4th Annual Top 25 Shmups of All Time! - Discussion thread

[louisg]

hey your forgeting the awesome Shareware house ABA Games. Also forgot Shanghai Alice.. PC shmups kick ass

Ahhh I was joking =) Is this thread silly yet?

[FraGMarE]

Has anyone done their own preliminary calculations on the list, based on the submissions? I'm getting antsy, i guess. I'm trying to see if Gate of Thunder made a return to the list this year. ;P

[Turrican]

Has anyone done their own preliminary calculations on the list, based on the submissions? I'm getting antsy, i guess. I'm trying to see if Gate of Thunder made a return to the list this year. ;P

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 237#132237

That were my two cents on it. I doubt Gate as a chance, sorry.

[Keranu]

Man seeing those games outbeat Gate of Thunder is disgusting.

[Zach Keene]

As requested, here's the semi-final list of voted-for games:

Code: Select all

1941
1942
1943
1943 (NES)
1943 Kai
1944 - The Loop Master
19XX: The War Against Destiny
Abadox
Aero Fighters
Aero Fighters II
Aero Fighters III
Agony
Air Buster / Aeroblasters
Air Zonk
Airrade Air
Aldynes
Aleste / Power Strike
Aleste 2
Alpha Mission II
Anaza Kaleidoscope Special (MSX1)
Android Assault
Angeraze 2
Apidya
Armalyte (C64)
Armed Police Batrider
Arrow Flash
Axelay
Banshee
Batsugun / Batsugun Special Version
Battle Bakraid
Battle Garegga
Battle Mania / Trouble Shooter
Battle Mania 2
Battle Squadron
Beamrider
Bike Banditz
Bio Metal
Biohazard Battle
Blast Wind
Blaster Burn (MSX2)
Blazing Lazers / Gunhed
Blazing Star
Blood Money
Border Down
Bosconian (Arcade)
Brave Blade
Carcharodon White Sharks
Carrier Air Wing
Centipede
Change Air Blade
Chaos Field
Chariot
Cho Ren Sha 68K
Choujikuu Yousai Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie
Cotton
Cotton 100%
Cotton 2
Cotton Boomerang
Crisis Force
Cyvern
Daioh
Dangun Feveron
Darius / Darius Plus
Darius Gaiden
Darius II / Sagaia
Darwin 4078
Datastorm
Defender
Delta (C64)
Demon Attack
Detana Twinbee
Dimahoo / Great Mahou Daisakusen
Disposable Hero
Divine Sealing
Dodonpachi
Dodonpachi Daioujou
Dogyuun
Donpachi
Dragon Blaze
Dragon Breed
Dragon Spirit
Dropzone
Einhänder
Elemental Master
Eliminate Down
Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
ESPGaluda
ESPGaluda II
ESPRade
Exed Exes
Fantasy Zone
Final Soldier
Fire Shark / Same! Same! Same!
Forgotten Worlds
Formation Z (Arcade)
G.Darius
Gaia Seed
Gaiares
Galaga
Galaga '88
Galaxian
Game Tengoku
Gate of Thunder
Gekirindan
Gemini Wings
Genocide Circuit 2
Geometry Wars
GG Aleste
Giga Wing
Giga Wing 2
Giga Wing Generations
Gleylancer
Gokujyo Parodius
Gradius / Nemesis
Gradius 2 MSX / Nemesis '90 Kai
Gradius Gaiden
Gradius Galaxies/Generation/Advance
Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou / Vulcan Venture
Gradius III AC
Gradius III SNES
Gradius IV
Gradius V
Grid Seeker
Guardian Force (Saturn)
Gun.Smoke
Gunbird
Gunbird 2
Gunnac
Guwange
Gynoug / Wings of Wor
Gyruss
Harmful Park
Hellfire
Hellsinker
Homura
Hotdog Storm
Hybris
Hype
Hyper Duel
Ibara
Ikaruga
Image Fight
Image Fight II
