 5 vert, if you like shooting as much as I do lol.

What I hope this thread does is generate a great batch of 'best ofs' so that we may all catch a few that fell thru the cracks, and find some new (to us) adventures.

Tate top 5:
1) mushihimesama futari 360. This is one of the most robust ports I've ever played. Great options settings, wonderful gameplay, myriad of modes, & music TDF.

2) Raiden II arcade. My fav of the 'modern jet' shooties. The music and fit & finish were/are so rad. The little pieces of debris that deform the ground below on stage 1 blew my mind at the time of its release.

3) SkyShark arcade (cocktail cab). My favorite of the 'propeller plane era'. This is the game that got me addicted to STGs. 'Nuff said.

4) Gyruss arcade. An oldie, but a goodie for sure. Addicting, simple gameplay; like the PacMan of shooters.

5) GUWANGE 360. I always loved the motif and superlative design of this game in the arcade. Gameplay seemed nerfed to me, and was a turn off. 360 mode changed all of that. Now with twinstck controls, this walk 'em up is in my hall of fame.

Yoko top 5 now printing...

I have't played that wide of a breadth of games compared to most here, but here goes...

1) Gradius III - Love this game since I was in high school. Still pop this game in from time to time again. It's got so many classic things from old space shooters (fetus in space, moai statues), this game is a classic.

2) Prehistoric Isle 2 - Is it the most challenging? No. Is it fun though? Fuck yes. COuld never get into the whole aspect of playing a game to challenge myself, once it stops becoming fun, it's work and I do enough of that. This game was designed to be enjoyable and does a great job.

3) Esp RaDe - Love this fucking game. Hellafun from start to finish. Just enough intricacy & difficulty to keep it interesting but not enough to give you a royal ass fucking.

4) ProGear - Still my favorite CPS2 game to this date and should remain that way. Haven't been able to clear over 6M (Think I topped at 5.7M one) but that's not how I usually play games. It's just plenty of fun with just enough variety on the gunners and ships to keep me coming back to try new ways of playing.

5) Dragon Blade - Favorite Psyiko shooter I've played. Never played a game where you could dismount your ship and keep shooting, so the mechanic is tons of fun.

6) Dimahoo - Had to list this, it's too good not to be.

I'll also give props to Ibara and Batrider (BUTTRIDERL!) though I don't own them and haven't given proper play as such.

1:1943: The Battle of Midway: This game brings back memories of stopping by the corner store in my neighborhood, killing time before Saturday morning football games, and trying to beat the high score set that week before. I never was a fan of 1942 up until later in my life. The graphics, sound, music, game play still makes it a great game today.

2: ESP.Ra.De: One of my favorite Cave games ever. Why this one was never ported (yet?) nor had a sequel produced is beyond me.

3: Last Resort: My favorite Neo shooter on the system. Blazing Star may be newer, but the theme and atmosphere in Last Resort was better. For an earlier title, this one gets a lot of play in my cabs.

4: Ordyne: Colorful, fun, and addictive. I could play this on my cabs or the ports all the time.

5: Aero Blasters: See #4. Also, I love the speed of the game.

Hmm tough....

1. Futari
2. Border Down
3. Batsugun
4. Guwange
5. Under Defeat

And now, the horiz...

1) Zed Blade Neo/arcade. Everything Phyier said above re: PI2 applies here. Just fun, brah.

2) DownLoad2 PCE CD. This game is my favorite console STG. I've written extensively of my love for this game elsewhere; as such, I'll spare y'all. Highly recommended.

3)crying MD. holy smokes, this game blew me away and still does to this day. I generally dislike/suck @ horiz and there is just something about this one that jives w/ me. The ascthetic in particular is totally unique. Wanting to see and hear 'what is next' keeps me coming back, even tho the sub genre (yoko) isn't my fav.

4) omega fiVe xbla. Ok, I may get alot of shut about this pick-but what evs. It's nothing to defend...I'm happy to explain heh. A 3D modeled game on my list?!? I know, I know- out of character for me. Thing is, this game just oozes old school space 'em up sci fi goodness. Like Zed Blade, there is something about big ol' protagonist in horiz that work for me.

