4th Annual Top 25 Shmups of All Time! - Polls Closed

[Shocky]

[100] [Salamander (MSX)]
[95] [Gradius II (MSX)]
[95] [Gradius V]
[90] [R-Type Final]
[90] [La Soeur de Barrage]
[85] [R-Type Delta]
[85] [Ikaruga]
[80] [Xenon II]
[80] [ESP Galuda]
[75] [Apidya]
[70] [Project X]
[65] [Crisis Force]
[65] [Shienryu]
[65] [Recca]
[50] [X-Out]
[40] [SWIV]
[30] [Einhänder]
[20] [Battle Squadron]
[20] [Gradius III (Arcade)]
[20] [Warning Forever]
[15] [Agony]
[10] [Galaxian III (AC)]
[10] [Carcharodon White Sharks]
[10] [Ziriax]
[10] [Philosoma]

Edit: Removed borderliner Novastorm, replaced with Gradius III

[Alpolio]

[10] [Darius Gaiden]
[10] [Thunder Force IV / Lightning Force]
[10] [Lords of Thunder]
[9] [Darius II / Sagaia (Gen)]
[9] [Gaiares]
[9] [Gradius III (AC)]
[9] [Thunder Force III]
[8] [Bio Hazard Battle]
[8] [Darius Plus (PCE)]
[8] [R-Type (AC)]
[7] [M.U.S.H.A.]
[7] [R-Type III: The Third Lightning (SNES)]
[7] [Super Star Soldier (PCE)]
[6] [Choujikuu Yousai Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie]
[6] [Donpachi]
[6] [Einhander]
[5] [Air Zonk]
[5] [Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius]
[5] [Life Force (NES)]
[4] [Gradius V]
[4] [Gynoug / Wings of Wor]
[4] [R-Type Delta]
[3] [Raiden]
[2] [Axelay]
[1] [Elemental Master]

[Herr Schatten]

[12] [R-Type]
[10] [Apidya]
[10] [Mr. Heli no Daibouken]
[10] [Space Manbow]
[9] [Aleste 2]
[9] [DonPachi]
[9] [Power Strike II (SMS)]
[9] [Z-Out]
[8] [Cyvern]
[8] [Gradius Gaiden]
[8] [Gunbird]
[8] [Mushihime Sama]
[8] [Parodius Da!]
[8] [Radirgy]
[8] [Trizeal]
[7] [Beamrider]
[7] [Gunbird 2]
[7] [Gynoug / Wings of Wor]
[7] [Musha Aleste]
[7] [Power Strike / Aleste]
[7] [Shikigami no Shiro II]
[7] [Thunderforce V]
[6] [Gate of Thunder]
[6] [Shienryu]
[6] [Sonic Wings Special]


Edit: After spending a lot of time with Radirgy I decided that it's one of my new favourites and added it in. Unfortunately, Rayforce had to go to make room.

[shiftace]

[3] [Radio Zonde]
[2] [Parsec47]
[2] [Summer Carnival '92 Recca]
[1] [Batsugun]
[1] [Cho Ren Sha 68k]
[1] [Gradius Gaiden]
[1] [Hellsinker]
[1] [Imperishable Night]
[1] [Perfect Cherry Blossom]
[1] [rRootage]
[1] [Shikigami no Shiro 2]
[1] [Zanac]

Short list for now, maybe it'll stay that way.

2/19: Hellsinker.
3/8: One for rRootage, too.

[Marc]

O.K....

[10] [R-Type (Arcade)]
[10] [DoDonPachi]
[10] [Giga Wing 2]
[10] [Thunder Cross 2]
[10] [Galaga '88 (Arcade)]

[8] [U.N. Squadron (SFC)]
[8] [Gynoug]
[8] [Ikaruga]
[8] [Battle Garegga]
[8] [Gradius Gaiden]

[6] [Pulstar]
[6] [Gradius V]
[6] [R-Type Leo]
[6] [Gradius 2]
[6] [DonPachi]

[4] [Trizeal]
[4] [Flying Shark]
[4] [Raiden]
[4] [X-Out (C64)]
[4] [Axelay]

[2] [Uridium (C64)]
[2] [Strikers 1945]
[2] [R-Type Final]
[2] [X-Multiply]
[2] [Dragon Breed]

I think.....

