Recommendations for Japan-exclusive PS1 shmups

[suicider]

Compared to the Saturn library of shmup-heaven the PS1 always kinda feels left out in the 32-Bit era. I recently acquired Toaplan Shooting Battle and really like it. I also have Raiden Project which is great too and eventually want to get Cotton and maybe Harmful Park (damn price-tag). But what else is there to explore on the PSX? Any recommendations for exclusive titles? I know there are also some better ports compared to Saturn (DoDonPachi, Strikers 1945 II), but I'd rather have them for the Saturn (for being the overall better shmup console).

[BIL]

Raiden DX is an easy recommend if you're enjoying Toaplan SBv1 and Raiden Project. The single most essential PS1 shooter, imo. Tough as hell and packed with content. Note that Hamster's reprint chopped out the playable Sen Kyuu demo - not sure if it's missing anything else, but I went with the original just to be safe. I'm usually okay with Hamster but didn't want to chance anything with this particular game.

Gradius Gaiden is technically on PSP but it's another must-mention. The PSOne Books reprint should be easier to source than the original and PlayStation The Best prints, and aside from the usual downsize to slimline jewel case it's fully intact.

As far as home console ports go (ignoring the X68000 semi-remake), Cotton is better on PCE/TurboDuo than PS1. The latter is missing the second loop, and even its first loop is significantly easier on account of lower enemy HP. If you're not into NEC it's better than nothing, of course.

Zanac X Zanac is pretty cool, though fairly expensive CIB. Whether it's worth it will naturally depend on your affinity for Compile in general and Zanac in particular (contains the FDS & NES versions plus an exclusive arrange mode, and the entirely new PS1 original Zanac Neo). If you're into their games it's certainly worth a look. Neo has later Compile's usual caveats of long runtime and relatively low intensity, though I find the more hectic upper difficulties great fun.

Gradius Deluxe Pack, Salamander Deluxe Pack and Capcom Generation 1 (1942/43/43 Kai), 3 (Vulgus/Exed Exes) and 4 (Senjou no Okami/SOII/Gun.Smoke) are all slightly better-presented on PS1 than Saturn, owing to the former running in lower resolution. Unfortunately both Konami packs are rarer and costlier on PS1.

Namco Museum Vols 1-5 contain an assortment of good shooters... they all got NTSCU releases but it's worth noting the sixth and final volume, Encore, is JP-exclusive and has great ports of Dragon Saber and Rolling Thunder.

I consider two PS1 exclusives that did make it overseas among that generation's finest shooters: Einhander and R-Type Delta. Definitely give those a look if you haven't already.

*Note that like Toaplan SBv1, Gradius Gaiden, Gradius Deluxe Pack and Namco Museum Encore all have PS2 BC issues.

[BulletMagnet]

You might have already seen this, but I'll link it just in case.

[MintyTheCat]

R-Type Delta and Einhänder are pretty good and exclusives. I bought a PS1 for this game alone. But I quickly got a Saturn when I realised just how many Shmups the machine had compared to the Saturn.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I know there are also some better ports compared to Saturn (DoDonPachi, Strikers 1945 II), but I'd rather have them for the Saturn (for being the overall better shmup console).

This reasoning(?) eludes me, but if you'd rather preserve your Saturn so it can run stuff not quite as good elsewhere longer, I recommend Sonic Wings Special for PSX (only marginally better there; also released in PAL in mangled form). Console-only tate shmup (an extremely rare breed), not too shabby at that (although I advise to play it on difficulty harder than default - first stage boss you'll naturally encounter a lot is that much more fun on Hard).

R-Type Delta and Einhänder are pretty good and exclusives. I bought a PS1 for this game alone. But I quickly got a Saturn when I realised just how many Shmups the machine had compared to the Saturn.

Actually, how many shmups is there on each? Does any definitive list already exist?

[SuperDeadite]

70's Robot Anime Geppy-X is a must own if you dig giant robots.

[MintyTheCat]

Actually, how many shmups is there on each? Does any definitive list already exist?

Not sure but there may be one.

Wolf Fang was not bad too but that I think is also on the Saturn, I only own the PS1 version.

[Gamer707b]

I know there are also some better ports compared to Saturn (DoDonPachi, Strikers 1945 II), but I'd rather have them for the Saturn (for being the overall better shmup console).

This reasoning(?) eludes me, but if you'd rather preserve your Saturn so it can run stuff not quite as good elsewhere longer, I recommend Sonic Wings Special for PSX (only marginally better there; also released in PAL in mangled form). Console-only tate shmup (an extremely rare breed), not too shabby at that (although I advise to play it on difficulty harder than default - first stage boss you'll naturally encounter a lot is that much more fun on Hard).