5) Progear no Arashi arcade. When I lived in japan, I came across this game for the 1st time. Maybe it is nostalgia for those magic days, or my hardcore love affair w/ the CPS' sprite pushing abilities...I'm not even any *good* at this one. Love it tho.

Honorable mention goes out to Phelios MD. The shooting is ruddimentary; however, this is made up for with a great story and presentation.

OMFG said:

1:1943: The Battle of Midway: This game brings back memories of stopping by the corner store in my neighborhood, killing time before Saturday morning football games, and trying to beat the high score set that week before. I never was a fan of 1942 up until later in my life. The graphics, sound, music, game play still makes it a great game today.

2: ESP.Ra.De: One of my favorite Cave games ever. Why this one was never ported (yet?) nor had a sequel produced is beyond me.

3: Last Resort: My favorite Neo shooter on the system. Blazing Star may be newer, but the theme and atmosphere in Last Resort was better. For an earlier title, this one gets a lot of play in my cabs.

4: Ordyne: Colorful, fun, and addictive. I could play this on my cabs or the ports all the time.

5: Aero Blasters: See #4. Also, I love the speed of the game.

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Where the fuck is BUTTRIDER?!?

I don't think I can rank them...and I haven't played piles and piles of them, but here are my current 5 favorites

Espgaluda II
Progear
Side Arms
R-Type II
Dimahoo

Dammit, need to put In the Hunt on there too!

These have always been my favorites and in no particular order.

R-Type 2
Salamander
Last Resort
Under Defeat
Raiden II

Shmups I always seem to come back to after the glow of the latest "hotness" has faded...

1. Layer Section
2. Gradius V
3. Esprade
4. Dodonpachi
5. Dimahoo/Progear (last spot is a tough one)

.

Since I've mostly been a fan of hori games, I'll just do a combined Top 5. There are tons of great games I've played that have to be left off (Thunder Force 3, UN Squadron, Axelay, Gate of Thunder, and Aero Fighters 2 are just some of the classics that are hard to resist), but this is just a list of the top games that I could play over and over again, a combination of replay value for my tastes as well as nostalgia/art design/intangibles.

First off, an honorable mention for Radiant Silvergun for being a stunning and deep shmup that would definitely make it into my Top 5 of all time were I a bit more patient in my old age and able to dedicate my time to learning this work of art. I had a great time with it in my Saturn days, but my skills have fallen since then.

#5 Gradius III - This was the first shmup that I owned (the first I played was the original NES Gradius), a present from my uncle the week that I got a SNES from my parents. Always memorable, always nostalgic, and a great arcade translation that's often overlooked in the midst of more popular SFC/MD/PCE shmups.

#4 Einhander - It's been a while since I've touched this disc but I'll never forget the euphoria I experienced originally playing this and marveling at Square's brilliance. One sick day from school was spent playing this for six hours in a row and the game becoming burned in my memory.

#3 Blazing Star - The pinnacle of Neo's shmup technology completely overwhelms with colorful graphics, a great ship selection, and memorable level designs. Originally it was enticing because of its rarity, forcing a buddy and I to search out a playable cab in a pizza parlor. Over time it became legendary as a defining Neo cart.

#2 Lords of Thunder - I remember seeing that promo VHS and nearly nutting, the music was that memorable. The graphics were top-notch for its day and the levels were impeccable in their variety and art direction.

#1 Death Smiles - This game has an amazing Halloween artistic vibe, strong scoring system, and memorable bosses. Being just easy enough to not frustrate like most other bullet hell fare, it was a pleasant surprise to start with and became an incessant drug for hours at a time.

No order, just some of my personal favorites:

Hori:
Gallop Armed Police Unit: Insanely fast, adrenline rush.
Cotton: I could play this all day, just pure fun.
Thunder Cross II: THE MUSIC, stage design, pure style
R-Type: perfectly designed game.
Winds of Thunder: fun, fun, fun

Verts:
Undeadline (MD): badass, frantic, awesomeness
Sapphire: style to the extreme
Sylphia: amazing atmosphere
Fire Barrel: really surprised me, old school charm that's always fun
Zanac: Revolutionary, even to this day.

