Shmup Ticker: What are you playing RIGHT NOW?

[WelshMegalodon]

I'm playing Gradius on NES( without the Konami code ofc). It's the only shmup I own and it will be the first one I beat( and yes, I know I should've already played more before joining this forum). I'm able to get up to level 5 atm.

Congrats for making it past Stage 4, whether using warps or otherwise.

[atheistgod1999]

I'm playing Gradius on NES( without the Konami code ofc). It's the only shmup I own and it will be the first one I beat( and yes, I know I should've already played more before joining this forum). I'm able to get up to level 5 atm.

Congrats for making it past Stage 4, whether using warps or otherwise.

Got up to level 7 last attempt a few minutes ago.

[Shepardus]

Rank gods, have mercy on me, for I have chosen auto mode.

[atheistgod1999]

Is the Famicom version of Gradius harder or easier than the arcade?

level 3 (the infamous Moai level) is the peak difficulty for the game

Is that also true on the Famicom/NES version? Because I can get through that in my sleep without having a single powerup (not even speed).

[maximo310]

Is the Famicom version of Gradius harder or easier than the arcade?

The arcade version is more difficult than the NES/Famicom port. But its still not too bad difficulty wise.

[BrianC]

Unlike the NES, the AC Moai stage has some vertical movement, making the stage feel a bit different. Moai level is definitely easier on NES, though movement is more limited at times. There was hack done to Gradius for NES/FC that makes the game closer to the arcade. Moai level even scrolls like the arcade.

One thing I forgot to mention is that Winds of Thunder was on a Sony monitor and looked incredible. Dondonpachi II, Last Resort, and Raiden II were in JP arcade cabs.

[Perikles]

Regarding Gradius: I'm a bit baffled that a lot of people seem to have problems with the Moai stage, I think it's pretty easy in every version and loop of the game. You just have to be a bit careful not to get sniped by a popcorn enemy and to build a little option fortress that wipes out the rings, that's all there's to it. Fourth and seventh stage are definitely the hardest, especially on recovery terms, and especially on higher loops in the arcade version. The section in stage 4 where all the enemies come out of the hatches is a nightmare from loop 3 onwards (not so much in the Famicom port since there're no suicide bullets, the final stage is the hardest one in that version). The arcade version also gets much harder in the second loop and again considerably harder in the third loop, both the Famicom and the PCE ports gradually increase the difficulty instead of skyrocketing like that.

Rank gods, have mercy on me, for I have chosen auto mode.

First of all: daaaaaaamn, you're really going through those classics lately, great job! Also made it to the hardest stage already, keep going at it.

Second: why auto mode? It frankly sucks in this game. Yes, it eliminates the roulette, but dodging power-up capsules in order to prevent a second speed-up is just as terrible (if not more) than dodging capsules with roulette and/or learn to live with it I say.

[KoopaTGR]

In the Moai stage, don't shoot any Moais that you can't easily shoot (the ones above you or facing away from you) and (as stated earlier) beware of any popcorn enemies as they can snipe you. Either Double or Laser works well.

I have basically everything in the first loop down and could 1cc Gradius as soon as I get back to playing. (I technically already have, although it was Nemesis which has added recovery enemies)

[Shepardus]

Second: why auto mode? It frankly sucks in this game. Yes, it eliminates the roulette, but dodging power-up capsules in order to prevent a second speed-up is just as terrible (if not more) than dodging capsules with roulette and/or learn to live with it I say.

It was more of a fun credit than anything I intended to take seriously; I usually pick Octopus or Twinbee and manual powerup mode, but that time I picked Vic Viper and auto mode to see how I would do. Ended up getting to stage 5 for the first time in a month (and only second or third time total) and got to stages 6, 7, and 8 for the first time. I died four times in the first four stages so I was on my last life for stage 5 onwards. Those deaths lowered my rank enough that even with two speedups I didn't see any suicide bullets until stage 8! That stage is brutal though, it would be hard enough even without that mobility-impairing water but with it I'm not surprised that you say it's the hardest stage.

I've also been playing Strikers 1945 recently, still trying to get that 1-ALL out of the way which I've been meaning to do ever since reaching 1-8 during TRP-STGT. I finally finished setting up savestates to practice the later stages; just need some practice on those and the 1-ALL shouldn't be too far away.

[atheistgod1999]

Newbie question: What does "1-ALL" mean?

Also: considering how hard people are making out Gradius to be, is it not a good shmup for beginners? Any recommendations for an easier one or something?

Oh yeah, almost forgot: is the Nemesis (want to play it in English) PCB compatible with the Supergun?

[CloudyMusic]

Newbie question: What does "1-ALL" mean?

In games that loop (i.e. when the game finishes, you start back at the beginning, but everything's harder), the number denotes the loop. 1-ALL means finishing the game once, which is a common goal for many lower-level players; 2-ALL would be finishing the game "twice." Many looping games end after 2-ALL (often with a true final boss at the end), but others like Gradius will loop forever as long as the player still has lives.

Gradius is fine for beginners, and though there are certainly some tough spots, that's true for almost any shmup when you're new. Keep working at it if that's what you enjoy

[WelshMegalodon]

I think the first Gradius is a fine game for beginners. By popular opinion, Famicom Gradius is the easiest in the series along with Famicom Salamander and SFC Gradius III, so there's nothing wrong with it as far as difficulty is concerned. The skills learned in the first game also transfer over to GOFER no Yabou, Gaiden, the MSX trilogy, and (to an extent) the Parodius series, which is another plus.