R-Type Delta and Einhänder are pretty good and exclusives. I bought a PS1 for this game alone. But I quickly got a Saturn when I realised just how many Shmups the machine had compared to the Saturn.

Actually, how many shmups is there on each? Does any definitive list already exist?

I think Racketboy did a great article on both Saturn and Ps1 shooters. Not sure if EVERY game is on there , but its a huge list nonetheless .

[BulletMagnet]

I think Racketboy did a great article on both Saturn and Ps1 shooters. Not sure if EVERY game is on there , but its a huge list nonetheless .

I actually compiled those with the help of this forum; Saturn is here, PS1 is here. I'm pretty sure that the Saturn list is complete (or darn close to it), though I believe there are at least one or two very obscure (and supposedly terrible) omissions from the PS1 rundown.

[Strikers1945guy]

Gradius & Salamander deluxe packs would be a must for me. Harmful Park is a gem but unfortunately a very expensive game.

[d0s]

It's been posted but Zanac X Zanac (for Zanac Neo) is a must imo

[professor ganson]

It's been posted but Zanac X Zanac (for Zanac Neo) is a must imo

Yeah, that would be at the top of my list of PS1 must-haves, but not just for Zanac Neo. I've spent more time with the various versions of Zanac, an all-time favorite.

[GSK]

As far as home console ports go (ignoring the X68000 semi-remake), Cotton is better on PCE/TurboDuo than PS1. The latter is missing the second loop, and even its first loop is significantly easier on account of lower enemy HP. If you're not into NEC it's better than nothing, of course.

I could be wrong but I believe the PSX Cotton game is a port of Cotton 100% for SFC, not the arcade game.

[BIL]

Both AC Cotton and SFC Cotton 100% got PS1 releases. The arcade game goes by the title "Cotton Original" on PS1, though as noted it's unfortunately not very accurate.

I wonder how Cotton 100% PS1 compares to the SFC cart, now. I remember reading it was more or less a straight port with arranged BGM.

[suicider]

Thanks guys for the input. Especially Zanac looks really cool. Raiden DX was on my list already. I somehow forgot about Einhänder and R-Type Delta. So I guess these games will keep me going for a while.

@Racket Boy article: I've read it, but it's not about exclusives nor does it highlight those. However, it's a good resource with lots of quirky games (TRL for instance).

[broken harbour]

Harmful Park is (I think) an exclusive, and its real good.

I actually like Gaia Seed but I think I'm in the minority on that one.

[AxelMill]

I actually like Gaia Seed but I think I'm in the minority on that one.

I like it, too. Sure, it feels like an euroshmup and has everything an euroshmup has, but I like it. The music, the bosses, it's all good.
Not killing the final boss to get a decent ending is stupid, though.

It's not even remotely close to being affordable, so the OP won't get it, anyway.

[davyK]

Couple of imports I have for PS1 that are nice.

Darius Gaiden - has been mentioned. Can be picked up for a good price as long you get the re-release. My copy is in the thin jewel case. I love the original game (I play that on Saturn) and consider it one of the truly great shmups - but if I'm honest Gaiden is the best in the series.

Xevious 3D/G - nice little release this. Has all the Xevious versions (inc. Super and Arrangement) and a polygonal remake that retains the original 2D style of gameplay and is great fun. Think this might have got a US release though - so not JPN exclusive.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Yes, Namco did release Xevious 3D+G stateside at the MSRP of $39.99 USD. I recall buying the very last brand new copy at my local Software Etc. speciality game store back in the day.

American video game publisher THQ aka Toy Headquarters (that went under some time back) did release G-Darius for the PSX back in 1998.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[BIL]

Thanks guys for the input. Especially Zanac looks really cool. Raiden DX was on my list already. I somehow forgot about Einhänder and R-Type Delta. So I guess these games will keep me going for a while.

Those four could keep me happy for years. That's some serious quality and variety right there. ^__^ Delta and Zanac Neo even have optional challenges ranging from amusing to balls-hard.

A good microcosm of the PS1's shooter portfolio, too. Versus Saturn it's mainly good for its originals, but while SS is hands-down the stronger machine for contemporary ports, the best PS1 exclusives (Raiden DX, Toaplan SBv1, R-Types) hit really goddamn hard. And it cleans up on compilations too with the better Gradius/Salamander and Capcom packs, plus exclusive Namco support.

