shmups.system11.org

CHRONOLOGY OF SHOOTING [ARCADE` present day - 1984]

We have the Xenocide arcade file on shumps.com, which is fab and all that.
However I like to have things sorted by year, and more thorough where possible.
Thus, the list here was born.
My interest wanes pre-'88 so it stops for the moment. [edit: '84 now]
I hope this proves useful for some of you.

-copy and paste from Cowboy team forum-

1st entry: Sale date -- month/day format [ * = not for sale]
2nd: Game
3rd: Developer/Publisher

All dates are based from the official arcade sale/release in Japan, not program code or overseas.


-Coming Soon-

Fall '12 ~ Crimzon Clover for NESiCAxLive ~ Bouken/Taito
Fall '12 ~ Game Center Love ~ Triangle Service/Sega


-2012

7/24 ~ Akai Katana Shin for NESiCAxLive ~ Cave/Taito
4/20 ~ Dodonpachi Saidaioujou Kan ~ Cave <-- SH3 hardware. Self published/sales by Cave.
3/29 ~ Raiden IV for NESiCAxLive ~ Moss/Taito <-- Network download only. Adds features of Xbox360 ver.
3/29 ~ Raiden III ~ Moss/Taito <-- Network download only. Unknown if any changes.
3/29 ~ Homura ~ SKonec/Taito <-- Network download only. Unknown if any changes.


-2011-


10/6 ~ DARIUSBURST : Another Chronicle EX Phase 2 <-- official revision news.
7/28 ~ exception ~ primitive/Success/Taito <-- Distributed via NESiCAxLive network only. flyer, dev HP, pub HP.
7/28 ~ DARIUSBURST : Another Chronicle EX ~ Taito <-- Multiple minor updates released via network, between the time of original release and EX -- Details. HP.
7/28 ~ Seisou Kouki STRANIA ver 1.11 ~ G.rev/Taito
5/27 ~ Mushihimesama ver 1.5 "Festival ver." ~ Cave <-- Cave Shop exclusive PCB. AKA "Blue Label" from '06, w/added tweaks and Maniac modes now. Info thread.
4/27 ~ Seisou Kouki STRANIA ~ G.rev/Taito <-- Distributed via NESiCAxLive network only.dev HP.
2 / ? ~ Last Hope : Pink Bullets ~ NG:DEV.TEAM <-- Unofficial soft, released on SNK MVS hardware, primarily for consumers.



-2010-

12/17 ~ DARIUSBURST : Another Chronicle ~ Taito
11/19 ~ Akai Katana Special ver ~ Cave <-- Extremely limited online sale for fans/consumers. box p0rn, mechanics detail.
*10/30 ~ Dodonpachi Dai-Fukkatsu ver. 1.51 ~ Cave <-- Cave Festival joint. How does this differ from 1.5 'Special ver' shown August '08? Unknown.
10/2 ~ Fast Striker ~ NG:DEV.TEAM <-- flyer-a - flyer-b
8/19 ~ Akai Katana ~ Cave/Annex <-- Return to old (faithful) SH3 hardware.
4/20 ~ Dodonpachi Dai-Ou-Jou Tamashii ~ Cave/IGS <-- for Taiwan-China market. original game + 'easy mode', score save, No Black Label.
1/22 ~ KOF Sky Stage ~ Moss/SNK Playmore/Taito <-- flyer -- OP news sheet
1/20 ~ Dodonpachi Dai-Fukkatsu BLACK LABEL ~ Cave/Annex (formerly AMI)


-2009-

10/5 ~ Senko no Ronde : Dis-United Order (DUO) ver. 2.00 ~ G.rev/Taito <-- Re-released in early 2011 via NESiCAxLive network
7/28 ~ Senko no Ronde : Dis-United Order (DUO) ~ G.rev/Taito
7/2 ~ Rajirugi Noa [Radirgy 2 / Noah / Noir?] ~ Milestone/Lucky
7/1 ~ Trouble Witches AC ~ Studio Siesta/Bouken/Nihon System/Taito
5/14 ~ Deathsmiles II : Makai no Merry Christmas ~ Cave <-- Lamentable stock PC hardware / owner lease 'experiment'. Too many revisions to list.. :p


-2008-

10/10 ~ Deathsmiles MEGA Black Label ~ Cave/AMI <-- SH3+
*8/30 ~ Fantasy Zone II : The Tears of OPA-OPA, System-16C ver. ~ Sega <--og '87 version reimagined on System 16! breakdown+here+here
*8/15 ~ Dodonpachi Dai-Fukkatsu ver 1.5 "Special" ~ Cave <-- only for Cave Festival autumn '08. Changes?
7/30 ~ MAMORU-KUN wa Norowarete Shimatta! ~ Gulti/G.rev/Sega
6/24 ~ Dodonpachi Dai-Fukkatsu ver 1.5 ~ Cave/AMI <-- SH3+
6/10 ~ Illvelo : Illmatic Envelope ~ Milestone/Sega
5/22 ~ Dodonpachi Dai-Fukkatsu ~ Cave/AMI <-- "SH3+", slightly upgraded old hardware, increased RAM.


-2007-

*12/30 ~ Guwange : Dai Cave Festival Tokubetsu Shiyou ~ Cave <-'IKD special tune', changes to game mechanics, etc. GP's breakdown
*12/30 ~ Muchi Muchi Pork! : Dai Cave Festival Special Version ~ Cave <- added Pink Sweets boss fights after normal bosses! so kawai.
*12/30 ~ Deathsmiles : DIE Cave Festival Special Version ~ Cave <- level 99 difficulty selectable @stage paths. w/suicide bullets +revised boss patterns.
12/20 ~ Mushihimesama Futari BLACK LABEL ~ Cave/AMI
10/24 ~ Otomedius ~ Konami <-- uses semi-dedicated e-Amuse touchscreen cabinet.
10/19 ~ Deathsmiles ~ Cave/AMI
*9/23 ~ Ketsui "FESTIVAL VER."~Cave<--Cave Fest '07 only.Single loop, patterns like og second loop but w/o suicide bullets, tighter distance for chips, shot type switching, DOOM.
7/26 ~ Shooting Love. 2007 : EXZEAL & Shooting [Shmups] Skill Test ~ Triangle Service/Sega
6/6 ~ Raiden IV ~ Moss/Taito
4/26 ~ Muchi Muchi Pork! ~ Cave/AMI


-2006-

*12/28 ~ Mushihimesama ver 1.5 Blue Label ~ Cave <-- Cave Festival only, tuned for higher scoring - 'Campaign' style, Maniac mode omitted
*12/28 ~ Mushihimesama Futari ver 1.5 Red Label ~ Cave <-- Score Trial Special Ver, +Ketsui style system, 3 PCBs awarded to top scorers
*12/28 ~ Mushihimesama Futari ver 1.01 ~ Cave <-- Cave Festival only, + two extra bomb stock, revised st4 boss patterns, others?
12/19 ~ Mushihimesama Futari ver 1.5 ~ Cave/AMI
11/15 ~ Karasu [Karous] ~ Milestone/Sega
10/27 ~ Mushihimesama Futari ~ Cave/AMI
8/10 ~ Senko no Ronde SP ~ G.rev/Sega
7/21 ~ Trigger Heart Exelica Ver.A ~ Warashi/Sega <--2P bug fix (game would crash in 2P before). 'Ver.A' on title screen.
5/30 ~ Trigger Heart Exelica ~ Warashi/Sega
4/20 ~ Pink Sweets : Ibara Sorekara ~ Cave/AMI
2/23 ~ Shikigami no Shiro III ~ Alfa System/SKonec/Taito <--Bug in netranking code, fixed version released 1week later.
2/10 ~ Ibara Kuro : Black Label ~ Cave/AMI