Sky Shark - NES (my first shooter, I played the hell out of this game)
Mars Matrix - cool game play mechanic
Progear - I dig the steam punk theme
Mushihimesama Futari 1.5 Black Label - enjoy everything about this game
Armed Police Batrider - rad

5. Gyruss Played the shit out of it on my NES. My sister beat it before I did. I never recovered from that.

4. Batrider Just an amazing amount of fun that you can pick up and play anytime.

3. Blazing Star Yes, it's easy, but it's still pretty and I enjoy it. Not much to say, besides I'm attempting a run at the 1cc record.

2. UN Squadron Probably the first shooter I became hopelessly addicted to. I wish there were far more games like this, haven't found any.

1. R-Type Final I don't care what anyone says, I love this game. It's stunning looking, you have a ridiculous amount of customization, ships and the switching levels are pretty awesome. I'm a graphics whore and this is probably the most amazing looking shooter in the world to me.


Honorable Mention: Esp. Ra. De., Battle Garegga, Ikaruga, Metal Slug

My Top 5 is based on what I still go back and play on the 5 best systems for SHMUPS.
They are not in order.

Winds of Thunder (PC Engine)- The music in this game is some of the best rock tunes ever to grace a videogame. It just gets you in ot the shooting mood.

Thunder Force III (Megadrive) - It just brings back great memories of my childhood. the sequel may look and play slightly better, but I just don't the buzz out of it as I do with this one.

Radiant Silvergun (Saturn) - Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. The greatest visual shooter that I have played.

Border Down (Dreamcast) - Only just bought this one, but absolutely love it.

Blazing Star (Neo Geo)- It has to be in the list, definitely one fo the best shooters ever made.

I would also add Power Strike on the Master System if it was for 6 games... what a great game.

And before anyone says that the 360 is one of the best for shooters. I don't care too much for manic 'bullet hell' shooters. So not on my list.

rcantor77 said:

My Top 5 is based on what I still go back and play on the 5 best systems for SHMUPS.
They are not in order.

Winds of Thunder (PC Engine)- The music in this game is some of the best rock tunes ever to grace a videogame. It just gets you in ot the shooting mood.

Thunder Force III (Megadrive) - It just brings back great memories of my childhood. the sequel may look and play slightly better, but I just don't the buzz out of it as I do with this one.

Radiant Silvergun (Saturn) - Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. The greatest visual shooter that I have played.

Border Down (Dreamcast) - Only just bought this one, but absolutely love it.

Blazing Star (Neo Geo)- It has to be in the list, definitely one fo the best shooters ever made.

I would also add Power Strike on the Master System if it was for 6 games... what a great game.

And before anyone says that the 360 is one of the best for shooters. I don't care too much for manic 'bullet hell' shooters. So not on my list.

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Power Strike II is amazing as well- I thank you for your PStrike mention!

It is ok to have a 6th choice...5 tate& 5 yoko games allowed.

Honorable mentions are encouraged too...my goal is to get a great pool of favorites to draw from.

Spriggan - legendary! Compile!! PCE!! need I say more?!?!

Nexzr - game is just all around awesome!

Raiden DX - best incarnation of Raiden ever!

Blazing Star - best shmup on neogeo IMO

Dogyuun - I want to think this is what Tatsujin III would be like. One of Toaplans best games I think

wataru330 said:

Power Strike II is amazing as well- I thank you for your PStrike mention!

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I never played Power Strike II and have heard good things about it, not sure if it will hold up well nowadays but I think I will have to track a copy down and see.

Unfortunately, most of the 8-bit shooters don't really play too well anymore. I bought Star Soldier on the Famicom last year. All I can say is, I am so glad they continued the series on the PC Engine. (Technically an 8-bit system, but it has 2 cpu's, so I never count it as such)

So that whole series is definitely worth a mention - Gunhed, Super Star Soldier, Final Soldier and Soldier Blade - All awesome games.

rcantor77 said:

I never played Power Strike II and have heard good things about it, not sure if it will hold up well nowadays but I think I will have to track a copy down and see.

