Favorite final bosses in shmups?

[xxx1993]

The ones I can think of at the top of my mind include Veinion from Axelay, Gloire from Silpheed: The Lost Planet, Hyperion from Einhander, the Queen System from Astebreed, the Stage 6-C/D boss in Border Down, Tageri and the Stone-like in Ikaruga, Evaccania DOOM from Ketsui, Kouryu, Hibachi, and Inbachi from DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou, the ORN Emperor from Thunder Force VI, Gorgoneion and Crimson Heart from Crimzon Clover, Gigantic Bite from Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviours, and Humpty Dumpty and Divine Rampart from Raiden V.

[BIL]

I liek Pa Wingate from the Gun-Smoke. When he was fifteen he spotted some injuns rustling his cattle. "Git ourra mah land" shouted Pa bravely. "No," said Bear Chief indianly while throwing axes at Pa, "is our land you fuck." Then Chief's skull exploded as he walked smack into Pa's invisible shotgun spread. His headless corpse crashed to its knees, tongue flapping and blood gushing from a Pez dispenser stump. "He going to kill us" screamed his cohort Wolf Shagging Pup, turning to run, but he only smacked into another invisible hitbox. His eyes bulged wide in recognition at his own stomach contents and intestines splattering the dust. "I'm the top cunt on this ranch here now, you fackin' sheepfuckers" roared Pa as his sons JR and LIL PA surrounded the cowering injuns. Twenty five years later Pa would meet his end at the dual pistols of BILLY in GUN.SMOKE the hit coin operated shooting game from Capcom, but not before his invisible shotgun hitbox had claimed the lives of many, many rude cunts looking to steal his land.

the ORN Emperor from Thunder Force VI

Looked like a fuckin ballsack. :[

[Deadliar]

Gun-Smoke

Gun Frontier*

Standoff with spaceships. Beat that I dare you.

[xxx1993]

I actually kinda hated Gun Frontier's boss. Because if you lost against it, you get an instant bad ending and can't continue. You only have one chance to beat it.

[Deadliar]

I actually kinda hated Gun Frontier's boss. Because if you lost against it, you get an instant bad ending and can't continue. You only have one chance to beat it.

What do you mean can't continue, Gun Frontier doesn't loop '-'

That said maybe that's what makes it so good. Like a literal gun duel, you can do as you like but when the moment comes one error means you fuck up. I'd say the coolness makes up for the unfairness.

edit: let's not forget that this boss is delivered by an exploding train that you fought earlier and paraded through the entire level just to dread you up.

[MathU]

Wow, tough topic. Always had a thing for R-Type III's final boss and Odious Trident in Darius Gaiden.

Then there's that final battle with Bashinet at the end of Kingdom Grandprix, but maybe I just love the stage itself.

Hellsinker's finale, if you can consider that one boss, is a one-of-a-kind experience.

[Mortificator]

What do you mean can't continue, Gun Frontier doesn't loop '-'

That said maybe that's what makes it so good. Like a literal gun duel, you can do as you like but when the moment comes one error means you fuck up. I'd say the coolness makes up for the unfairness.

edit: let's not forget that this boss is delivered by an exploding train that you fought earlier and paraded through the entire level just to dread you up.

In an enormous coffin, no less, then you finally load up your fighter's huge six-shooter and go for broke. I agree, it's super hardcore.

[xxx1993]

Hey, what do you guys think of Con-Human from RayForce?

[Leeram]

I'd have to go old-school and say the ship in Phoenix. I love hitting it over and over to try to get rid of the pink bits.

As a close second I'd say the Mutoid Man at the end of level one on Smash TV

[copy-paster]

The Embryon.

[Deadliar]

The Embryon.

Can't help but agree. They found the perfect sea creature to play the godlike alien role. I loved that boss and the stage leading up to it was great too, shows how to do a climax right.

[MathU]

While you fans are here, would you happen to have any tips for dealing with this particular attack? I find the blue lasers added to the other bullets in Version 2 really difficult to avoid.

[Durandal]

RefleX.

Accept no substitutes.

[xxx1993]

I liked the ORN Emperor more than the final boss of Thunder Force V because at least you're not on a time limit that will get you a bad ending. And it's better if you fight it with the Free Range.

[xxx1993]

Another thing about Gun Frontier, be sure you don't have two players for the final battle. Because then you have to fight two ships instead of just one.

[copy-paster]

While you fans are here, would you happen to have any tips for dealing with this particular attack? I find the blue lasers added to the other bullets in Version 2 really difficult to avoid

Why you even play Ver.2? The difficulty curve is broken, vanilla version is already challenging.

[Magma Dragoon]

RefleX.

Accept no substitutes.

Hell no. Those two last battles are total bullshit.

[xxx1993]

How about Raiden Fighters Jet's final boss? You have to stop a terrorist plane loaded with a nuclear missile.

[Herr Schatten]

Gradius.

It just makes a lot of sense that the final boss is completely helpless. If he was totally capable of fighting for himself, why would he send forward all those other enemies and bosses?

[Deadliar]

How about Raiden Fighters Jet's final boss? You have to stop a terrorist plane loaded with a nuclear missile.

Gotta love nuclear missiles. I'm getting flashbacks of Hagane's demon missile and Gunforce II's caterpillar mech that wraps itself around one. Heck, even Mercs had a missile didn't it, plus at least 10 games that I can't remember.

[monouchi]

Gun-Smoke

Gun Frontier*

Standoff with spaceships. Beat that I dare you.

This.
And you only got six shots. (And boss have two positions of his shield stop that appears random.)

[xxx1993]

How about Raiden Fighters Jet's final boss? You have to stop a terrorist plane loaded with a nuclear missile.

Gotta love nuclear missiles. I'm getting flashbacks of Hagane's demon missile and Gunforce II's caterpillar mech that wraps itself around one. Heck, even Mercs had a missile didn't it, plus at least 10 games that I can't remember.

Yeah, and it's rare that you fight terrorists in shmups.

[Magma Dragoon]

This monstrosity: http://nineteenforty.wikia.com/wiki/Apparetoride

[xxx1993]

Oh man, it IS huge.

[BIL]

That's what HE said.

OH GOD MODS PLS EDIT THIS, I MISSED THE "S"

MODS PLS

[KAI]

This bitch, I love her.

[BulletMagnet]

MODS PLS

You couldn't pay me enough.

On topic, I'm kinda surprised nobody mentioned Xyga (unless I missed it) - about as epic as such a low polygon count gets.

[city41]

I really enjoy Espgaluda's final boss. Nice long fight that's varied, but no pattern is boring. I also like the opening laugh and the background music as the fight starts.

[cj iwakura]

Perfect Cherry Blossom's is art. Also a fan of Imperishable Night. ZUN does love his epic showdowns.

[Deadliar]

Perfect Cherry Blossom's is art. Also a fan of Imperishable Night. ZUN does love his epic showdowns.

Try ESP Ra. De.