-2005-


12/28 ~ Rajirugi [Radirgy] NEW ver. ~ Milestone/Able
11/25 ~ Espgaluda II ~ Cave/AMI
10/26 ~ Under Defeat ~ G.rev/Sega
10/13 ~ Rajirugi [Radirgy] ~ Milestone/Able
8/5 ~ Senko no Ronde NEW ver. ~ G.rev/Sega
7/23 ~ Homura ~ SKonec/Taito
6/24 ~ Ibara ~ Cave/AMI
4/25 ~ Senko no Ronde ~ G.rev/Sega
3/31 ~ Raiden III ~ Moss/Taito

-2004-

11/19 ~ Mushihimesama ~ Cave/AMI
10/22 ~ Gigawing Generations ~ Takumi/Taito
9/24 ~ Trizeal ~ Triangle Service/Taito
6/24 ~ Chaos Field ~ Milestone/Able
6/23 ~ Wyvern Wings ~ Semicom/Game Vision <--1st JPN release, resale for other territories

-2003-

11/13 ~ Espgaluda ~ Cave/AMI
11/7 ~ Psyvariar 2: The Will to Fabricate ~ Success/SKonec/Taito
10/7 ~ Space Invaders Anniversary ~ Taito
4/25 ~ Border Down ~ G.rev/Sega
4/24 ~ Shikigami no Shiro II ~ Alfa System/Taito
1/28 ~ Ketsui : Kizuna Jigoku Tachi ~ Cave/AMI
rare? ~ Star Wings ~ Semicom <-- unknown if actually released or prototype.

-2002-

10/25 ~ Dodonpachi Dai-Ou-Jou Black Label ~ Cave/AMI
9/13 ~ Ultimate Ecology (resale) ~ Capcom
7/15 ~ XIISTAG ~ Triangle Service/Taito
4/17 ~ Dodonpachi Dai-Ou-Jou ~ Cave/AMI
3/28 ~ G-Stream G2020 ~ Oriental Soft
3 / ? ~ Wyvern Wings / Wivern Wings ~ Semicom/Game Vision <--overseas dev - JPN release in 2004
? / ? ~ Cutey Fatty ~ Wecom <--overseas dev, No JPN release, Korea/Asia only.

-2001-

12/20 ~ Ikaruga ~ Treasure/Sega
9/20 ~ Shikigami no Shiro ~ Alfa System/Taito
8/01 ~ Vasara 2 ~ Visco/Nihon System
6/21 ~ Dodonpachi II: Bee Storm ~ IGS/Capcom, licensed by Cave
5/25 ~ Night Raid ~ Takumi/Taito
5/17 ~ Zero Gunner 2 ~ Psikyo
4/11 ~ Progia no Arashi [Progear] ~ Cave/Capcom
1/15 ~ Gigawing 2 ~ Takumi/Capcom
hack ~ Fire Hawk ~ ESD

-2000-

9/26 ~ Dragon Blaze ~ Psikyo
9/21 ~ 1944 : The Loop Master ~ Raizing/Eighting/Capcom
9/19 ~ Psyvariar Revision ~ Success/Taito
8/11 ~ Vasara ~ Visco
6 / 9 ~ Mars Matrix ~ Takumi/Capcom
*6/? ~ Variant Schwanzer ~ Seta <-- Unreleased. Shown at 2000 AOU show, almost finished project. Aleck64 hardware.
5/24 ~ Brave Blade ~ Raizing/Eighting/Namco
3 / ? ~ Psyvariar : Medium Unit ~ Success/Taito
2/18 ~ Great Mahou Daisakusen [Dimahoo] ~ Raizing/Eighting/Capcom
hack ~ Mission Craft ~ Sun <--copy+hack of Starcraft's Brood War and Psikyo engine (Strikers,etc)
hack ~ Spectrum 2000 ~ Yona Tech <--hack of ? similar to Strikers

-1999-

12/? ~ Strikers 1945 Plus ~ Psikyo/SNK
12/? ~ Change Air Blade ~ Sammy
10/14 ~ Strikers 1999 [Strikers 1945 III] ~ Psikyo
10/3 ~ Prehistoric Isle 2 ~ Yumekobo/SNK
7 / ? ~ Guwange ~ Cave/Atlus
6 / ? ~ Battle Bakraid, Unlimited version ~ Raizing/Eighting/Able
5 / ? ~ Captain Tomaday ~ Visco/SNK
4/15 ~ Battle Bakraid ~ Raizing/Eighting/Able
3 / ? ~ Gigawing ~ Takumi/Capcom
3 / ? ~ Pilot Kids ~ Psikyo <-- designed for 24kHz display (medium res).
2 / ? ~ Gradius IV : Fukkatsu ~ Konami <-- designed for 24kHz display (medium res).
hack ~ 1945k III ~ Promat?/Oriental Soft <--copy+hack of Strikers 1999 ?

-1998-

12/? ~ Gunbird 2 ~ Psikyo
12/? ~ Raycrisis ~ Taito
12/? ~ Tenkomori Shooting ~ Namco <--Variety game, STG sections
11/? ~ Konami 80's Arcade Gallery (Gyruss, Time Pilot, Scramble, Super Cobra) ~ Konami
11/? ~ Star Soldier : Vanishing Earth ~ Hudson/Visco
10/31 ~ Space Bomber Ver.B ~ Psikyo
9 / ? ~ Cotton Boomerang ~ Success/Tecmo
9 / ? ~ Dangun Feveron [Fever S.O.S.] ~ Cave/Nihon System
8 / ? ~ Raiden Fighters Jet ~ Seibu Kaihatsu/Able
7 / ? ~ Space Bomber ~ Psikyo
5 / ? ~ Guardian Force ~ Success/Taito
5 / ? ~ Radiant Silvergun ~ Treasure/Sega
5 / ? ~ Stagger 1 ~ Afega/Visco <-- Loke test name: Red Hawk
4 / ? ~ ESP RA.DE ~ Cave/Atlus/Nihon System <-- bug fix version = "1998 4/21 MASTER VER." on copyright screen
3 / ? ~ Armed Police Batrider, B version ~ Raizing/Eighting/Able
2 / ? ~ Cyvern : The Dragon Weapons ~ Kaneko
1 / ? ~ Blazing Star ~ Yumekobo/SNK
1 / ? ~ Armed Police Batrider ~ Raizing/Eighting/Able
* / * ~ Cyvern, Plus version ~ Kaneko <-- prototype/show version? no evidence of sale.
? / ? ~ Sen Jin [Guardian Storm] ~ Afega <-- overseas only. US publisher = Apple Industries.