[Ord]

Well, here's mine for this year -


[100] [Ibara]
[100] [Espgaluda]
[100] [Mushihimesama]
[80] [Gradius V]
[50] [Dodonpachi]
[50] [Guwange]
[50] [Battle Garegga]
[50] [Armed Police Batrider]
[50] [Radiant Silvergun]
[50] [Progear No Arashi]
[50] [Ikaruga]
[50] [Dragon Blaze]
[50] [Battle Bakraid]
[50] [Dimahoo]
[20] [Dangun Feveron]
[20] [Strikers 1999]
[20] [Border Down]
[20] [R-Type]
[20] [Blazing Star]
[20] [Donpachi]
[20] [Geometry Wars]
[20] [Shikigami No Shiro II]
[10] [Strikers 1945 II]
[10] [Sengoku Blaede]
[10] [Kingdom Grand Prix]

[Edge]

[5] [Gradius V]
[5] [Giga Wing]
[5] [DoDonPachi]
[5] [Sexy Parodius]
[5] [Einhänder]

[4] [R-Type Delta]
[4] [R-Type]
[4] [Gradius]
[4] [Parodius Da!]
[4] [Raiden]

[3] [Galaga'88]
[3] [Battle Garegga]
[3] [Pulstar]
[3] [R-Type 2]
[3] [ESP Ra.De]

[2] [Twinkle Star Sprites]
[2] [Viper Phase 1]
[2] [Thunderforce 3]
[2] [U.N. Squadron (Arcade)]
[2] [Dimahoo]

[1] [Cotton]
[1] [Last Resort]
[1] [Musha Aleste]
[1] [Star Force]
[1] [Axelay]

[Fenrir]

[5] [Ikaruga]
[5] [R-Type (Arcade)]
[4] [DoDonPachi]
[4] [Great Mahou Daisakusen]
[4] [Apidya]
[4] [Giga Wing]
[4] [Vasara 2]
[4] [Ray Crisis]
[4] [Radiant Silvergun]
[3] [Parodius Da!]
[3] [Vasara]
[3] [Agony]
[3] [Einhänder]
[3] [Io]
[2] [Thunderforce V]
[2] [Pop n' Twin Bee]
[2] [Macross Scrambled Valkyrie]
[2] [Lords of Thunder]
[2] [Gyruss]
[2] [Aero Fighters 2]
[2] [R-Type Delta]
[2] [Xenon II]
[2] [Project X]
[1] [Terra Cresta]
[1] [Blood Money]

[20] [Novastorm]

Shocky, I don't think you can list Novastorm here because it's considered a "borderliner" (shmup on rails a-la Rez). If the boss thinks otherwise let me know and I'll vote for Novastorm as well Oh and many, many kudos for voting Carcharodon and Philosoma, two of my absolutely fave but underrated by just about everyone.

[LSU]

[25] [Radiant Silvergun]
[25] [Ikaruga]

[20] [Shikigami No Shiro 2]

[18] [Gradius Gaiden]
[18] [Gradius V]

[16] [Border Down]
[16] [Soukyugurentai]
[16] [Battle Garegga]

[14] [Layer Section]
[14[ [ESP Ra.De.]
[14] [Raiden DX]

[12] [Mars Matrix]
[12] [RayCrisis]
[12] [Gradius]

[10] [Strikers 1945 II]
[10] [Zero Gunner 2]
[10] [Thunderforce IV]

[8] [Darius Gaiden]
[8] [G-Darius]

[6] [Batsugun]

[5] [Sengoku Blade]
[5] [Last Resort]
[5] [Xevious Arrangement]
[5] [Soldier Blade]
[5] [Axelay]

[Grinning Cat]

Here goes...

