What is your favorite shmup that isn't a bullet hell?

[the1truepickaxe]

You know what I mean

[Shepardus]

Touhou

[theclaw]

Ikaruga feels unique.

For those who more broadly define shmups, I'm fond of Star Fox 64.

[Jeneki]

Viper Phase 1 is my guilty pleasure game.

Nothing from Raizing after and including Battle Bakraid

I wouldn't call Brave Blade bullet hell.

[davyK]

Does Layer Section count? Very found of that.

[Steamflogger Boss]

Does Layer Section count? Very found of that.

Great choice. It's definitely not a bullet hell.

Soukyugurentai is a favorite of mine. Just an excellent game. I really like Under Defeat too. Hard to pick just one...

[Stevens]

Under Defeat

Zero Ranger (haven't gotten far enough yet to know if it even counts as non bullet hell) - Yes I know it came out yesterday and it could just be shiny new toy syndrome, but it is one slick package. Really impressed with the amount of effort that went into it.

[Regdren C.]

I'm getting a lot of enjoyment from Raiden 4. Most of its patterns aren't that complex but routing for quick kills can consume countless hours.

[mycophobia]

Tatsujin. Also this:

For those who more broadly define shmups, I'm fond of Star Fox 64.

[poptart]

raiden dx, gradius 4, mushi 1.5 og max, batrider, under defeat and dadgun feveron

i prefer non bullet hells tbh.

[Lyv]

Most of Psikyo's output, especially Strikers II and III, and Sengoku Blade.

[Gamer707b]

Im going with the classic Thunder Force 3 and Darius Gaiden. I can never get tired of either one.

[the1truepickaxe]

Touhou

That is a bullet hell

[opt2not]

Raiden DX
R-Type
Galaga ‘88
1942
Strikers 1945 II & Plus

[mice]

Gun.Smoke

[garrz32]

R-Type
Hyper Duel
Salamander

[Square_Air]

Dangun Feveron, Robotron 2084, Gunbird 2, and Rayforce.

Nothing from Cave

I wouldn't call Dangun Feveron a bullet hell.

Touhou

That is a bullet hell

yeah, it's almost like your list didn't "pretty much cover it".

[Liquidus0]

Einhander !

That gem from Squaresoft is the shmup that confirmed me in my teenage years that I was going to be forever a fan of shooting games.

The weapon system, the level design, the music, I loved it all !

Honorable mention to Axelay from Konami that was the very first shmup I played when I was a kid. I still enjoy it a lot today.

[Goompaolo9500]

Ship that has a hitbox=bullet hell.

[Immryr]

So every shmup is a bullet hell, then?

Great insight.

[FRO]

So many great games in this thread! Anyone who has seen me post in this forum since its inception will know my default answer is Thunder Force IV. I'm also on board for RayStorm and its predecessor, Darius Gaiden and G Darius, Einhander, most Psykio stuff, Souky, and more. Most anything from the 8 & 16-bit eras I can find enjoyment in.

[copy-paster]

Gradius Gaiden.

Runner up: G-Darius, Gradius V, Batsugun Special.

[Craft_XIII]

Top 15 is the best I could do...

1. Raiden DX
2. Ray Force/Gunlock/Layer Section/Galactic Attack
3. Zanac Neo
4. Darius Gaiden
5. Trouble Shooter/Battle Mania
6. Raiden Fighters
7. Seirei Senshi Spriggan
8. Gradius Gaiden
9. Fire Shark(Genesis version for that grimy soundtrack)
10. R-Type III
11. Hyper Duel(Saturn enhanced version)
12. Thunder Force IV
13. Truxton(Genesis version for that nasty soundtrack)
14. 1943 Kai
15. Gate of Thunder

I've got some honorable mentions too...

1. DariusBurst CS (could be argued to be bullet hell in certain ways)
1. Nex Machina (Eugene Jarvis type Robo-Tron shooter, probably considered bullet hell, but not in the traditional sense. Awesome game).
2. Downwell (this is a great downward scrolling, run based, shooter. Has TATE too)
2. Retro/Grade (More of a rhythm game in a shooter wrapper, but its a unique gem in my opinion).
3. Space Invaders Infinity Gene
4. Space Invaders Extreme
5. Judgement SilverSword Resurrection(this turns bullet hell pretty quick, but Cardinal Sin which is included is less bullet hell and is goal based)
6. Space Dave! (fun Space Invaders type shooter for the Nintendo Switch with some surprising depth to the mechanics. From the makers of Woah Dave which was also good).
7. Granada (Genesis/Mega Drive, 8 directional free scrolling tank based shooter)
8. Gradius V
9. Thunder Force III
10. Thunder Force VI(I've come around on this one a bit... it's a remix/rehash, but towards the end it gets much better).
11. Under Defeat

[Craft_XIII]

Batsugun Special.

If Batsugun can be considered non-bullet hell, then that would certainly make my Top 15 too. It's one of my favorites. I didn't include it because I've always considered it to actually be the genesis of bullet-hell shooters. A turning point.

[Kollision]

Darius II

[poptart]

Batsugun Special.

[WarpedByTheNHK]

Raiden Fighters 2, but so far I have only really devoted time to these non bullet hells: Gradius arcade, Salamander arcade, metal black, Gradius III snes, Axelay, Blazing Lazers, Soldier Blade, Gate of Thunder, Super Aleste, Thunder Force III, Musha Aleste, Lords of Thunder, Salamander famicom, Hydorah, and of course RF 2.

[Square_Air]

Spoiler

Batsugun Special.

3/10

[drauch]

This guy is really making a nice name for himself.

[Goompaolo9500]

So every shmup is a bullet hell, then?

Great insight.

I meant, a visible hitbox pn your ship=bullet hell.