-1997-

12/? ~ Raiden Fighters 2 : Operation Hell Dive ~ Seibu Kaihatsu/Nihon System
12/? ~ Zero Gunner ~ Psikyo <-- designed for 24kHz display (medium res).
12/? ~ Solar Assault Revised ~ Konami <-- + 6th stage, harder difficulty, Alpinia ship faster. Identical to regular US ver (?)
11/? ~ Cotton 2 ~ Success/Tecmo
10/? ~ Strikers 1945 II ~ Psikyo
9 / ? ~ G-DARIUS Ver.2 ~ Taito
7 / ? ~ G-DARIUS ~ Taito
7 / ? ~ Sengeki Striker ~ Warashi/Kaneko
7 / ? ~ Solar Assault : Gradius ~ Konami <--Gradius 3D rail shooter, exception made for pedigree
5 / ? ~ Sol Divide ~ Psikyo
* / * ~ Dodonpachi Campaign Version ~ Cave <-- no arcade sale, grand prize for nationwide (Japan) DDP score trial
3 / ? ~ Dodonpachi ~ Cave/Atlus
3 / ? ~ Tobe! Polystars ~ Konami <--Twinbee 3D rail shooter, exception made for pedigree
2 / ? ~ Shienryu ~ Warashi/Sega
1 / ? ~ Sonic Wings Limited [Aero Fighters Limited] ~ Video System/Visco


-1996-

12/? ~ Macross Plus ~ Banpresto/Banwave
11/? ~ Second Earth : GRATIA ~ Jaleco
11/? ~ Raiden Fighters ~ Seibu Kaihatsu/Nihon System
11/? ~ Twinkle Star Sprites ~ ADK/SNK
9 / ? ~ Soukyugurentai [Terra Diver] ~ Raizing/Eighting/Able
8 / ? ~ Raystorm ~ Taito
5 / ? ~ Storm Blade ~ Visco
5 / ? ~ Xevious 3D/G ~ Namco
4 / ? ~ Sengoku Blade: Sengoku Ace episode II [Tengai] ~ Psikyo
2 / ? ~ Akuu Gallet [Air Gallet] ~ Gazelle/Banpresto
2 / ? ~ BATTLE GAREGGA ~ Raizing/Eighting/Able
2 / ? ~ Kyuukyoku Tiger II [Twin Cobra II] ~ Takumi/Taito
2 / ? ~ Sexy Parodius ~ Konami
2 / ? ~ Skull Fang: Wolf Fang Gaiden ~ Data East
1 / ? ~ Salamander 2 ~ Konami
1 / ? ~ 19XX : The War Against Destiny ~ Capcom
? / ? ~ Hotdog Storm ~ Marble/Ace Int. <---Korea/Asia only.
hack ~ Air Attack [aka Air Raid or Sky Attack?] ~ Comad <--copy+hack of NMK's Thunder Dragon 2

-1995-

11/? ~ Game Tengoku : The Game Paradise! [The Game Paradise! : Master of Shooting!] ~ Jaleco
11/? ~ Gekirindan ~ Taito <-- ex-Toaplan dev involvement
11/? ~ Namco Classic Collection Vol.1 (Galaga, Xevious) ~ Namco
10/? ~ Sonic Wings 3 [Aero Fighters 3] ~ Video System/SNK
9 / ? ~ Wangan Sensou [Desert War] ~ NMK/Jaleco
8/28 ~ Pulstar ~ Aicom/SNK
8 / ? ~ Viper Phase 1 : NEW Version ~ Seibu Kaihatsu/Nihon System
7 / ? ~ Akkanvader [Space Invaders '95] ~ Taito
6 / ? ~ Strikers 1945 ~ Psikyo/Jaleco
5 / ? ~ Donpachi ~ Cave/Atlus
5 / ? ~ Viper Phase 1 ~ Seibu Kaihatsu/Nihon System
4/19 ~ Twin Bee Yahhoo! [Magical Twin Bee] ~ Konami
4 / ? ~ Varia Metal ~ Excellent System
3 / ? ~ Darius Gaiden, Extra Version ~ Taito
3 / ? ~ P-47 Aces ~ NMK/Jaleco
2 / ? ~ Urutora Keibitai [Ultra X Weapons] ~ Seta/Banpresto, licensed by Tsuburaya Prod.
? / ? ~ R-Shark ~ Dooyong
hack?~ Silver Millennium ~ PARA (Paradise of Amusement) <--Korea/Asia only
hack ~ Twin Action ~ Afega <--copy+hack of NMK's USAAF Mustang


-1994-

9 / ? ~ Darius Gaiden [Darius III] ~ Taito
9 / ? ~ Gunbird ~ Psikyo/Jaleco
9 / ? ~ Operation Ragnarok [Zed Blade] ~ NMK/SNK
9 / ? ~ Shippu Mahou Daisakusen : Kingdom Grandprix ~ Raizing/Eighting
9 / ? ~ Space Invaders DX ~ Taito
8 / ? ~ Eight Forces ~ Tecmo <-- PCB has some Allumer marked chips.
8 / ? ~ Zunzunkyou No Yabou ~ Minato Giken / Sega
7 / ? ~ Mazinger Z ~ Banpresto, licensed by Dynamic PL <--Rumored development by Gazelle.
7 / ? ~ Rapid Hero [Arcadia (*Asia)]~ NMK/Media Trading Corp (Media Shoji)
7 / ? ~ Raiden DX ~ Seibu Kaihatsu/Nihon System
7/18 ~ Sonic Wings 2 [Aero Fighters 2] ~ Video System/SNK
6 / ? ~ Ultimate Ecology [Eco Fighters] ~ Capcom
4/26 ~ Gokujyou Parodius Kako no Eiko o Motomete [Fantastic Journey] ~ Konami
4 / ? ~ Twin Eagle II : The Rescue Mission ~ Seta/Visco
3 / ? ~ Nebulasray ~ Namco
2 / ? ~ Fire Barrel ~ Tamtex/Irem <-- Tamtex = internal Irem dev team
*2/20 ~ Batsugun Special Version ~ Toaplan <---only shown at AOU show, ROM leaked
2 / ? ~ Rayforce [Gunlock (*Euro)]~ Taito
? / ? ~ Super X ~ N.T.C. <------ published by Mitchell overseas, rumored development by NMK


-1993-

12/? ~ Batsugun ~ Toaplan
11/? ~ Raiden II ~ Seibu Kaihatsu/Nihon System
11/? ~ Mad Shark ~ Allumer/Able
10/? ~ Hyper Duel ~ Technosoft/Taito
10/? ~ Thunder Dragon 2 [Big Bang] ~ NMK/Sammy
9 / ? ~ Nostradamus ~ FACE
6 / ? ~ Blue Hawk ~ Dooyong/N.T.C./Sigma
6 / ? ~ Daioh ~ Athena/Sammy <-- The bulk of the team that made Daioh later went on to form WARASHI Co.
6 / ? ~ MACROSS II Choujikuu Yousai ~ NMK/Banpresto
5 / ? ~ Double-Wings ~ Mitchell
5 / ? ~ Earth Joker : U.N. Defense Force ~ Visco/Taito
5 / ? ~ Mahou Daisakusen [Sorcer Striker] ~ Raizing/Able
4 / ? ~ Kaitei Daisensou [In the Hunt] ~ Irem
4 / ? ~ Sengoku Ace [Samurai Aces] ~ Psikyo/Banpresto
3 / ? ~ V-V (V-Five) ~ Toaplan/Taito <--overseas version (aka Bomber ver) 'Grindstormer' has different system. Unlockable on V-V w/code.
2 / ? ~ Cybattler ~ Jaleco
1 / ? ~ GunNail ~ NMK/Tecmo
? / ? ~ Playgirls 2 ~ Hot-B
? / ? ~ Ryujin ~ East Technology/Taito
? / ? ~ War of Aero : Project MEIOU ~ Allumer
* / * ~ Chimera Beast ~ Jaleco <--- Prototype only.