[100] [Guwange]
[100] [Perfect Cherry Blossom]
[100] [Progear No Arashi]
[80] [Eliminate Down]
[50] [Ray Force aka Layer Section]
[50] [Dragon Blaze]
[50] [Dangun Feveron aka Fever SOS]
[50] [Dodonpachi Dai Ou Jou]
[50] [Harmful Park: High-Brow Gag Pure Shooting]
[50] [ESP Ra. De.]
[50] [Ketsui Kizuna Jigoku Tachi]
[50] [ESP Galuda]
[50] [Shikigami No Shiro II]
[50] [Mahou Daisakusen aka Sorcerer Striker]
[20] [Battle Mania 2 Daiginjou]
[20] [Zanac Neo]
[20] [Imperishable Night]
[20] [Nebulas Ray]
[20] [Advanced Busterhawk Gleylancer]
[20] [Great Mahou Daisakusen aka Dimahoo]
[20] [Tatsujin Ou]
[20] [MUSHA Aleste]
[10] [Batsugun]
[10] [Embodiment Of Scarlet Devil]
[10] [Thunder Force III]

[Shatterhand]

[80] [Zanac Neo]
[80] [Aleste 2]
[60] [Armed Police Batrider]
[60] [Apidya]
[60] [Soldier Blade]
[60] [Space Manbow]
[60] [Gradius Gaiden]
[40] [Sonic Wings Special]
[40] [Cotton Boomerang]
[40] [Power Strike 2 (SMS)]
[30] [Thunder Force 5]
[30] [Uridium 2]
[30] [Zanac EX]
[25] [Recca]
[25] [Hype]
[25] [Gokujyou Parodius]
[25] [Beamrider]
[25] [Gigawing]
[25] [Sengoku Blade]
[25] [Super Aleste]
[25] [Gunnac]
[20] [Gyruss]
[20] [Strikers 1945 II]
[20] [Battle Squadron (Amiga)]
[15] [Guwange]

[NTSC-J]

[10] [Ketsui]
[09] [DoDonPachi dai ou jou]
[08] [Batsugun]
[07] [ESPrade]
[06] [Guwange]
[05] [Gunbird 2]
[04] [DoDonPachi]
[03] [Progear no Arashi]
[02] [Giga Wing 2]
[01] [Battle Garegga]

[azathoth]

[100] [Ikaruga]
[100] [Dodonpachi]
[80] [Shikigami no Shiro II]
[80] [Batsugun]
[70] [Battle Bakraid]
[70] [Radient Silvergun]
[65] [Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius]
[60] [Psyvariar II - Extend Edition]
[55] [UN Squadron (SNES)]
[55] [ESPrade]
[50] [Progear]
[45] [Border Down]
[45] [Giga Wing]
[40] [Mars Matrix]
[35] [Pop 'n' Twinbee]
[30] [R-Type III]
[25] [Super Aleste]
[20] [1944 - The Loop Master]
[15] [Trizeal]
[10] [Einhander]

[chempop]

[10] [Radiant Silvergun] -SS
[10] [Soukyugurentai] -SS
[10] [Layer Section] -SS
[9] [Gunbird 2] -DC
[9] [Mars Matrix] -DC
[9] [Robo Alesta] -SCD
[7] [Batsugun] -SS
[7] [Thunderforce 4] -GEN
[7] [MUSHA] -GEN
[7] [Gradius 5] -PS2
[5] [Giga Wing 2] -DC
[5] [Ikaruga] -DC
[5] [Shikigami no Shiro 2] -DC
[5] [Progear] -ARC
[5] [Guwange] -ARC
[3] [ESP Ra.De.] -ARC
[3] [Battle Garegga] -SS
[3] [Dodonpachi] -ARC
[3] [Sengoku Blade] -DC
[1] [Thunderforce 5] -PS1
[1] [Hyper Duel] -DC
[1] [Sol Divide] -SS
[1] [Life Force] -NES
[1] [Trouble Shooter] -GEN
[1] [Gates of Thunder] -TG16
[1] [Silpheed] -SCD

[ROBOTRON]

[1] [Zanac]
[2] [Radiant Silvergun]
[3] [Axelay]
[4] [Border Down]
[5] [Thunderforce 3]
[6] [R-Type Delta]
[7] [Einhander]
[8] [Layer Section]
[9] [Space Megaforce]
[10] [Soukyugerentai]
[11] [Zanac Neo]
[12] [Viewpoint]
[13] [Blazing Lazers]
[14] [Last Resort]
[15] [Power Strike]
[16] [Mars Matrix]
[17] [Alpha Mission II]
[18] [MUSHA]
[19] [Gradius 5]
[20] [Asteroids - PS1]
[21] [In The Hunt]
[22] [R-Type Final]
[23] [Bio Hazard Battle]
[24] [Galaga 90 - TG16]
[25] [Demon Attack - Atari/Imagic]



















