How do you shmup?

[dingsbums]

First off great topic.

I played games since 1989 when I had a Game Boy as my first system. I seriously started collecting in 1995 (ads in video game mags, import shops over the phone and fleamarkets = yes collecting was way different without the Internet). Fast forward to 2001/2002 I was together with a girlfriend that HATED gaming and I made the mistake of my life and sold my entire collection .
But the urge came back hugely in 2007 when I ordered my first 2 CIB Famicom games namely Super C and Metal Storm (each for (now) laughable 30$) from Yahoo and the collection bug hit me hard again.
When I got my first Astro City cabinet around that time I tried with a PC and MAME emulation and it was not for me.
Fast forward to 2021 and I have around 50 consoles, 5 Arcade cabinets (Astro City, Egret 2, New Astro City, chopped Naomi and a Scud Race cab) around 2500-3000 console games and around 250 Arcade PCBs.
I counted my Shoot'em ups a few months ago and I have exactly 483 Shoot'em ups as it was always one of my favorite genres.
So I guess to answer the question - I want the physical release - I get no excitement from a download because I feel like I bought nothing for my money .

[Herr Schatten]

I have a dozen systems hooked up permanently, plus a couple of handhelds lying around. I prefer physical media on original systems wherever possible, but the prices old games, and shmups in particular, command are completely out of bounds. There are games I have decided to not buy due to inflated prices even a couple of years ago that now fetch thrice as much. I have zero interest in collecting, so there's only so much money I'm willing to pay to just play a game. Re-releases, digital or otherwise, on modern systems are therefore much appreciated.

[heli]

Some people wear gold chains for in case they get broke,
i play shmups.

@Dingsbums, you will be a millionaire in a few decades, if it all still working and you are willing to sell.

[Gamer707b]

Oh boy, seems I'm in the minority here. I just can't enjoy digital games. Like…at all. There's such an important part missing for me….can't help it really, I tried. Spent an unhealthy amount of cash on the Virtual Console on Wii back then, got an arcade stick even, but no dice.
Since I don't want to dabble in PCBs I'll have to make peace with MAME sooner or later, probably in the form of Raspberry Pi or something. Most of those arcade exclusive shmups I have ever played to this day. But I'm slowly warming up to the notion of emulation for those.

Meanwhile I still have lots and lots of physical STGs to enjoy; it helps I haven't really sold any games since starting collecting in 1988, when I was nine years old.

There are some notable titles I'm still missing to this day (Phalanx, BioMetal, Thunder Force VI, Ibara, ESPGaluda, Zanac x Zanac, 3 Wonders for Saturn, some others) but maybe they'll find their way to me one day. Aside from those I'm pretty happy with my STG library, despite some of my Mega Drive games being not too pretty. But I'm all set with Neo Geo and PC Engine aside from Burning Angels (why would someone burn an angel anyway?), and whenever something comes out on disc or cartridge for PS4 and Switch I'm usually all over it. :

So yeah, I'm a bit behind the times maybe, but I'm enjoying it greatly!

We are a kindred spirit. Right there with you. Something satisfying about the physical media, the real deal. I grew up in the 80s, so I love the physical ownership. Just knowing I can play any of my Switch games a year, 2 or 20 years from now is nice. I avoid digital unless I have no choice like in Cup Head. Nice thing is with many of the indies I play these days, most come out in physical. Nice to know I'm not the only one. Lol.

[MintyTheCat]

Ok, chaps - we shall be singing this in the old folks' home so best get some practice in:

Let's get physical, physical
I wanna get physical, let's get into physical
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
Let me hear your body talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zwPVU92-XQ

[MJR]

Luckily, I started collecting PCB's and old systems 20 years ago, when the prices were still on this border of the sane. Even then, I had some simple checkpoints I went through before making buying decision:

-Is the game available on decent port on old system that I can hook up on CRT?
-How important the original arcade experience is and how big is the nostalgia factor on it.

So, I play games on original PCB on my cab whenever possible, and when that is not possible, then on old console hooked up on CRT and arcade stick. Emulation is the kinda last resort for me. M2 ports have been quite satisfying though, as well as some hamster releases. I also like the Capcom arcade stadium. I have original Commando PCB and the arcade stadium version holds up to it quite well, especially after the patch - although no emulation can ever match the high input accuracy and feedback & feel of the original hardware.

But I can definitely sympathize and understand people who don't want to get broke on old games. I would not even recommend it - there are so many decent emulation options around.

[dmk1198]

Never done PCB
Find pc to meh
My pandora box came preloaded with almost every mame shmup
I had pc engine mini loved it
And hacked snes classic
But just got ps1 mini now hacked with all above , kept pandora stick to
Love buying whatever old & new shmups appear on PS4/5 Xbox backwards compatibility is awesome to
And of course my lil switch with Tate adapter thingy

Sent from my M2007J20CG using Tapatalk

[DazTM]

Ultimately it all comes down to money, and if we put aside all the nonsense both pro and anti emulation people spew, I think the proper course comes down to "don't mass-distribute roms" and "support companies if it's possible and reasonable".

100% agree. I've purchased games like Eschatos, Crisis Wing, Crimzon Clover, etc. and am more than happy to support these guys. But I'm emulating Soldier Blade and Lords of Thunder, etc. because those go for 90-300 bucks online and that money isn't going to original developers from the early 90s anyway. This is commonsense stuff.