-1992-

12/? ~ Bakuretsu Breaker [Explosive Breaker] ~ Kaneko/Sammy
12/? ~ The Great Ragtime Show [Boogie Wings] ~ Data East
12/? ~ Gridseeker ~ Taito
12/? ~ SD Gundam Neo Battling ~ Allumer/Banpresto
11/? ~ Dogyuun!! ~ Toaplan
11/? ~ Final Star Force ~ Tecmo
11/? ~ R-Type LEO ~ Nanao/Irem <-- Nanao = internal Irem dev team.
10/? ~ F/A [Fighter & Attacker] ~ Namco
10/? ~ Sky Alert ~ Metro
10/? ~ Viewpoint ~ Aicom/Sammy/SNK <-- 11/20 sale, said Gamest...typo. Aicom later changes name to Yumekobo ('98+)
9 / ? ~ MACROSS Choujikuu Yousai ~ NMK/Banpresto
9 / ? ~ Zing Zing Zip ~ Allumer/Tecmo
8 / ? ~ Galmedes ~ Visco/Taito
7 / ? ~ Fixeight ~ Toaplan/Taito
7 / ? ~ Sand Scorpion Sasori ~ FACE/Tecmo
7 / ? ~ VARTH : Operation Thunderstorm ~ Capcom
6 / ? ~ Tatsujin-Oh [Truxton II] ~ Toaplan/Taito
5 / ? ~ Andro Dunos ~ Visco/Sammy/SNK
5 / ? ~ Mahou Keibitai GunHoki [Mystic Riders]~ Irem
4 / ? ~ Blazeon ~ Atlus
4/30 ~ Ninja Commando ~ Alpha Denshi (ADK) /SNK
3 / ? ~ Cosmo Gang : The Video ~ Namco
3/23 ~ Last Resort ~ SNK <-- one source claim 4/24 sale.
3 / ? ~ Sonic Wings [Aero Fighters] ~ Video System/Tecmo <--Main prog. Shin Nakamura and W.Yamazaki leave to form Psikyo after this.
1 / ? ~ Koutetsu Yousai STRAHL ~ UPL/NMK/Taito <-- NEW version also released.
? / ? ~ Flying Tiger ~ Dooyong <--overseas only? released in USA, etc.
hack ~ S.S. Mission ~ Comad <--overseas only (but not USA), copy+hack of NMK's Thunder Dragon


-1991-

12/? ~ Thunder Blaster [Lethal Thunder] ~ Irem
11/? ~ Hacha-Mecha Fighter ~ NMK/Tecmo
11/? ~ Metal Black ~ Taito
10/? ~ Gallop : Armed Police Unit [Cosmic Cop] ~ Irem
10/? ~ Pollux ~ Dooyong/N.T.C./Atlus
10/? ~ XEXEX ~ Konami
9 / ? ~ Gulf War - II ~ Comad/Four J International <---overseas only, copy+hack of Toaplan's Twin Cobra
9 / ? ~ Rezon ~ Allumer/Taito
9 / ? ~ Thunder Dragon ~ NMK/Tecmo
8 / ? ~ Thunder Cross II ~ Konami
7 / ? ~ Acrobat Mission ~ UPL/Taito
7 / ? ~ Chariot [Wonder 3] ~ Capcom
7 / ? ~ Turbo Force ~ Video System/Namco
6 / ? ~ Vimana ~ Toaplan/Tecmo
5 / ? ~ Black Heart ~NMK/UPL
4 / ? ~ Cotton : Fantastic Night Dreams ~ Success/Sega
4 / ? ~ S.T.G : Strike Gunner ~ Athena/Tecmo
3 / ? ~ Strike Force ~ Midway <-- Defender homage/remake. Overseas (US?) only
3/25 ~ ASO II : Last Guardian [Alpha Mission II] ~ SNK
3 / ? ~ E.D.F. : Earth Defense Force ~ Jaleco
2/20 ~ Detana!! TwinBee [Bells & Whistles] ~ Konami
2 / ? ~ Raiga : Strato Fighter ~ Tecmo
1 / ? ~ Ghost Pilots ~ SNK
1 / ? ~ Gun Frontier ~ Taito
? / ? ~ Gulf Storm ~ Dooyong/Media Shoji


-1990-

12/? ~ Dragon Saber ~ Namco
12/? ~ Sky Smasher ~ Nihon System/Taito
12/? ~ Thunderforce AC ~ Technosoft/Sega
11/? ~ Majestic Twelve [Super Space Invaders '91] ~ Taito
11/? ~ Space Battleship Gomorrah [Bio-ship Paladin] ~ NMK/UPL/Taito
10/? ~ Aurail ~ Westone/Sega
10/? ~ Pistol Daimyo no Bouken ~ Namco
10/? ~ U.S. Navy [Carrier Airwing] ~ Capcom
8 / ? ~ Outzone ~ Toaplan/Tecmo
6 / ? ~ Air Duel ~ Irem
6 / ? ~ USAAF Mustang ~ NMK/UPL
5 / ? ~ Trigon [Lightning Fighters] ~ Konami
4/24 ~ Parodius DA! -Shinwa kara Owarai e- ~ Konami
4 / ? ~ Raiden ~ Seibu Kaihatsu/Tecmo
3 / ? ~ Ashura Blaster ~ Visco/Taito
2 / ? ~ 1941 : Counter Attack ~ Capcom
2 / ? ~ Gigandes ~ East Technology/Taito
2 / ? ~ KUHGA : Operation Code "Vapor Trail" ~ Data East
1 / ? ~ Air Buster ~ Kaneko/Namco
? / ? ~ The Last Day ~ Dooyong <-- Korea only.
? / ? ~ Mini Vaders ~ Taito <-- B/W Space Invaders on tiny PCB, no sound, for cabinet test purposes.


-1989-

12/? ~ Dangerous Seed ~ Namco
12/? ~ Meta Fox ~ Jordan/Seta/Visco
12/? ~ Same! Same! Same! [Fire Shark] ~ Toaplan <-- Loke test version had 2P simultaneous play. Added back in for overseas ver.
12/11 ~ Gradius III : Suri Densetsu kara Shinwa e ~ Konami
11/? ~ MegaBlast ~ Taito
11/? ~ R-TYPE II ~ Irem
10/? ~ Task Force Harrier ~ NMK/UPL
10/? ~ The Next Space ~ SNK/PIC (Pasadena International Corp)
10/? ~ Zero Wing ~ Toaplan/Namco
9 / ? ~ DARIUS II [Sagaia] ~ Taito <-- Released as both 2-screen and 3-screen.
9 / ? ~ X-MULTIPLY ~ Irem
8 / ? ~ Area 88 [U.N. Squadron] ~ Capcom
8 / ? ~ Insector X ~ Hot-B/Taito
8 / ? ~ Sky Adventure ~ Alpha Denshi (ADK)/SNK
7 / ? ~ Dragon Breed ~ Irem
7 / ? ~ Omega Fighter ~ Kawakusu/UPL <-- Produced by an unnamed "super famous game designer", according to former UPL employee.
^Rumored to be S. Yagawa (Recca, Battle Garegga). Secret devco is finally revealed.
* / * ~ Omega Fighter Special ~ Kawakusu/UPL <-- Perhaps a leaked "show" version ..found no evidence of sales/distribution.
7 / ? ~ Tatakae! Big Fighter [Sky Robo] - Nichibutsu
6 / ? ~ Daisenpuu [Twin Hawk] ~ Toaplan/Taito
5 / ? ~ Arbalester ~ Seta/Taito
5 / ? ~ Genshi-Tou 1930's [Prehistoric Isle in 1930] ~ SNK
5 / ? ~ Master of Weapon ~ Taito
5 / ? ~ Plus Alpha ~ Jaleco
4 / ? ~ Hellfire ~ Toaplan/Taito
3 / ? ~ Blast-Off ~ Namco <-- Sequel to Bosconian (1981)
3 / ? ~ Dyger ~ Philko/Sharp Image <-- Korea dev. Not released in Japan.
3 / ? ~ Twin Falcons [Whizz] ~ Philko/Sharp Image (Paora in US)<-- Korea dev. Not released in Japan.
2 / ? ~ Phelios ~ Namco
2 / ? ~ Tensaruu : SAINT DRAGON ~ NMK/Jaleco
1 / ? ~ Asuka & Asuka ~ Visco/Taito