Imperishable Night
In the Hunt
Insector X (Genesis)
IO
Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius
Judgement Silversword
Kamui
Katakis (C64)
Ketsui
Kingdom Grand Prix
Knightmare (MSX1)
Kyukyoku Tiger II
La Soeur de Barrage
Last Resort
Leathal Xcess
Lords of Thunder / Winds of Thunder
Macross 2036 (PCE Duo)
Mahou Daisakusen / Sorcer Striker
Mars Matrix
Mazinger Z
Metal Black
Millipede
Mr. Heli no Daibouken
Musha Aleste / M.U.S.H.A.
Mushihimesama
N2O aka Nitrous Oxyde
Nanostray
Nebulas Ray
Nexzr
Noiz2sa
Omega Fighter Special
Ordyne AC
Outzone
Override
Parodius Da!
Parsec47
Perfect Cherry Blossom
Phalanx
Phelios
Philosoma
Phobia
Phoenix
Pop 'n Twinbee
Power Strike II (SMS)
Progear no Arashi
Project X
Psycho Chaser (TG-16)
Psyvariar / Psyvariar Revision
Psyvariar 2
Pulstar
R-Type
R-Type Delta
R-Type Final
R-Type II
R-Type III: The Third Lightning
R-Type Leo
Radiant Silvergun
Radilgy
Radio Zonde
Raiden
Raiden DX
Raiden Fighters
Raiden Fighters 2
Raiden Fighters Jet
Raiden II
Raiden III
Rally Raid
Raptor: Call of the Shadows
RayCrisis
Rayforce / Layer Section / Galactic Attack / Gunlock
RayStorm
Recca
Return of the Invaders
Revenge of the Robot Cats from Mars
River Raid
Robo Aleste
rRootage
Salamander (ARC) / Salamander (PCE)
Salamander (FC) / Life Force (NES)
Salamander (MSX)
Salamander 2
Samurai Aces(ARC)
Satan's Hollow
Scramble
Section Z (AC)
Sengoku Ace
Sengoku Blade / Tengai
Sexy Parodius
Shienryu
Shienryu Explosion
Shikigami no Shiro
Shikigami no Shiro 2 / Castle Shikigami 2
Shoot the Bullet
Side Arms
Silk Worm
Silpheed
Silpheed: The Lost Planet
Sinastar
Sky Shark / Flying Shark
sky wolf
Slap Fight
Sol Divide
Sol Feace
Solar Striker
Soldier Blade
Sonic Wings Special
Sorcer Striker
Soukyugurentai
Space Invaders
Space Invaders '95
Space Jockey (Atari 2600)
Space Manbow
Spider Fighter
Spriggan
Star Force
Star Parodia
Star Soldier (PS2/GC/PSP)
Stargate / Defender 2
StarRay
Steel Empire GBA
Steel Saviour
Strike Force (Arcade)
Strikers 1945
Strikers 1945 II
Strikers 1945 III / Strikers 1999
Strikers 1945 Plus
Super Aleste / Space Megaforce
Super Fantasy Zone
Super Laydock
Super R-Type
Super Spacefortress Macross/Chou-Jikuu Yousai Macross (Arcade)
Super Star Soldier
SWIV
Sylphia PCE
Tempest
Tempest 2000
Tempest X?
Terra Cresta
The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
The Guardian Legend
Thunder Cross
Thunder Cross 2
Thunder Force AC
Thunderforce II
Thunderforce III
Thunderforce IV / Lightening Force
Thunderforce V
Time Pilot
Time Pilot '84
Tokio
Trizeal
Truxton / Tatsujin
Truxton 2 / Tatsujin Ou
Tumiki Fighters
Twin Cobra / Kyukyoku Tiger
Twin Eagle
Twin Hawk / Daisenpuu
Twinbee
Twinbee: Yahhoo!!
Twinkle Star Sprites
Tyrian
UN Squadron (ARC)
UN Squadron (SNES)
Undeadline (MSX2)
Under Defeat
Uridium
Uridium II
V V
Varth
Vasara
Vasara 2
Viewpoint
Viper Phase 1
Vulgus
Warning Forever
Wings of Death
X-Multiply
X-Out
Xenon
Xenon 2
Xevious
Xevious 3D/G
Xevious Arrangement
Xevious Fardraut Saga (MSX2)
Xexex (Japan)
XII STAG
Z-Out
Zanac (MSX1)
Zanac (NES) / Zanac EX
Zanac Neo
Zed Blade
Zero Gunner 2
Zero Wing
Ziriax