How do you feel about reissues? I'm happy to chuck money at games like R-Type III, because while the original owners might not always own the IP, the current IP owners do at least get cash which hopefully means they might release more classic games or consider creating new ones.

[PerishedFraud ឵឵]

How do you feel about reissues? I'm happy to chuck money at games like R-Type III, because while the original owners might not always own the IP, the current IP owners do at least get cash which hopefully means they might release more classic games or consider creating new ones.

As long as it isn't inflating the price based on existing scarcity or collector value, it's 100% a good thing.

[DazTM]

How do you feel about reissues? I'm happy to chuck money at games like R-Type III, because while the original owners might not always own the IP, the current IP owners do at least get cash which hopefully means they might release more classic games or consider creating new ones.

As long as it isn't inflating the price based on existing scarcity or collector value, it's 100% a good thing.

I agree. I've seen some people call them bootlegs because they're not officially licensed by Nintendo and Sega, which is madness in my eyes. I'm hoping Slap Fight MD gets a re-release as I don't see the point in giving someone £300 and the IP owners don't benefit from the transaction.

I'm probably going to sell off all my DC shooters now as I'm happy to go down the ODE route for that particular system.

[ChrisBEANS]

Great topic, really interesting, and pretty much the reason I joined here was to make sure I’m not missing out on the best ways to play things…

I have a couple of Neo Geo cabinets (one Japanese Candy style, one European, stand up wooden cab), and I’m really enjoying playing MVS SHMUPs on real hardware (Favourites are Blazing Star, Aero Fighters/Sonic Wings 1&2, and particularly Strikers 1945 Plus).

I prefer to SHMUP on the Candy, which is odd because I much prefer Metal Slug on the stand up cab.

My newly found enjoyment of SHMUPs has introduced me to games like Ketsui, Deathsmiles, Esp Ra De etc, and CPS2 titles like Progear and Giga Wing.

I’d like to learn from people who really understand and appreciate these games at a high level, do I really need the originals for the best experience??

I’m certainly never forking out thousands for a Deathsmiles PCB, but I bought the Steam version for about seven quid. Am I missing anything?

I hear the converted carts of Ketsui and Espgaluda are ‘perfect’ versions on the PGM, but what about CPS2 stuff? Is the Darksoft Multi equally as good, or do I need OG PCBs??

(I appreciate this isn’t the thread to answer those questions, just saying this is a really interesting topic!!)

[MintyTheCat]

I hear the converted carts of Ketsui and Espgaluda are ‘perfect’ versions on the PGM, but what about CPS2 stuff? Is the Darksoft Multi equally as good, or do I need OG PCBs??

You can convert them to use the PGM boards. I had a chap do the work for me. His work was fine without any issues but the communication was all over the place and he really charged and took ages to deliver.

Still, I quite like ketsui myself and it is well worth playing. You can also get dondonpachi-daioujou DOJ as a PGM conversion too.

If you like NeoGeo Shmups have you played Last-Resort?

[ChrisBEANS]

I hear the converted carts of Ketsui and Espgaluda are ‘perfect’ versions on the PGM, but what about CPS2 stuff? Is the Darksoft Multi equally as good, or do I need OG PCBs??

You can convert them to use the PGM boards. I had a chap do the work for me. His work was fine without any issues but the communication was all over the place and he really charged and took ages to deliver.

Still, I quite like ketsui myself and it is well worth playing. You can also get dondonpachi-daioujou DOJ as a PGM conversion too.

If you like NeoGeo Shmups have you played Last-Resort?

With the PGMs, I hear that the copies sold on Ali Express are actually spot on conversions, so I think I’ll have a dabble. Not a fan of the DonPachi stuff really, it’s just too bonkers. Perhaps it’ll grow on me??

I’m lucky enough to have a NeoSD Pro, so I’ve tried all the Neo SHMUPs, but the top three I think are Strikers, Aero Wings 2&3, and then Blazing Star, Zed Blade and Prehistoric Isle 2 very close behind…

[Liquidus0]

The rising prices of retro are making a lot of shmups very expensive and it means certain systems like the PC Engine and Mega Cd are beyond me now.
With that in mind does everyone stick to physical releases where possible, arcade boards, ports or are they happy to embrace ODEs (something I'm considering with my Dreamcast collection).

The context of your life will affect your habits and preferences I assume. Money, work, space, relationship and family are huge factors that influences your lifestyle along with your personality of course.

I was playing ports and on MAME before 2016, but when I bought my house, things changed for me. I started collecting games more and more as I had way more room than before. Then had the opportunity to buy cabs and PCBs. My goal for collecting games always was the first-hand experience with original hardware.

As of today, I have a good job, living in a house with my girlfriend and I am lucky to have the time and the money to put in the authentic arcade shmup experience. I must have something near 300 shmups among my 1700 games collection, which include 150 PCBs. Al so got 10 cabs and many consoles.

As long as I'll be able to afford it without making any compromise, I'll always favor this way of playing.

That said, I still use MAME once in a while. Mostly for shmup tournaments when I don't have the game being played.

I never owned any Everdrive or ODE so far. I'm following what's being done with the MiSTer. I think I'll be tempted eventually to replace the MAME station with this.

Not fond of digital as you might guess. I think the only digital game I ever bought is Crimzon Clover World Ignition.