-1988-

12/? ~ Atomic ROBO-KID ~ UPL
11/? ~ Heavy Unit ~ Kaneko/Taito
10/? ~ Image Fight ~ Irem
10/? ~ Metal Hawk ~ Namco <-- deluxe cabinet, game leans toward 'flight'.
10/? ~ Scramble Spirits ~ Sega <-- 24kHz display (medium res).
10/? ~ Tatsujin [Truxton] ~ Toaplan/Taito
10/? ~ Thunder Cross ~ Konami
10/? ~ Turtle Ship ~ Philko/Pacific Games [Sharp Image *USA] <---copy+hack of Capcom's Side Arms
9 / ? ~ Cobra Command ~ Data East
9 / ? ~ Ordyne ~ Namco
8 / ? ~ Armed Formation F ~ Nichibutsu/PIC [Fillmore *Intl]
8 / ? ~ Bakutotsu Kijuutei : Baraduke II - Namco
7 / ? ~ Chuka Taisen ~ Hot-B/Taito
7 / ? ~ Lost Worlds [Forgotten Worlds] ~ Capcom
7 / ? ~ Last Duel ~ Capcom
7 / ? ~ Sky Soldiers ~ Alpha Denshi (ADK) /SNK
6 / ? ~ 1943 Kai : Midway Kaisen ~ Capcom
6 / ? ~ Ark Area ~ UPL
6 / ? ~ Koukuu Kihei Monogatari - The Legend Of Air Cavalry [Chopper 1] ~ SNK
5 / ? ~ P-47 : the Freedom Fighter ~ NMK/Jaleco
4 / ? ~ Twin Eagle: Revenge Joe's Brother ~ Seta/Taito
? / ? ~ Gradius II : GOFER no Yabou, NEW ver ~ Konami
3/24 ~ Gradius II : GOFER no Yabou ~ Konami
3 / ? ~ Dr. Toppel Tankentai [Dr. Toppel's Adventure] ~ Kaneko/Taito
3 / ? ~ Silkworm ~ Tecmo
? / ? ~ Fighting Hawk ~ Taito


-1987-

12/? ~ A-JAX [Typhoon] ~ Konami
12/? ~ Galaga '88 ~ Namco
12/? ~ Mr. HELI no Dai-Bouken [Battle Chopper] ~ Irem
12/? ~ Sonic Boom ~ Sega
11/? ~ Kyukyoku Tiger [Twin Cobra] ~ Toaplan/Taito <--overseas version features 2P simultaneous play, instant respawn
10/? ~ Gemini Wing ~ Tecmo
10/? ~ Special Forces U.A.G. [Thundercade] ~ Seta/Taito
10/? ~ SRD : Super Real Darwin ~ Data East
10/? ~ Terra Force ~ Nichibutsu
10/? ~ Wonder Planet ~ Data East
9 / ? ~ Airwolf ~ Kyugo
9 / ? ~ Rabio Lepus [Rabbit Punch] ~ Video System
8 / ? ~ Cross Shooter [Air Raid] ~ Seibu Kaihatsu/Taito
8 / ? ~ Exzisus ~ Taito
8 / ? ~ Flak Attack [MX5000] ~ Konami
7 / ? ~ Battlantis ~ Konami <-- single screen shooter
7 / ? ~ R-TYPE ~ Irem
6/26 ~ Life Force ~ Konami <--New version of Salamander
6 / ? ~ Dragon Spirit ~ Namco
6 / ? ~ 1943 : Midway Kaisen ~ Capcom
5 / ? ~ Choutoki (or Chouji) Meikyuu LEGION (Legion: Labyrinth of Space and Time) ~ Nichibutsu
4 / ? ~ S.D.I. ~ Sega
3 / ? ~ Exerizer [Sky Fox] ~ Jaleco
3 / ? ~ Hishozame [Flying Shark *Intl, Sky Shark *USA] ~ Toaplan/Taito
2 / ? ~ Bermuda Triangle [World Wars *Intl] ~ SNK
2 /? ~ DARIUS ~ Taito
2 / ? ~ Fantasy Zone II : The Tears of OpaOpa ~ Sega
2 / ? ~ Makyou Senshi [Gondomania] ~ Data East
? / ? ~ Blasteroids ~ Atari Games <--2/1988 release for US
? / ? ~ DARIUS Extra Version ~ Taito
? / ? ~ Dragon Spirit NEW ver ~ Namco
? / ? ~ Sauro ~ Tecfri/Sigma


-1986-

12/? ~ Sidearms : Hyper Dyne ~ Capcom
11/? ~ Ares no Tsubasa : the Legendary Soldiers [Legendary Wings] ~ Capcom <-- half stg, half act/stg
11/? ~ Valtric ~ NMK/Jaleco
11/? ~ Xain'd Sleena [Solar Warrior] ~ Technos/Taito <-- half shooting stages, half action/stg stages, like Capcom's Legendary Wings
10/? ~ Mission 660 ~ ED/Wood Place/Taito <-- copy of The Alphax Z
10/? ~ Last Mission ~ Data East
10/? ~ Youma Ninpou Chou [Ninja Emaki] ~ Nichibutsu <-- action/shooting parts
10/? ~ UFO Robo DANGAR ~ Nichibutsu
9 / ? ~ Action Fighter ~ Sega
9 / ? ~ Vs. Super Xevious ~ Namco/Nintendo
9 / ? ~ XX Mission ~ UPL
8 / ? ~ Gardia ~ Coreland/Sega
7 / 4 ~ Salamander ~ Konami
7 / ? ~ Slap Fight [Alcon] ~ Toaplan/Taito
5 / ? ~ Flower ~ ADK/Sega
5 / ? ~ The Alphax Z ~ ED/Wood Place/Able
4 / ? ~ Scramble Formation [Tokio] ~ Taito
4 / ? ~ Sky Kid DX (Deluxe) ~ Namco
3 / ? ~ Darwin 4078 ~ Data East
3 / ? ~ Fantasy Zone ~ Sega
2 / ? ~ Kyoko-Toppa [Breakthru] ~ Data East <-- kind of action shooting
2 / ? ~ Rafflesia ~ Coreland/Sega
1 / ? ~ Argus ~ NMK/Jaleco
1 / ? ~ Halley's Comet ~ Taito
? / ? ** ~ Brain ~ Coreland/Sega <--Possibly unreleased in Japan+USA. Could not find reliable source to backup.
? / ? ~ S.R.D. Mission ~ Kyugo/Taito
? / ? ~ Vs. Sky Kid ~ Namco/Nintendo
? / ? ~ Vs. Super Sky Kid ~ Namco/Nintendo


-1985-

12/? ~ Finalizer : Super Transformation ~ Konami
12/? ~ Section Z ~ Capcom
12/? ~ Sky Kid ~ Namco
12/? ~ 4-D Warriors ~ Coreland/Sega
11/? ~ ASO : Armored Scrum Object [Alpha Mission] ~ SNK/Namco
11/? ~ Gun.Smoke ~ Capcom
10/? ~ Tiger Heli ~ Toaplan/Taito
10/? ~ Terra Cresta ~ Nichibutsu
9 / ? ~ Gekitsui Oh [Zero Target] ~ Data East
9 / ? ~ Return of the Invaders ~ UPL/Taito
6 / ? ~ Wyvern F-0 ~ Taito
5 / ? ~ Gradius [Nemesis] ~ Konami
4 / ? ~ Raid on Bungeling Bay ~ Broderbund/Hudson/Nintendo<--original program by Will Wright
3 / ? ~ HAL 21 ~ SNK
3 / ? ~ Magmax ~ Nichibutsu
3 / 5 ~ Twinbee ~ Konami
2 / ? ~ Exed Exes [Savage Bees] ~ Capcom
2 / ? ~ Metal Soldier Isaac II ~ Taito
1 / ? ~ Dog Fight : Batten O'Hara no Sucharaka Kuuchuusen [Acrobatic Dogfight] ~ Technos Japan/Data East
? / ? ~ Repulse [Son of Phoenix, '99 The Last War] ~ Sega