Tempest X - PS1

[system11]

Always so difficult, always so many differences year on year. Here's mine for what it's worth, based on feelings at this point in time:

[100] [Gradius 5 (PS2)]
[100] [R-Type Delta (PSX)]
[100] [Mushihimesama (arcade)]
[100] [Galaxian (arcade)]
[100] [Tempest (arcade)]

[75] [Thunderforce 3 (MD)]
[75] [Nemesis (arcade, group with Gradius)]
[75] [Imperishable Night (PC)]
[75] [Dragon Breed (arcade)]
[75] [Espgaluda (arcade)]

[50] [DoDonPachi (arcade)]
[50] [R-Type (arcade)]
[50] [Vasara 2 (arcade)]
[50] [Battle Bakraid (arcade)]
[50] [Thunderforce 4 (MD)]
[50] [Musha Aleste (MD)]
[50] [Gunhed (PCE)]
[50] [Radiant Silvergun (Saturn)]
[50] [Gigawing (arcade)]
[50] [Side Arms (arcade)]
[50] [Delta (C64)]
[50] [Flying Shark (arcade, group with Sky Shark)]
[50] [Sengoku Blade (arcade, group with Tengai)]
[50] [Raiden II (arcade)]
[50] [Einhander (PSX)]

[Shapermc]

Alphabetical order broken up by sections. I also got a Duo since the last time I voted, so a new game may pop up over other years.

[5] [Armed Police Batrider]
[5] [ESP Ra.De.]

[4] [DonPachi]
[4] [Gradius Gaiden]
[4] [Salamander (Arcade)]

[3] [Batsuugun]
[3] [Blazing Star]
[3] [Border Down]
[3] [Dimahoo]
[3] [Gate of Thunder]
[3] [Giga Wing]
[3] [Gradius II]
[3] [Guwange]
[3] [Lord of Thunder]
[3] [Mars Matrix]
[3] [rRootage]

[2] [Gradius V]
[2] [Tempest]

[1] [Castles of Shikigami II (US release with the awesome voice acting)]
[1] [Parodius Da!]
[1] [R-Type Final]
[1] [Sonic Wings 2]
[1] [Twin Bee: Yahhoo!!]
[1] [Wings of Wor]
[1] [Zanac]

[angrycoder]

[100] [Dodonpachi]
[100] [Radiant Silvergun]
[95] [Imperishable Night]
[90] [Mushihimesama]

[80] [Tempest 2000]
[75] [Harmful Park]
[75] [Einhander]
[70] [Rtype Delta]
[70] [Gradius Gaiden]
[70] [DoDonPachi Dai-Ou-Jou]

[50] [Raiden DX]
[50] [Batsugun]
[50] [Soukyugurentai]
[50] [Strikers 1945 II]
[50] [Gunbird 2]

[45] [Gigawing]

[25] [Galaga '88]
[25] [Zanac]
[25] [Soukyugerentai]

[20] [Ikaruga]
[20] [Super Aleste]
[20] [Angeraze 2]
[20] [Airade Air]
[20] [Zanac Neo]
[20] [Rally Raid]

[freddiebamboo]

[100] [DoDonpachi]
[100] [ESPGaluda]
[100] [Dragon Blaze]
[100] [Armed Police Batrider]
[100] [Mars Matrix]

[70] [DoDonpachi DOJ]
[70] [Shiki 2]
[70] [Mushihimesama]
[70] [ESPRade]
[70] [Battle Bakraid]

[50] [Batsugun]
[50] [Gunbird 2]
[50] [Blazing Star]
[50] [Vasara 2]
[50] [Soukyugurentai]

[30] [Ikaruga]
[30] [Perfect Cherry Blossom]
[30] [Don Pachi]
[30] [Battle Garegga]
[30] [Cyvern]

[10] [Layer Section]
[10] [Dangun Feveron]
[10] [Guwange]
[10] [Giga Wing]
[10] [Flying Shark]

[Neo Rasa]

