Rob's NES shooter countdown.

Twiddle · Post by **Twiddle** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:32 pm

Rob wrote:
Turrican wrote:Not even the ricochet bullet option earns it a few positions?
Damn, wish I didn't overlook this. Much better alternative to simply increasing the difficulty. Would've easily hit the top 10.

hahahahah

TKGB_Mental_Gear · Post by **TKGB_Mental_Gear** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:48 pm

Oh! I love Gun Nac. It's the easy man's Aleste. Though I kept dying.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:52 pm

Ceph wrote:Coming from Rob, what other scores did you expect?

But I respect Rob's issue with Compile. He's a fair reviewer, not a boring troll (like Twiddle).

The Coop · Post by **The Coop** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:04 pm

Nuke wrote:Is it alright that I borrow your idea for a SMS shooter countdown Rob?

I was thinking of doing the same thing

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:48 pm

Sonic R wrote:
Nuke wrote:Is it alright that I borrow your idea for a SMS shooter countdown Rob?
Can I borrow your idea for a Turbo Grafx-16 countdown? A wonderful idea this is

That's one I definitely want to do. I've had all of the shooters downloaded and everything, but I wouldn't bother until much later this year or next year, so fair game. Can you do the CD games? Or maybe I could.

SMS - go for it! That should be a quick one, right?

Sonic R · Post by **Sonic R** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:09 pm

Rob wrote:
Sonic R wrote:
Nuke wrote:Is it alright that I borrow your idea for a SMS shooter countdown Rob?
Can I borrow your idea for a Turbo Grafx-16 countdown? A wonderful idea this is
That's one I definitely want to do. I've had all of the shooters downloaded and everything, but I wouldn't bother until much later this year or next year, so fair game. Can you do the CD games? Or maybe I could.

SMS - go for it! That should be a quick one, right?

I could do the CD games

I have all USA Turbo CD/Duo games and also have 6 import titles as well.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:27 pm

Doing only US-Turbo games is lame, cuz so many of the good titles wre never released in the US.

PlasmaBlooD has ALL PC-Engine shooters, maybe he should do the countdown.

P_HAT · Post by **P_HAT** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:35 pm

CIT wrote: PlasmaBlooD has ALL PC-Engine shooters, maybe he should do the countdown.

Post by **Shatterhand** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:43 pm

would anyone actually be interested in an MSX "countdown" ? If not I'll just go for the bigger mame project......

P_HAT · Post by **P_HAT** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:51 pm

Shatterhand wrote:would anyone actually be interested in an MSX "countdown" ? If not I'll just go for the bigger mame project......

i interested

btw, tnx Rob, this is one of best tread that i read there

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:14 pm

Don't want to be an asshole, but could we forget for a moment all the other amazing pieces of hardware and get back to NES shmups?

I mean, part of the coolness of this thread is because it doesn't happen often to have a comprehensive retrospective on NES games, by a Gigawing player no less. But if we just start discussing MSX, what's the point?

We'll have plenty of time to discuss PCE and the rest when someones come up with his own list.

Sonic R · Post by **Sonic R** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:58 pm

CIT wrote:Doing only US-Turbo games is lame, cuz so many of the good titles wre never released in the US.

PlasmaBlooD has ALL PC-Engine shooters, maybe he should do the countdown.

The thing is I only have ALL USA Turbo Grafx games and have only been able to import titles in the last 7 years

and have picked up a few titles in that time across all console.

I am sorry I even suggest participate in this type of thing.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:10 pm

I think most of the best PC-E shooters were brought over, of course the CD selection has (a lot) more gaps.

Back to the countdown soon, Turrican.

Twiddle · Post by **Twiddle** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:01 am

Turrican wrote:
Ceph wrote:Coming from Rob, what other scores did you expect?
But I respect Rob's issue with Compile. He's a fair reviewer, not a boring troll (like Twiddle).

I'm sorry nobody else liked R-Type Final. Actually, no I'm not.

(psst please review guardian legend next)

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:18 am

17Chuka Taisen

Competent cutesy shooter with platformer-sized hitbox, samey stage layouts and decent (looking) bosses.

5/10

16Burai Fighter

Another entry in the then favored flying man multi-directional shooter. About as much personality as Section Z. I died for that second screenshot and it wasn't worth it.

5/10

15Hector 87

The masochist choice of NES shooters, no contest. I would like this game a lot more if it made appreciating the challenge a little easier. The lifebar is about good for nothing, often fully depleting in one or two hits, at which point you start the entire stage over. And there are no continues. Credit for an exciting first stage.

5/10

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:31 am

14Gun.Smoke

WANTED: the intensity of the original arcade game. Basically the same simple formula of left and right tilting fire while enemies swarm around (the lower portion of the screen). Apparently that's the only screenshot I took. Still better than most.