The hard core of my shooter library was always PS1/SS/PS2/DC but it's the first two I'd keep if forced to choose. Fuck choosing though. ¦3

If you pick up Zanac X Zanac, I recommend giving Zach Keene's excellent guide a look (listed here). They're really fun games to manipulate when you know what's going on behind the scenes. I second Zach's suggestion about Neo's difficulty levels. The second-hardest feels ideal, nice and hectic but still easy to pick up and play without prior knowledge. The very hardest actually gets pretty mean with its bullet avalanches, its bosses can decimate an unwary player's life reserve.

[MachineAres 1CC]

It's also of note that if you have a PS3/PSP/PS Vita then a lot of these games can be obtained digitally from the PSN store for around $10 (1000 yen) and you can pretty easily create an account to download things from the Japanese PSN store.

You can also output PSP onto a TV by using a $10 cable you can buy. These things would provide you basically the same experience for a lot less cost (PSPs are usually available for around $50 or so now, PS3 and PSV around $100) the only exception obviously being you can't use an arcade stick with PSP or PS Vita, if that's a big deal for you, but you CAN tate on PSP and Vita, and re-arrange the controls however you want so it's more comfortable to play vertically.

PS3 is basically a PS1 except you'd have to get a new arcade stick for it if you want to use one (which are also relatively cheap now) but you can output with composite or component cables and do tate and all that.

It's a hell of a lot better than spending $1000+ to get even just a few of these.

This includes:
Xevious 3D/G (on US/EU store) Usually around $50
Sonic Wings Special (on US/EU store) Usually around $50
Zanac x Zanac (on US/EU store) Usually around $300
Harmful Park (JP PSN only) Usually over $300
DoDonPachi (JP PSN only) Usually around $100
Donpachi (JP PSN only) Usually around $70
G-Darius (JP PSN only) Usually around $40
Cotton games (JP PSN only) Usually around $100-200 each

[Mero]

Harmful Park (JP PSN only) Usually over $300
Cotton games (JP PSN only) Usually around $100-200 each

Have these gone through the roof recently? I only bought Harmful Park about 3 years ago and I didn't pay anywhere near that (off eBay too). And I seem to remember Cotton Original was a cheap pickup (though to be fair that was about 7 years ago). I know Cotton 100% is pretty hard to come by though.

[broken harbour]

No kidding, I bought Harmful park on Ebay 2 years ago for under $100 wow.

[MachineAres 1CC]

Harmful Park (JP PSN only) Usually over $300
Cotton games (JP PSN only) Usually around $100-200 each

Have these gone through the roof recently? I only bought Harmful Park about 3 years ago and I didn't pay anywhere near that (off eBay too). And I seem to remember Cotton Original was a cheap pickup (though to be fair that was about 7 years ago). I know Cotton 100% is pretty hard to come by though.

Yeah, look around, Harmful, Cottons, and Zanac are through the roof. $10 for digital is a lot better option in my book, even if you have to buy the console to play it on.

[gs68]

Gradius Gaiden is technically on PSP but it's another must-mention. The PSOne Books reprint should be easier to source than the original and PlayStation The Best prints, and aside from the usual downsize to slimline jewel case it's fully intact.

I prefer the PS1 version over the PSP version, myself. PSP version not having a "scale up the game window but not fuck up the aspect ratio" option or 2P mode makes me a little sad. Plus, I'm not playing shooties on a PSP-1000 D-pad. (I could get a -2000 or -3000 but neither are high-priority purchases for me.)

[Despatche]

Yeah, Gradius Portable is a bit sketch. It's a cool idea, but Gaiden and IV really suffer from the implementation.

[bigbadboaz]

I'll go slightly off-topic here having failed to find my answer in any older posts. Can anyone comment on TSB Vol. 1's yoko modes? Is the game great all around, or one of the older ports that's really only worth playing in tate? Is there rebalancing, wobble-mode only, etc.? I'm limited to regular TV orientation so this would be great to know before going after the game.

Thanks to anyone who wants to chime in.

[BIL]

TSBv1 is great in yoko, no worries on that front. Default screen setting is "Normal" - fully intact game display, rotated scaled and pillarboxed to fit standard TV orientation. "Arcade" is TATE, glorious TATE. "Side" is Normal's controls with Arcade's orientation, ie the game is now a hori and pls god no but thanks anyway!

About the only flaw in this compilation is the "Vol. 1" in its name can cause brief melancholy at Banpresto chickening out on Shark and Tatsujin discs. 3:

Make sure to leave Tiger Heli's ship speed at "fast," it's the arcade default too!

[bigbadboaz]

Many thanks

[Kollision]

I'll go slightly off-topic here having failed to find my answer in any older posts. Can anyone comment on TSB Vol. 1's yoko modes?

Just to add to BIL's assessment, I have looped both Tiger-Heli and Twin Cobra in YOKO and they were just fine.