If I've grouped things together that shouldn't be (or split things that should be grouped), or something snuck by that's not a shmup (at least for the purposes of this poll) now's the time.

[Shatterhand]

I really don't think Arcade Xevious and Arcade MSX 2 should be separated games.

The MSX 2 version has some new features and is superior in a few ways, but the level design is basically identical to the arcade, and it even has the "arcade" mode that removes the new features.

[chempop]

^Wonders why my vote for Sol Divide didn't make the list. I know how unpopular the game is, but shouldn't it at least have made this list?

I like the art style and setting a lot in Sol Divide. The graphics have a very unique look to them and I enjoy the spells, enemy design (especially bosses), and close combat attacks. I don't have a problem with the huge character, although a slightly smaller hitbox would have been nice. I can't stand the loading (SS version), and I completely understand why so many people hate the game, but I can look beyond the faults and still enjoy it (despite being psikyo's worst game).

[Turrican]

I really don't think Arcade Xevious and Arcade MSX 2 should be separated games.

The MSX 2 version has some new features and is superior in a few ways, but the level design is basically identical to the arcade, and it even has the "arcade" mode that removes the new features.

I disagree. Fardraut Saga has a "recon" mode which is a straight port of the original, but also a "scramble" mode (the main bulk of the game) which comes with new ships, new enemies, power-ups and different stage layouts - if that doesn't make of it a distinguished episode I don't know what it does.

[Zach Keene]

^Wonders why my vote for Sol Divide didn't make the list. I know how unpopular the game is, but shouldn't it at least have made this list?

Sorry; your entire vote was being eaten due to some formatting issues I thought I'd already taken care of. Got it fixed now.

(Which version exactly of Life Force did you vote for, BTW?)

[chempop]

Lifeforce - NES

no prob, first time voting for me. great to see all the variety, thats one hell of a list.

[Turrican]

Tempest 2000 and Tempest X3 are quite different games... different webs, different powerups... they have been voted like, twice, so it won't make any difference anyway. I would separe them however.

[Zach Keene]

I would separe them however.

Done. (Guess it's obvious I haven't played either.)

[Turrican]

if you ever find one cheap in the bargain lid, have a spin. I get the impression you might like it.

[rolins]

Turrican, I goofed on Blaster Burn it's suppose to be MSX2 and not MSX1.

[Shatterhand]

I really don't think Arcade Xevious and Arcade MSX 2 should be separated games.

The MSX 2 version has some new features and is superior in a few ways, but the level design is basically identical to the arcade, and it even has the "arcade" mode that removes the new features.

I disagree. Fardraut Saga has a "recon" mode which is a straight port of the original, but also a "scramble" mode (the main bulk of the game) which comes with new ships, new enemies, power-ups and different stage layouts - if that doesn't make of it a distinguished episode I don't know what it does.

Power ups?

I must admit I don't have much experience with Xevious, but for me, Recon and Scramble mode were basically the same, except you could "build" your ship before starting the game, and the level design was just basically identical to the arcade one.

[Turrican]

Power ups?

I must admit I don't have much experience with Xevious, but for me, Recon and Scramble mode were basically the same, except you could "build" your ship before starting the game, and the level design was just basically identical to the arcade one.

Heck, no. Have another go at the rom if you can. Scramble not only lets you choose your craft: when you destroy ground targets, you get all sorts of powerups: things like shields, fire-rate increase and such.
And the stage layout is different - there are many enemies specific to this version. Try to reach later zones and you'll be amazed to see some enemies whose patterns clearly are taken from Zanac / Aleste.
It's also nice that each craft you choose has its own musical theme...

[Shatterhand]

I actually do have the game for my MSX (Well, a copy in a floppy disk, basically like all my MSX games ). I just never played the arcade game all that much, and I haven't played the MSX one for long enough to not remember power ups

[DC906270]

hmmm, nice list Zach - looks like just about every shmup ever made was voted for then

[zinger]

Battle Mania = japanese version of Trouble Shooter, I don't think there's a lot of any difference between these (translation aside)...

[Blade]

Wow, I count 333 shmup titles. Interesting round number.

[xaer0knight]

damn now thats a list!

[Dale]

I think that someone voted for Galaga 90 and it,s not on the list.

[rolins]

I think that someone voted for Galaga 90 and it,s not on the list.

It's under the name Galaga '88. It's name was changed to Galaga '90 for its U.S release under the TG16.

[Turrican]

I see Dragon Spirit was voted but not its sequel, Dragon Saber. I wonder why. Both games had roughly the same exposure (Arcade, PCE, then Namco museums - I doubt NES Spirit was the key factor here), and I thought Saber was a noticeable step forward.

Guys, what is the game you are surprised it doesn't figure among the Great 333?

You can name only one!

[Ceph]

I'm rather supprised at some of the games that WERE listed, like Divine Sealing.

EDIT: Looked it up, was apparently a joke.

[DC906270]

I see Dragon Spirit was voted but not its sequel, Dragon Saber. I wonder why.

I think that was me. I voted for Dragon Spirit for the PCE. IMO it is better than Dragon Saber. It has a simpleness and charm about it which i like, and kind of defines a good little 8-bit shooter. I was trying to represent all eras on my list.

[ave]

Mh I think Gradius for NES should be listed seperately because its a completely different (good) version of the game. And 1943 is also listed for NES and Arcade

[benj]

I'm surprised that no one voted for Sentimental Shooting, which is probably the most unique shooter ever created. One of my favourites, and the game that made me a fan of this genre.

[shiftace]

I made a token vote for Sentimental Shooting last year. But I basically didn't play it at all this year, and I decided that I wasn't going to pad my vote this time, so no deal.

I feel a little sad being the only one to vote for Radio Zonde or Hellsinker, but maybe seeing a half dozen votes for Recca balances that out.

[Dale]

I,m the only person who voted for some of the ABA games I don,t see why more people don,t enjoy them their free and very high quality.

I,m also disapointed that more early capcom shmups(vulgus gunsmoke Exed Eyes)didn,t get more votes I did see a few but their should have been more as these are my favorit,s.