-1984-

12/? ~ 1942 ~ Capcom
12/? ~ Liberation ~ Data East
12/? ~ Super Xevious ~ Namco
10/? ~ B-WINGS ~ Data East <-- 'New' version also released. Unknown changes.
9 / ? ~ EQUITES ~ Alpha Denshi (ADK)/Sega
9 / ? ~ Future Spy ~ Sega <-- isometric scroll
9 / ? ~ Star Force ~ Tehkan (Tecmo)
8 / ? ~ Metal Soldier Isaac ~ Taito
8 / ? ~ Two Tigers ~ Arcade Engineering Inc?/Bally Midway <-- used Spy Hunter-like analog wheel.
7 / ? ~ Formation Z [Aeroboto] ~ Jaleco
7 / ? ~ Gyrodine ~ Crux/Taito <-- Crux' only game, later go on to form Toaplan.
7 / ? ~ Mad Crasher ~ SNK <-- isometric scroll
6 / ? ~ Time Pilot '84 : Further Into Unknown World ~ Konami
5 / ? ~ Vulgus ~ Capcom
4 / ? ~ Gaplus [Galaga 3] ~ Namco
4 / ? ~ Hole Land ~ Tecfri/UEP
3 / ? ~ Mega Zone ~ Konami
3 / ? ~ Vanguard II ~ SNK
3 / ? ~ Zaviga ~ Data East
2 / ? ~ SCION ~ Seibu Denshi (aka Seibu, Seibu Kaihatsu)/Sigma
* / * ~ Fire Battle ~ Taito <-- Xevious ripoff. Prototype? Found no evidence of sale.



...to be continued. Spot any errors or additions...please share.


sources + special thanks: deep throat, Millenium Crisis (Rhydeen), Gamest magazine (R.I.P.), Arcadia magazine, GameSide magazine, Capcom Arcade Chronicle DVD, ~snog, UPL fan page, Tops, Try, G-Front, danmakugatta: shooting news (R.I.P.), AM-NET, Famitsu.com, Dengeki Online, konaken.com/assault. shmups forum members: incognoscente, llaoyllakcuf, PCEFX, Damocles, GaijinPunch, Valgar, MrMonkeyMan, NTSC-J, sven666, Rob, rtw, lgb, kotaro / Ast-Kot, MathU, gigadrive32, EOJ, Observer, hirounder, adversity1, Mero, RHE @ NG:DEV.TEAM [maws, KLOV, System16.com, CAESAR = some crossreference, non-JPN games]
------------------------------------------------------
updates