[r3l0]

Einhänder on PlayStation 1 has quickly become one my favorites. It changes perspective every once in a while so that it is 2.5D and the system of shooting off enemy weapons to pick up is a good change from colored powerups. I have a feeling this is popular among some of the hardcore shmup fans around here but is new to me.

I am also still playing vertical force on virtual boy and have gotten to level 5. Once I figured out how to put the drone ships in reserve and change their attack configuration it became far easier to beat the bosses.

[BIL]

Einhander's one of the crossover mainstream/hardcore favourites, yep! Excellent at shaking up genre convention (weapons & ammo) and reveling in blistering cinematic flash without sacrificing intensity, focus or tightness.

Personally it's also got a uniquely satisfying violence. Getting up in a heavy mech's face with a pair of Cannons and letting loose, leaving only a staggering headless wreck that collapses and explodes... aww yeahhh!

[atheistgod1999]

Gradius stage 4 is actually pretty easy, at least on the FC/NES port. The only issue I had with it were the volcanoes at the end, because my method of avoiding the boulders in stage 1 didn't work there. I developed a strategy to avoid them now (at least with a missile powerup), however:

Spoiler

Step 1: Get directly behind the tip of the left volcano
Step 2: Mash the A button
Step 3: ????
Step 4: PROFIT!!!

[Squire Grooktook]

Personally it's also got a uniquely satisfying violence. Getting up in a heavy mech's face with a pair of Cannons and letting loose, leaving only a staggering headless wreck that collapses and explodes... aww yeahhh!

I absolutely fucking love the way you can "stunlock" non zakos and see them get jostled around by hits, and how personal kills feel as a result. I'm actually trying to experiment with stuff like that in my game.

Spoiler

Actually came up with a system where you can destroy enemies by knocking them into eachother. Destroy one enemies left wing, causing it to veer to the right into a hoard of zakos, exploding them all and triggering a bonus enemy wave, etc.

[lmagus]

Ketsui. Today is the 37th day and I have finally reached the bottom of the descent.

I only decided to stop and study each of the stages last week. I have come up with routes that allow me to score ok and don't require any complicated dodges.
Hopefully it won't be long before the 1-ALL

[Jonst]

Gave up ibara and radirgy, despite good progress on the former and almost clearing the latter. I lost the will with both games.

Now back to playing sdoj. Not playing too seriously but I have seen a fair bit of improvement over the last couple of days. Still kind of struggling with a comfortable ship, using A-L at the moment.

[KAI]

Gave up ibara and radirgy

Saddest quote ever .
Do you know about life refill trick on Radirgy?

[Jonst]

Haha! Sorry for such an upsetting post! I was playing the not so good ps2 version. I was getting to the final boss with a full stock of lives and constantly fucking up the tlb I love both games, but I burnt out hard on both.

[AxelMill]

Space Invaders Infinity Gene's final boss (PS3/360) is the most disappointing thing ever. After countless epic boss fights, you're treated to something that makes Gradius V's look good.
You just hold X for 20 seconds, if you're fully powered up, or an hour or so if you're not. If you don't, you're dead, simple as that.
At least its death animation is decent.

[Kollision]

Ketsui.
~~
Hopefully it won't be long before the 1-ALL

That's awesome, man, keep it up!

[Obiwanshinobi]

Failing prominently at Gradius V (using gamepad, with my left thumb still not 100% well, but it's the long desistence from any serious, traditional 8-way-movement shmupping that seems to affect my performance most).
As accomplished a game as it has been in my memories and, most interestingly, when my progress in car games comes to a halt, I suddenly appear not-so-terrible at Gradius V - such is the power of game style-switching.

[wgogh]

Just discovery I may have a natural thing for Vasara. I should keep playing

[Stevens]

Just discovery I may have a natural thing for Vasara. I should keep playing

Everyone should have one shooter they feel this way about.

Haven't had a chance to Progear since reaching Volvox. Being encouraged by Armchair Generals 2ALL though has me playing a daily credit or two of Under Defeat.

[Shepardus]

Just no-missed through the first 6 stages of Strikers 1945 for the first time. Lost all my lives on 1-7 though.

[copy-paster]

Just no-missed through the first 6 stages of Strikers 1945 for the first time. Lost all my lives on 1-7 though.

Have you maxed the power-up during the run?

[Kiken]

Been playing Muchi Muchi Pork Arrange mode recently. Just managed a 188 million pt all clear with Rafute a moment ago. Steadily getting closer and closer to 200 million. I just need to clean up several areas as I end up taking far to many stupid hits that either nullify or inadvertently trigger my hyper mode.

Also been playing Cotton Boomerang. I think I've finally started to understand a little bit about how to play the game and have been steadily making it to stage 5... although then I just get completely suicidal during the mid boss battle.

[OmKol]

Touhou 14.3. It's a second 2hu game I've played - the first one was Touhou 3 because I like unusual shmups lol. Currently I have 55/75 no items clears in ten hours and the remaining ones is super tough for me but I will keep trying periodically. And only a dumb like me can make so stupid strat like this.

[Weak Boson]

Super Galaxy Squadron EX

Having a lot of fun with this new version. I didn't play the original that much, but the lack of movement inertia makes it feel like a much more serious game - tight and punchy! Reaching the x10 multiplier and going into hyper mode is soooo satisfying.

I've been having a few problems with arcade mode not saving my scores and starting me at the checkpoint I last reached in the mode that lets you have checkpoints when I die in the mode that doesn't have checkpoints.... I feel like this must be a glitch but whatever, kudos to the devs for improving the game after release.