5/10

13The Guardian Legend [TGL mode]

There's something special about shooting stages when mixed with an inferior genre, but take them on their own and something is definitely missing. Although it does seem to have more action than Compile's other efforts of the time. Using an extra screen to switch weapons is a little awkward.

5/10

12Gyruss

Slightly reminiscent of Contra's forward-scrolling base stages, except in a full circle (not particularly evident in these screens). Very short stages with difficulty slow in coming, but Konami quality shines through. Surprisingly fun.

6/10

11SCAT

Another Side Arms type of game, this one with a Contra look. You can rotate and lock options in place, not quite spread shot. Bosses usually have a simple trick of small or no movements while the options do the work. Not bad.

6/10

TOP 10!

szycag · Post by **szycag** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:40 am

Man I love this thread, you rock for doing it... it's one of the most entertaining threads in a while. Dare I say it's the thread ever. I'm gonna do a Game Boy 8-bit one soon... if I can stomach it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoGKzKhK_8Q

SCAT side by side with Final Mission. The japanese version. It had a much more dismal tone and a name in no way related to feces.

shinsage · Post by **shinsage** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:01 am

I can't believe you gave Starship Hector such a decent score.

Hell, a 2/10 for that game is being generous.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:09 am

No way. That game could've been a contender if the programmer didn't hate people so much.

Battlesmurf · Post by **Battlesmurf** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:51 am

I <3 abadox

I'm curious to see where that places in all of this (if any)

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:13 am

10! Crisis Force

Its title screen says Konami, but its heart says C*mpile. In fact this game kind of creeps me out since it's like a compendium of past and future games. I'm reminded of just about every one of their games from Gunhed to Robo Aleste.

The icons in the top left corner? Uhh. A hit powering you down before destroying you, also Compile. Often not realizing what hit you. Compile. Gimmicky environment obstacles that look cool once at the expense of replayable game. Compile again. Decent game, but it's the graphics that got it here and barely.

6/10

Sonic R · Post by **Sonic R** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:24 am

Now it is get exciting!

That is a very interesting perspective on Crisis Force. I am huge Compile fan and I am very much enjoy Crisis Force - but never think to look at it like that. Awesome!

I can't believe you gave Starship Hector such a decent score.

Hell, a 2/10 for that game is being generous.

I don't believe that you are rate Starship Hector well either. Better than Gun-Nac? Oops wait these are Rob rankings

Post by **Shatterhand** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:46 pm

I didn't know SCAT, seems like a very good game.

Gyruss on NES rocks, they updated the Arcade version very well.

And I wouldn't talk about MSX games on THIS thread, I'd do it somewher else, obviously. This here is Rob's show only

FRO · Post by **FRO** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:16 pm

CMoon wrote:
CMoon wrote:Is this community service for not releasing the port ever, or did you just lose a bet?

Edit: Honestly, this would be like asking me to review hip-hop albums. Who made you do this Rob?!!
It is at that point I want to say 'I told you so'. For what its worth, I admit it is sometimes really hard to go back from the newer shmups to the NES classics.

Sometimes, yes, but I still go back to the NES versions of 1943, Twin Cobra, Burai Fighter, and Fantasy Zone (for lack of an SMS) often. However, playing games like Star Soldier or Flying Shark can be downright painful.

Oh, and SCAT rocks. I play that still as well.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:42 pm

9! Adventures of Dino Riki

Adventures of DR feels a little bit closer to a PC-E shooter than most (it's a fine line) and feels satisfying despite how easy it is. Obviously Adventure Island-inspired, there are similar collection of enemies, power-ups (some hidden) and occasional platform jumping. The main drawback, as is the case for many NES shooters, is the quickness with which the bosses will fall.

6/10

Mortificator · Post by **Mortificator** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:54 pm

Shatterhand wrote:I didn't know SCAT

Ah, to be so blissfully ignorant.

FRO wrote:SCAT rocks.

Get help.

Nuke · Post by **Nuke** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:55 pm

I was going for it, but you beat me to it.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:57 pm

8!Gradius

Still a more than playable classic game, the series' most identifiable features are all here. Gradius has a surprisingly fair sized hitbox for the time. Doesn't seem to have changed much over the years, and the action can get pretty fast.

6/10

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:25 pm

After your harsh reviews of Gun Nac and TGL

I had fully expected you to have torn up the previously mentioned Abadox (another of my NES faves) by now Rob. No plans for that one?

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:03 pm

Abadox!

7!Abadox

Abadox is a nice imitation of Life Force, but not completely bound by that game and a little harder. My favorite thing about it are the downwards scrolling vertical stages. It works well and feels fresh, also adds a sense of sinking into the depths rather than the more aggressive flying to a destination/escaping/whatever of typical verticals.

6/10

6!Life Force

The first auto-scrolling shooter I remember playing. It does side-scrolling stages a bit better than vertical. Stages often have some easy sequence/safe spot to remember and things turn a little too easy. Bosses are highly vulnerable to rapidfire. The soundtrack is enough to kick this one up a notch, though.

7/10