Unfortunately, most of the 8-bit shooters don't really play too well anymore. I bought Star Soldier on the Famicom last year. All I can say is, I am so glad they continued the series on the PC Engine. (Technically an 8-bit system, but it has 2 cpu's, so I never count it as such)



So that whole series is definitely worth a mention - Gunhed, Super Star Soldier, Final Soldier and Soldier Blade - All awesome games.

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The Soldier games were quite a big part of my youth. Blazing Lazers was one of the 1st TG-16 games I ever played, and helped stoke my interest in the series.

Back to Power Strike II...playing it in this day and age, it may feel like 'Aleste-lite'. However, at the time of its release the game was a miracle.

PSII does things that just don't seem possible on Master System. The game really is the Recca of the Master System. The fit/finish of the game is incredible for an 8-bit cart...*highly* recommended!

Can't rank them but

R-Type Leo
Sexy Parodius
Gradius V
Blazing Star
Mushihimesama Futari 1.5

Honorable metion to Dragon Breed, Pulstar and R-Type Final.

Looking forward to Death Smiles and Muchi Muchi Pork next month.

wataru330 said:

Back to Power Strike II...playing it in this day and age, it may feel like 'Aleste-lite'. However, at the time of its release the game was a miracle.

PSII does things that just don't seem possible on Master System. The game really is the Recca of the Master System. The fit/finish of the game is incredible for an 8-bit cart...*highly* recommended!

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I might be waiting a while until I play PSII on the Master System...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Power-Strike-II-2-Sega-Master-System-Complete-RARE-/220728981045

rcantor77 said:

I might be waiting a while until I play PSII on the Master System...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Power-Strike-II-2-Sega-Master-System-Complete-RARE-/220728981045

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Whoa. And I was glad to get 75 usd shipped for mine. Ah well.

I wonder if it ever saw Brazilian release, & if the TecToy rev would be less expensive? I'll look into this...if I can source a more reasonably priced copy I'll PM you.

Yeah, tell me about it.
I was not expecting it to be going for well over £100.

Oh well, first I think I need to dust of the Master System and check it still works.
I'll then see if I can source myself a copy for a little less...

1.Batsugun (special version) - Toaplan's swan song. The ultimate crossroads between "old" and "new" shooters. I absolutely love everything about this game, from it's music to it's art style. It was my first one credit clear, and the fact that a Saturn port even exists still shocks me.

2. Seirei Senshi Spriggan- My favorite Compile shooting game as well as my favorite PC Engine shooter. It's long and the weapons are over the top. The game is an easy clear. Hey, it's Compile. But I love Compile games and the music, sound effects (explosions!) and atmosphere created rules.

3. Hyper Duel- Kind of an extension/bastardization of the Thunder Force games, just bolder and obviously "arcadey". The Saturn Version is even better IMO.

4. ESPGaluda- It took me awhile to really get into Galuda, but once it clicked, the click was hard. Lighter to moderate challenge and a really innovative scoring system. Kakusei mode is one of the coolest ideas ever for a shooter. I think the characters kind of suck but that can be forgiven.

5. DoDonpachi Dai Ou Jou- This is one nut I haven't really cracked it. My progression in this game has been pretty slow, but I think it's the peak of Cave's DDP efforts.

All of the following is subjective bullshit which does not in anyway represent what I believe a good shooting game should objectively have. This is just my bias I feel like sharing.

1) Pulstar - I'm surprised I'm the only one to pick this game. I absolutely love it, and I normally don't go for the slow and technical style shmups. Fantastic atmosphere, hard as hell but totally fair and stellar graphics.

2) Soldier Blade - a generally forgettable PCE shmup that really clung to me for some reason.

3) Sexy Parodius - the best Parodius and a gorgeous game.

4) Lords of Thunder - Such a great theme, good level design and interesting bosses. I do find the music cheesy though

5) DoDonPachi - I hate modern bullet hell shmups, but DDP strikes a nice balance here. Really manic and playable.

city41 said:

I normally don't go for the slow and technical style shmups.

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city41 said:

I hate modern bullet hell shmups

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What do you like then...?