Need help writing a shmup article

[eatdogs]

I realize this is more than ten games, but representing each developer is important if you are going for the historic view while still maintaining quality.

10. Takumi - (Gigawing and Mars Matrix)
9. Treasure - (Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga)
8. irem - R-Type series (not sure which)
7. Seibu - Raiden series (Raiden DX or Raiden Fighter Jet)
6. Zun - Touhou series (no clue, never played them)
5. Psikyo - (Strikers/Gunbird etc)
4. Taito - (Rayforce and Darius series)
3. Toaplan - (Batsugun)
2. Konami - (Gradius series "Gaiden or Gradius V")
1. Cave - (Dodonpachi series)
GOD TIER. Raizing - (Yagawa trilogy "Battle Garegga/Batrider/Bakraid")

Couldn't fit Capcom for the 1942 series, some oddballs and personal favorites like Cyvern, Air Gallet, MUSHA, thunderforce series, etc.

Awesome. I can't believe I totally forgot about Gradius gaiden. I wish I could expand the list to include developers, but yeah, it'd be too long.

[NTSC-J]

A group of scientists working with the Pew Research Center recently compiled a list of shmups based on all lists of shmups ever made:

10. Dodonpachi (I don't actually like bullet-hells, but it needs a mention for hardcore points)
9. Raiden (Remember Raiden? I don't actually play shmups, so I don't know which is the best or how many games there are in the series, but most shmups are the same so it's probably the first one)
8. Gradius (Remember Gradius? I don't actually play shmups, so I don't know which is the best or how many games there are in the series, but most shmups are the same so it's probably the first one. Also, horis for the win!)
7. R-Type (Remember R-Type? I don't actually play shmups, so I don't know which is the best or how many games there are in the series, but most shmups are the same so it's probably the first one. Also, horis for the win!)
6. Einhander (shit was like Blade Runner! Can't recall if it was a good game or not)
5. Space Invaders (Because RESPECT, right?)
4. Galaga (I don't know the difference between this and Space Invaders. But RESPECT, right?)
3. Sina More (it's NEW! and NEW is better! amazing graphics, story, items, cool)
2. Ikaruga (Treasure, 'nuff said)
1. Radiant Silvergun (I have not played this game for more than 10 minutes)

eatdogs, just use the top 10 we voted on and throw Space Invaders in instead of one of the Cave games to make your editors happy.

[eatdogs]

A group of scientists working with the Pew Research Center recently compiled a list of shmups based on all lists of shmups ever made:

10. Dodonpachi (I don't actually like bullet-hells, but it needs a mention for hardcore points)
9. Raiden (Remember Raiden? I don't actually play shmups, so I don't know which is the best or how many games there are in the series, but most shmups are the same so it's probably the first one)
8. Gradius (Remember Gradius? I don't actually play shmups, so I don't know which is the best or how many games there are in the series, but most shmups are the same so it's probably the first one. Also, horis for the win!)
7. R-Type (Remember R-Type? I don't actually play shmups, so I don't know which is the best or how many games there are in the series, but most shmups are the same so it's probably the first one. Also, horis for the win!)
6. Einhander (shit was like Blade Runner! Can't recall if it was a good game or not)
5. Space Invaders (Because RESPECT, right?)
4. Galaga (I don't know the difference between this and Space Invaders. But RESPECT, right?)
3. Sina More (it's NEW! and NEW is better! amazing graphics, story, items, cool)
2. Ikaruga (Treasure, 'nuff said)
1. Radiant Silvergun (I have not played this game for more than 10 minutes)

eatdogs, just use the top 10 we voted on and throw Space Invaders in instead of one of the Cave games to make your editors happy.

Ha ha yeah that would be way easier. We'll see. I probably won't start on this list until next week sometime. I'm getting a good idea of what I'll write about now.