+ Hacha Mecha Fighter ~ NMK (1991)
+ 1990, ASD II corrected as ASO II, DDP II added "licensed by Cave"
+ "Operation Hell Dive" subtitle for RF2, added Mazinger Z ~ Banpresto (1994), changed Sonic Wings Limited sale date from '96 to '97 (first Gamest coverage in 3/97...estimate release date of 1/97), Sengeki Striker switched dev and pub: Warashi/Kaneko
+ 1989, changed Fire Shark from 1990 (overseas sale) to original 1989
+ Trigger Heart Exelica Ver.A (2006) <2P bug/freeze fix only>
+ P47 Aces ~ Jaleco (1995), Chouzikuu Yousai Macross: MACROSS II ~ Banpresto (1993), Super Space Fortress MACROSS ~ Banpresto (1992), Cosmo Gang : The Video ~ Namco (1991)
+ Sale dates for Armed Police Batrider B version and Battle Bakraid Unlimited version
+ Months of release for all Capcom STGs up to '96, Ultimate Ecology ~ Capcom changed from '93 to '94
- (1998) Red Hawk removed...that was the name for 'Stagger I' only during the loke test
+ (1997) Months of release for G.Darius Ver.2, Sengeki Striker, and Polystars. (1996) Month of release for Raiden Fighters. Hotdog Storm's release in Japan is questionable (1995) added titles: Desert War ~ NMK/Jaleco, Game Tengoku ~ Jaleco, Gratia ~ Jaleco, Skull Fang: Wolf Fang Gaiden ~ Nihon Bussan/AV Japan/Data East, Varia Metal ~ Excellent System. Added months of release for Namco CCvol1, Twinbee Yahhoo, Viper Phase 1, Viper Phase 1 New Version. Added developer NMK for P47 Aces. Mazinger Z changed from '94 to '95.
+ (1994) Eight Forces ~ Tecmo, Rapid Hero ~ NMK/Media Trading Corp, Super X ~ N.T.C./Mitchell?. Months of release for Raiden DX and Shippu Mahou Daisakusen.
+ (1993) Blue Hawk ~ Dooyong, Chimera Beast ~ Jaleco, Cybattler ~ Jaleco, Double-Wings ~ Mitchell, Fire Barrel ~ Irem, Nostradamus ~ FACE, Playgirls 2 ~ Hot-B, Sky Alert ~ Metro, Thunder Dragon 2 ~ NMK. Months of release for Raiden II and Mahou Daisakusen. Batsugun Special Version release clarified.
+ (1992) Blazeon ~ Atlus, Final Star Force ~ Tecmo, Flying Tiger ~ Dooyong, Gridseeker ~ Taito, Gun Nail ~ NMK/Tecmo, Mahou Keibitai GunHoki [overseas title: Mystic Riders]~ Irem, Ninja Commando ~ ADK (Alpha Denshi), Sand Scorpion Sasori ~ FACE, SD Gundam Neo Battling ~ Banpresto. Month of release for R-Type LEO. Developer -NMK- for Super Space Fortress MACROSS. Removed Grind Stormer, Western version of V-V (there is a significant difference in the powerup system, but oh well).
+ (1991) E.D.F. : Earth Defense Force ~ Jaleco , Gulf Storm ~ Dooyong, Pollux ~ Dooyong, Thunder Blaster ~ Irem, Thunder Dragon ~ NMK/Tecmo, Turbo Force ~ Video System. Months of release for Detana Twinbee, Black Heart, and Acrobat Mission. Dev -NMK- for Black Heart. Publisher -Tecmo- for Vimana. Last Resort changed from '92 to '91.
+ (2005-2006) Implosion...added the Senko no Ronde(s).
+ (1990) Twin Kaiser [Strato Fighter] ~ Tecmo. Months of release for Space Battleship Gomera, Dragon Saber, Raiden, USAAF Mustang. Added dev -NMK- for USAAF Mustang. Added overseas title for Majestic Twelve.
+ (Coming Soon) 2006 4th QTR? ~ Karous ~ Milestone. (2002) rare? ~ Cutey Fatty ~ Wecom
+ (2005) Rajirugi NEW version ~ Milestone
+ Rayforce changed from '93 to '94, (1993) Blue Hawk ~ changed dev/pub, (1992) Month of release for STRAHL (1991) Gulf War II ~ added note of 'overseas only', Pollux ~ changed dev/pub
+ (1989) Months of release for: R-Type II, Gradius III, Task Force Harrier, Omega Fighter, Blast Off. New entry: Asuka & Asuka ~ Taito, Fighting Hawk ~ Taito, Insector X ~ Taito, the Next Space ~ SNK
+ Mushihimesama 2 release date
+ (1995) Month of release for Game Tengoku, Skull Fang changed to '96. (1996) Months of release for the remaining games.
+ (1988) All list. (1993-94) Changed Batsugun to 1994
+ (2001) Wyvern / Wivern Wings [not Japan until 2004]
+ Months of release for Daisenpuu, Outzone, Last Resort, Last Duel, Lost Worlds
+ Thunderforce AC changed to 1991. Added titles: (2000) Mission Craft (1998) Sen Jin - Guardian Storm (1996) Air Attack [aka Air Raid or Sky Attack?] (1994) Zunzunkyou No Yabou (1992) S.S. Mission (1990) Pistol Daimyo no Bouken (w/month of release), Aurail, Tatakae! Big Fighter (1989) Tensaruu : Saint Dragon, MegaBlast, Bakutotsu Kijuutei : Baraduke II. Added publisher, Tecmo, for Hacha Mecha Fighter. Added publisher, Visco, to Stagger I and Sen Jin. Changed title of 1990's 'Twin Kaiser : Strato Fighter' to Raiga : Strato Fighter. Cotton changed from 1989 to 1991. Bootleg/hack information for Comad's Gulf War - II and other new entries.
+ (1998) Konami 80's Arcade Gallery (1988) Scramble Spirits
+ (2006) Mushihime-sama Futari ver 1.5 ~ Cave/AMI
+ (2000) HACK = Spectrum 2000 ~ Yona Tech
+ (1992) Changed dev to Nanao <internal Irem team> for R-Type LEO. Added dev for SD Gundam Neo Battling. New entry, Bakuretsu Breaker ~ Kaneko (1993) Added dev for Ryujin. Changed Daioh dev from Seta to Athena. Switched dev/pub for Blue Hawk (1994) New entry, Hyper Duel ~ Technosoft (1995) Added dev for Ultra X Weapons (2001) New entry, HACK = Fire Hawk ~ ESD
+ (1993) Publisher, Kaneko, for War of Aero, (all) misc spelling/title stuff
+ (2006) //Cave Festival only, no arcade release// Mushihime-sama ver 1.5 Blue Label, Mushihime-sama Futari ver 1.5 Red Label (PCB prize x3), Mushihime-sama Futari ver 1.01 (2004) Month and day of release for Wyvern Wings
+ (1995) Desert War .. prioritized JPN title, Wangan Sensou (2006) Ibara Black Label .. added 'Kuro' proper in the title
+ (Coming Soon) Muchi Muchi Pork! ~ Cave/AMI, notes for Raiden IV ..trying to keep notes to a minimum here ..oi (2002) notes for Cutey Fatty
+ (Coming Soon) EXZEAL ~ Triangle Service, Otomedius ~ Konami
+ Raiden IV ETA early July '07
+ (1990) Publisher, Tecmo, for Outzone (Coming Soon) loke test info for Muchi Muchi Pork
+ (2007) Finally, the first release of 2007 is here. Muchi Muchi Pork! ~ Cave/AMI
+ (2005) Sale dates for SnR NEW and Rajirugi NEW
+ (Coming Soon) Scheduled sale date for Raiden IV, Rumored sale date for Otomedius, new entry: Tenshi no Juusha, from Cave
+ (1987) all list
+ (1986) all list .. rough// heavy dose of borderliners
+ (Coming Soon) EXZEAL sale date
+ (Coming Soon) DEATHSMILES ~ Cave = title switch for Tenshi no Juusha
+ (Coming Soon) Illvelo ~ Milestone, Mamoro-kun ~ Gulti/G.rev, further notes for other games. (2006) bug fix notes
+ (2007) Ketsui "FESTIVAL VER."
- (1989) Atomic ROBO-KID ~ UPL //mistake, double entry
+ (2007) Deathsmiles ~ Cave/AMI, Otomedius ~ Konami (1994) Eight Forces .. added dev = Allumer
+ (1995) hack? ~ Silver Millennium ~ PARA
+ (Coming Soon) Mushi2 BL sale date. (1990) Raiden ~ Seibu Kaihatsu, added publisher Tecmo. (1997) Raiden Fighters Jet ~ Seibu Kaihatsu, added publisher Able Corp Ltd.
+ (1987) Hishozame [Flying Shark *Intl, Sky Shark *USA] ~ Toaplan/Taito
+ (2007) games of Cave Festival winter '07 (#3). xtra special thanks GP
+ (Coming Soon) DDP Dai-Fukkatsu ~ Cave
+ (1999) Added publisher, Able Corp Ltd., for Battle Bakraid. (2001) publisher, Capcom, for Dodonpachi II : Bee Storm. Various cleanups, added publishers, back to 1993
+ (Coming Soon) AOU'08 game updates
+ (1996, 1998) Added publisher, Able Corp Ltd., for Battle Garegga, Soukyugurentai, Batrider.
+ (Coming Soon) Illvelo + Mamoru-kun estimated sale date (2008) first shooting = DDP DFK
+ (1993-1995) Sale dates for the rest of Psikyo - Sengoku Ace, Gunbird, Strikers 1945 (2008) Illvelo sale date
+ (2008) DDP DFK ver 1.5
+ (ALL) Sale dates for everything in the GRADIUS universe. (Coming Soon) Mamoru-kun sale date
+(1993) Note for V-V about regional differences (Grindstormer)
+ (2008) Cave Festival version of DDP Dai-Fukkatsu
+ (Coming Soon) Deathsmiles Black Label
+ (1995, 1996, 1997) Viper Phase 1, Raiden Fighters, Raiden Fighters 2: added publisher Nihon System Inc (aka NSI)
+ (1998) note about ESP RA.DE bug fix version
+ (1993) Developer notes about Daioh (1992) Developer notes about Sonic Wings (1989) Sale date for Dragon Breed ~ Irem. "Not for sale" note for Omega Fighter Special.
+ Brain Busters special...added/corrected months of release for (1993) Batsugun, Mahou Daisakusen, Kaitei Daisensou, The Great Ragtime Show. (1992) Sonic Wings, Cosmo Gang : The Video. (1991) Metal Black, Cotton, Detana!! Twinbee, Gun Frontier. (1990) Trigon, Kuhga : Operation Code "Vapor Trail" (1989) Same! Same! Same! [Fire Shark], DARIUS II, Dragon Breed, Phelios. (1988) Thunder Cross, Ordyne. (1987) DARIUS.
+ (Coming Soon) Radirgy 2 ~ Milestone (1990s) Huge update...25+ release dates, etc.
+ (1986-1989) Another huge update. Removed a lot of borderliners. Now to tackle '85 and under...
+ (1997) Notes about Solar Assault Revised.
+ (1984-1985) all lists
+ (2008) Fantasy Zone II, System 16 ver (coin-op ver not for sale, exhibition only). Thanks gigadrive32 and Rob for the heads up.
+ (Coming Soon) Deathsmiles 2, updates for Radirgy 2 and Trouble Witches AC.
+ (1989) (1984) on lock! -$$$ update-
+ (ALL) ToaPlan and Psikyo : added all missing dates and publishers. Now 100%! (1994) Sale dates for Rapid Hero, Zunzunkyou No Yabou, Eight Forces.
+ (1993) (1985-1988) months of release for most all that were missing, other misc corrections.
+ (1990-1992, 1994-1997) various bulky updates
+ (Coming Soon) Exception ~ i-saint. Thanks to Observer.(2008) Cave games: note about upgraded old hardware. Thanks to EOJ.
+ (Coming Soon) Sale dates for Senko no Ronde DUO, Trouble Witches AC, Rajirugi Noa, and Deathsmiles II.
+ (2000) Unreleased game -> Variant Schwanzer ~ Seta. I'll try to add more proto/unreleased games from now on.
+ (2010) DFK-BL, KOF Sky Stage sale dates (2009) Senko no Ronde DUO ver. 2.00
+ (ALL) Overseas titles added for Rapid Hero, Thunder Dragon II, Rayforce, Rabio Lepus, Sonic Wings Limited. Removed Kiki KaiKai entry.