[001] [1943: The Battle of Midway (NES)]
[001] [Axelay SNES]
[001] [Blazing Star (Neo Geo MVS)]
[001] [Border Down (Dreamcast)]
[001] [Daioh (Arcade)]
[001] [Dragon Breed (Arcade)]
[001] [Einhänder (PSX)]
[001] [Forgotten Worlds (XBox Capcom Classics Collection)] (Love the dual sticks )
[001] [Gradius III (US SNES)]
[001] [Gradius V (PS2)]
[001] [Last Resort (Neo Geo MVS)]
[001] [Life Force (US NES)]
[001] [Lords of Thunder (SegaCD)]
[001] [Phelios (Arcade)]
[001] [Phoenix (Arcade)]
[001] [Psycho Chaser (TG-16)]
[001] [R-Type (Arcade)]
[001] [R-Type III: Third Lightening (SNES)]
[001] [R-Type Delta US (PSX)]
[001] [Raiden Fighters II (Arcade)]
[001] [Sky Shark (US Arcade)]
[001] [Space Mega Force (US SNES)]
[001] [Strike Force (Arcade)]
[001] [Thunder Cross II (Arcade)]
[001] [Zanac Neo (PSX Zanac X Zanac Compilation)]

I'll have the point values changed up quite a bit prior to the deadline.

[T-hawk]

[200] [Radiant Silvergun]
[100] [Shikigami no Shiro II]
[100] [Twinkle Star Sprites]
[90] [Galaga]
[85] [Ikaruga]
[80] [Psyvariar 2]
[70] [Giga Wing 2]
[70] [Border Down]
[70] [Tyrian]
[65] [Raptor: Call of the Shadows]
[60] [Tempest 2000]
[60] [Einhander]
[60] [River Raid]
[50] [Raiden]
[50] [Raiden II]
[45] [Shikigami no Shiro]
[40] [Mars Matrix]
[40] [Gradius V]
[40] [DoDonPachi]
[30] [ThunderForce V]
[20] [Soukyugurentai]
[20] [Giga Wing]
[10] [Darius Gaiden]
[10] [R-Type Delta]
[10] [Zero Gunner 2]

Are the PC shareware games Raptor and Tyrian eligible? I haven't seen anyone else mention them. But they certainly are shmups, and they were the games that really got me into the genre in the first place.

[system11]

Are the PC shareware games Raptor and Tyrian eligible? I haven't seen anyone else mention them. But they certainly are shmups, and they were the games that really got me into the genre in the first place.

Yes.

[5parrowhawk]

[100] [Imperishable Night]
[90] [Parsec47]
[80] [Perfect Cherry Blossom]
[70] [Shoot the Bullet]
[30] [Radiant Silvergun]
[30] [Mushihime-sama]
[30] [ESP Ra.De]
[30] [Ikaruga]
[20] [Strikers 1999]
[20] [Gradius V]
[1] [Mars Matrix]
[1] [Life Force (NES)]
[1] [1943]

...I wanted to rank RSG and Mushihime higher, but with the limited points, I had to bite the bullet. Also, I'd have put Galuda in, but I haven't spent enough time with it to give an accurate score (just got it a few days back).

Edit: specified which version of Life Force. Unfortunately I never got to play the arcade version, so NES it is.

[llabnip]

[20] [Radiant Silvergun]

[10] [Strikers 1945 I]
[10] [Strikers 1945 II]

[5] [Galaga]
[5] [Raiden DX]
[5] [Zero Gunner 2]
[5] [GigaWing 2]
[5] [Batsugun]

[3] [Trizeal]
[3] [Gradius Gaiden]
[3] [Gunbird]
[3] [Soukyugurentai]
[3] [Ikaruga]
[3] [Gate of Thunder]
[3] [Lords of Thunder]
[3] [Final Soldier]
[3] [Twin Cobra]

[1] [DonPachi]
[1] [Thunderforce 4]
[1] [MUSHA ALESTE]
[1] [Zanac Neo]
[1] [19XX]
[1] [Truxton]
[1] [Fire Shark]
[1] [Twinkle Star Sprites]

[visuatrox]