[Plasmo]

A group of scientists working with the Pew Research Center recently compiled a list of shmups based on all lists of shmups ever made:

10. Dodonpachi (I don't actually like bullet-hells, but it needs a mention for hardcore points)
9. Raiden (Remember Raiden? I don't actually play shmups, so I don't know which is the best or how many games there are in the series, but most shmups are the same so it's probably the first one)
8. Gradius (Remember Gradius? I don't actually play shmups, so I don't know which is the best or how many games there are in the series, but most shmups are the same so it's probably the first one. Also, horis for the win!)
7. R-Type (Remember R-Type? I don't actually play shmups, so I don't know which is the best or how many games there are in the series, but most shmups are the same so it's probably the first one. Also, horis for the win!)
6. Einhander (shit was like Blade Runner! Can't recall if it was a good game or not)
5. Space Invaders (Because RESPECT, right?)
4. Galaga (I don't know the difference between this and Space Invaders. But RESPECT, right?)
3. Sina More (it's NEW! and NEW is better! amazing graphics, story, items, cool)
2. Ikaruga (Treasure, 'nuff said)
1. Radiant Silvergun (I have not played this game for more than 10 minutes)

eatdogs, just use the top 10 we voted on and throw Space Invaders in instead of one of the Cave games to make your editors happy.

List needs more Jamestown and REZ. The reasons are obviuos.

[blackoak]

With so many good shmups it's hard to justify Jamestown in a top 10 list like that, but it would be there for me. It's the only great multiplayer shmup I've played. Didn't get enough love from the 1P-centric shmup community, sadly. Someone should really do a sequel that builds on and improves the ideas already there.

[Plasmo]

Well, I was obviously being sarcastic. Jamestown is pretty crap, but the hype is too stronk.

[spadgy]

Ditch Space Invaders for Xevious if you're wanting a historical slant. Everyone knows Space Invaders. Ditch Galaga and go with either Radiant Silvergun or Ikaruga, not both (or merge, if you're including Touhou as a series rather than a given title). Replace them with a Raizing and Toaplan title respectively. Battle Garegga and Kyukyoku Tiger/Twin Cobra go nicely with a historical perspective.

Aleste instead of Zanac? More scope for a bit of discussion around the wider franchise.

Please don't go down the trendy route and stick Ikaruga at #1

I'm still considering putting Ikaruga at number one anyway. I have no problem with that.

I thoroughly enjoy Ikaruga, and it certainly helped turn my interest in shmups 'up to 11'; it was my gateway to really devoting myself to the genre, it's a great ambassador for the genre. It's also gloriously designed.

So it probably deserves a spot on any such list. But because of how distinct it is, or rather how atypical it is, I'd question its suitability for the top spot in a list with the remit it sounds like yours has.

Actually, I'm reminded of Rupert H's great article on Ikaruga's status; itself a response to me mentioning Ikaruga in a piece on DoDonPachi.

Of course, it's your list, so if you think it should be number one, it should be number one!

[Squire Grooktook]

Well, I was obviously being sarcastic. Jamestown single player is kinda sorta decent, but the multiplayer is too stronk.

I modified this a bit to be more in accordance with my own personal opinions.

[mastermx]

Gradius 1 and R-Type 1 must be on the list. I would also place space invaders as number 1 to pay tribute to the God father of the genre. Dodonpachi needs a spot as being most people's entry level bullet hell.

Xevious introduced vertical shmups so that also needs a spot. Also remove Recca and Zanac, they don't deserve a spot as other more influential spots. Add star soldier which definitely deserves a spot, introducing caravan style scoring and being a big hit in Japan.

For popular modern shmups that people would recognise add more cave, like deathsmiles. They were the last prolific non doujin shmup devs.

[Elaphe]

I would also consider Asteroids and Defender.

[eatdogs]

I wish I could add something unique like fuzzical fighter to the list, but no one's probably heard of that game outside this forum. I have a repro cart of it and it's great. Rpg + shmup = awesome!