Wyvern wings was'nt coming out in 2001 ?

http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?let ... e_id=12787[url]

Or it's another version ?

Protip: MAME offers release months for many shooters - for example, Flying Shark is 03/1987.

There is a problem in that it's not clear if this is the finalized code date, first sale date, date the flyer was issued, or somebody's recollection. Not having first hand information makes fixing release dates more an art than a science, I'm afraid. Although it is always possible there is some secret trove of information I wasn't told about

2001 is the original copyright date, however there doesn't seem to be any solid info of there being a distribution/sale at that time (maybe someone who has played this in the arcade between 2001-2003 will step forward). Definitely for Japan it was first released in 2004. Most likely US + EU as well (one source says it was a resale), though the list here is tailored from Japan releases, so I'm not as concerned.

I will add it to 2001 column with a note. Also change the dev to Semicom for 2004. Checking around once more, it seems certain that Game Vision didn't develop Wyvern Wings. One member on the boards here (PsikyoFan?) stated that Semicom didn't develop WW either, which I think is only true in the sense that they possibly contracted the dev guys from freelance.

Wyvern Wings was shown at the 2002 and 2004 California Extreme shows and available for purchase as either as full upright cab for $400.00 USD or as a brand new PCB kit for $350.00 USD courtesy of Sacramento Amusements based in Sacramento, California. I got to try it out and it reminded me of the similar gameplay of the Psikyo's Strikers 1945, 1945 II & 1999 type of arcade shmuup PCBs. ^_~

I haven't seen it available for sale since then at either the 2005 or 2006 California Extreme shows..... ^_~

Wyvern Wing's ending credits list a chock full of South Korean developement staff for creating the actual game...(unless oxtsu's right about WW being outsourced for the actual gaming engine itself). ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

That list is just awesome. Thanks. I hope it can be saved on a website somewhere.
There was a similar thread in the past, but this is way more worked out.
If you can find the thread I had a KLOV link to sort all shooters, but you already did that.
Gunspike is not a shmup, you obviously like it, so I will not say anything about it, it will be our little secret
Perhaps with this list now links to official sites can be added.
even sites that are offline can be brought back to life via the "way back archive" site http://web.archive.org/
thanks

Great work, this should be stickied!

Wow... that is indeed pretty impressive. Nice work.

Looking in the very few Gamest issues I have:

Daisenpu/Twin Hawk - June 1989 (from a preview)
Outzone - beginning of September 1990 (also a preview)
Last Resort - April 24, 1992 (from an ad)

What a great list.

R-Type Leo came out in '92? It's that old?!!! Damn!

Thanks everybody! :)

Updated with new info from PCEFX and incognoscente.

some more:

Pistol Daimyo no Bouken - Namco - 1990
Scramble Spirits - Sega - 1988
Sen Jin - Guardian Storm - Afega - 1998
Zunzunkyou No Yabou - Sega - 1994

*bootlegs/hacks*
Mission Craft - Sun - 2000 (board pic)
S.S. Mission - Comad - 1992
Twin Action - Afega - 1995



it is just 1945k III, no "Strikers" in the title.

? / ? ~ Rajirugi NEW ver. ~ Milestone/Sega

is this the one with internet passwords

Nice! That's what I like to see. Thanks for your input and coming well prepared as usual.

-many updates-



Dunno

For oxtsu,

Namco also produced the rare U.S. Bios version of Tenkomori Variety Shooting PCB along with it's original Japanese Bios counterpart version of Tenkomori Shooting PCB as well. I do have the JPN ver. and have tried out the USA ver. at the 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 California Extreme shows...the USA ver. is so rare in that I can only recall seeing it at the CAX show as the only one that seems to exist (I haven't seen it anywhere else but only at that show) -- a USA Namco employee was in charge of handling the translation from Japanese to English language. Other than the "all English text translations" aside, both the JPN & USA Bios versions of Tenkomori Shooting/Tenkomori Variety Shooting PCBs are identical in shape and form though..... ^_~

Perhaps, Namco USA was planning to release the USA Bios ver. of Tenkomori Variety Shooting PCB for distribution to American arcades but I've never seen it...perhaps the version shown at the 2006 CAX show could be a possible "prototype" version or an actual production Jamma PCB -- (I would have to inquire with the original owners as to how they acquired it...would make for some interesting background story of this truly rare USA Bios. ver. of Tenkomori Variety Shooting PCB). I recall that not very many JPN Bios. ver. of Tenkomori Shooting PCBs were made for the Japanese arcade market anyways... ^_~

Hmmm, this all-English Tenkomori Variety Shooting PCB piques my interest in it all the more regarding it's mysterious origin and exactly what happened...perhaps the fine folks at Namco of Japan would be so kind to share their thoughts about it... ^_~

(Sure, it'd be nice to ask the owners of this particular rare Tenkomori Variety Shooting PCB if it's possible to burn some EPROMs for converting such JPN Bios ver. of Tenkomori Shooting PCB into all-English language version just for fun...) ^_~

The Tenkomori Variety Shooting cabinet even has the rare USA Namco arcade marquee signage as well...a beautiful piece of rare shmup supplemental material to accompany the actual PCB itself...(this marquee wasn't included with the original JPN ver. though) -- so if it should ever end up for sale (I don't see how it could be for sale though), it would command a hefty collector's price indeed... ^_~

Dave K. has played this rare USA ver. of Tenkomori Variety Shooting PCB at the 2006 CAX show as he PM'ed me about it when I asked him if he got the chance to play some of the various arcade shmup titles set on 'Free Play' mode..... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Wowzers.. another hack of Psikyo's engine -- SPECTRUM 2000, from S.Korean dev YONA Tech.

PCB for auction
Caesar page

Unless I'm wrong, that's actually just a clone of Fire Hawk.

EDIT: (From MAWS) 27th November 2005: David Haywood - Added support for Spectrum 2000 which is really just the same game as FireHawk and all the others running on the afega driver. The tile roms (and sprites) are missing.

Meh...might as well...

1993 - Hyper Duel - Technosoft
1992 - Explosive Breaker - Kaneko

great work Oxtsu

Are smash tv and total carnage considered shooters?

Droid

One is tate, the other vert-yoko. Fire Hawk came later. There is some trembling here.

I will change the 'Strikers' reference from the Spectrum 2000 entry.



OK, thanks.

Hyper Duel actually came out in '94.



Thanks, droid.

-plead the Fifth-

you can add all the special pcbs from the cave festival:
-mushihimesama blue label
-mushihimesama futari 1.5 red label *scoretrial*
-mushihimesama futari 1.01

Will do. Even though they aren't getting a distribution, let's make an exception here.

Tell me the official names.

Is this correct?

Mushihime-sama Blue Label <---is 'ver 1.5' written in-game?
Mushihime-sama Futari ver 1.5 Red Label 'festival score trial ver'
Mushihime-sama Futari ver 1.01 'Ketsui style ver'

and show date 12/28?

im not even sure what the 1.01 version is.
mushihimesama blue label and futari red label are the official names yes.i know that you can win the red label pcb but what about the blue label one?

Added the Cave Festival stuff +wide comments.

Thanks GaijinPunch, NTSC-J and sven666.

Added first shooting of 2007.

I have a tendency to not bump this with every update, for future reference.

For oxtsu,

Please add Raiden II "New Version '96" PCB -- 1996 from Seibu Kaihatsu

and

Raiden DX "New Version '96" PCB -- 1996 from Seibu Kaihatsu

They both were officially released from Seibu... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Senko no Ronde NEW version: August 5, 2005
Rajirugi new version: December 28, 2005 (can't corroborate this with another source, but I can't find contradictory dates, either)

Don't forget, 1982 - Time Pilot, made by Konami.

-21 gun salute-

Added 1987 all list.