[25] [ESPGaluda]
[24] [Blazing Star]
[23] [Disposable Hero]
[22] [Battle Squadron]
[21] [Mushihime Sama]
[20] [Ibara]
[19] [Dodonpachi Dai ou jou]
[18] [Dodonpachi]
[17] [Shikigami No Shiro 2]
[16] [Raiden III]
[15] [Trizeal]
[14] [GigaWing Generations]
[13] [R-Type Delta]
[12] [R-Type Final]
[11] [Gradius V]
[10] [Dangun Feveron]
[09] [Pulstar]
[08] [Ikaruga]
[07] [Mars Matrix]
[06] [Psyvariar 2]
[05] [Zanac Neo]
[04] [Gaia Seed]
[03] [Border Down]
[02] [Soukyugurentai]
[01] [Banshee]


Arghh much more difficult this year (because I have played more games). Hmm Cave now dominates my list and a bunch of Amiga and C64 games have dropped out, Battle Squadron and Disposable Hero are not going to move anywhere though . There is a bunch of games that probably should be on here, but that I spent too little time playing to get that fond of.

[SPACE HARRIER]

[500] [galaga '88]
[500] [galaga]
[200] [1942]
[200] [hellfire]
[100] [radiant silvergun]
[100] [gradius V]
[75] [viewpoint]
[75] [pulstar]
[50] [sky wolf]
[50] [gaiares]

[No_not_like_Quake]

a shit again. Ok:

[25] [Gaiares]
[24] [Thunderforce 2 (x68000 the better than the genny version)]
[23] [Last Resort]
[22] [Blazing Lazers]
[21] [Elimental Master]
[20] [Battle Bakraid]
[19] [In The Hunt]
[18] [Thunerforce III]
[17] [Genrikeden (that Taito shmup)]
[16] [19xx]
[15] [R-type Final]
[14] [Gradius V]
[13] [V V]
[12] [Outzone]
[11] [Raystorm]
[10] [Gates of Thunder]
[9] [Tatsujin 2]
[8] [Aldynes]
[7] [Thunderforce 4]
[6] [Tatsujin]
[5] [Super Star Soldier]
[4] [Aleste 2 (msx)]
[3] [Blazing Star]
[2] [Progear]
[1] [Soldier Blade]

The end.

[Vincere]

Ok, here we go:

[26] [Battle Garegga]
[25] [Radiant Silvergun]
[24] [Dodonpachi]
[23] [Esp Galuda]
[22] [R-Type Final]
[21] [Mushihime Sama]
[20] [Gradius V]
[19] [Batsugun]
[18] [Guwange]
[17] [Soukyugurentai]
[16] [Raiden Fighters 2]
[15] [Mars Matrix]
[14] [Ikaruga]
[13] [Layer Section]
[12] [Armed Police Batrider]
[11] [Gigawing]
[10] [Blazing Star]
[9] [Strikers 1945 II]
[8] [R-Type Leo]
[7] [Einhander]
[6] [Super R-Type]
[5] [Twinkle Star Sprites]
[4] [Donpachi]
[3] [Raiden II]
[2] [Cotton 100%]
[1] [Gekirindan]

[louisg]

[9] [Galaga]
[9] [RayForce aka Layer Section aka Galactic Attack]
[6] [Mars Matrix]
[6] [ThunderForce III]
[6] [Zero Gunner 2]
[5] [Time Pilot '84]
[4] [Ikaruga]
[3] [Raiden Fighters Jet]
[2] [Space Megaforce]
[2] [Axelay]
[2] [Battle Squadron (amiga only)]
[1] [Dimahoo]

I would have liked to put on more borderliners-- my favorite intense arcade shooter games list is not complete without Metal Slug 2, Spy Hunter (the real one), RoadBlasters, and Heavy Barrel.. Outzone? oh well =) Some of these sort of represent the entire series, like Raiden Fighters or ThunderForce-- I tried to pick the one of these I like the best.

[Ed Oscuro]

No Borderliners!

But Borderline is a shooter, certainly if Spy Hunter is!

(all arcade games)
[25] [Darius Gaiden (MAME + Interplay PC port)]
[24] [Thunder Cross]
[24] [Battle Mania 2: TS Vintage]
[24] [Dangun Feveron]
[23] [In the Hunt]
[21] [Battle Mania (Mega Drive)]
[20] [1941 (MAME .36, licensed to Hanaho for a CD-ROM shipped with joysticks)]
[19] [Crisis Force (Famicom cartridge)]
[15] [Forgotten Worlds]
[10] [Salamander 2]