Renaissance of the Shmup -- First post in 7 years

[vercimber]

Guys, I haven't been on this forum in seven years, and then only to write a message to someone about a Saturn I sold them.

I used to be into shmups to the point of near-insanity, and I've even got an idea for one that I need get started on. It seems that this generation of games is spreading shmup-love far and wide, something the community isn't used to. The last bit of "addiction" I had, before now, is back in the CAVE-port-to-360 days.

I'm now collecting for the Switch (and, to a smaller extent, the PS5). I am trying to get most of these physically. Please let me know other physical releases I've missed or that you recommend. My someone anemic collection consists of the following. I love bullet hell, but I also love memorization horizontal shooters. I like CAVE's aesthetic the most, and I just snagged a preorder for the physical release of Crimzon Clover. So here's what I have with me:

Deathsmiles I & II
Dodonpachi Resurrection
Mushihimesama
G-Darius HD
Andro Dunos 2
ESPRa.de. (JPN)
Darius Cozmic Collection (JPN)
Cotton Reboot

I know I'm missing ESPGaluda, but I'm having difficulty justifying the cost--$80 is just a tad rich for my blood.

I have some run n' guns in physical form, and would appreciate any ideas in this genre, too:

Huntdown
Valfaris
Contra Anniversary Collection

[Sengoku Strider]

Given your description, the PS4 releases of Ketsui and Battle Garegga are absolute musts if you're looking for physical. Dangun Feveron as well. M2 did a ton of great work on those ports, and they're exclusive to the platform.

My someone anemic collection consists of the following.

This is concerning. Do we need to alert the authorities that you have the members of My Chemical Romance in a glass case in your basement or something?

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Aleste Collection for Switch is top notch. There's also Rolling Gunner for Switch, which was made by a former CAVE dev involved in some of their later games.

[vercimber]

Ha! Stupid typos. I have the PS4 releases of Ketsui and Battle Garegga, and I didn't know Dangun Feveron had a physical release. Awesome.

Given your description, the PS4 releases of Ketsui and Battle Garegga are absolute musts if you're looking for physical. Dangun Feveron as well. M2 did a ton of great work on those ports, and they're exclusive to the platform.

My someone anemic collection consists of the following.

This is concerning. Do we need to alert the authorities that you have the members of My Chemical Romance in a glass case in your basement or something?

[vercimber]

Aleste Collection for Switch is top notch. There's also Rolling Gunner for Switch, which was made by a former CAVE dev involved in some of their later games.

Never would have encountered Rolling Gunner without your suggestion. Thanks.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Hilarious typos are sometimes the best. Embrace them.

gearshiters, lol

[EmperorIng]

Be wary, not all physical releases are worth it (some games get physicals that are quite dull and not worth your time, just like in the good ol' days! Shikhondo comes to mind).

If you have the other Taito releases, the new Ray'z Arcade Chronology is a no-brainer. Top-notch collection of the three eminently excellent Ray games (RayForce, RayStorm, RayCrisis). PS4 version runs a little better than Switch (and doubles the amount of savestates you can use in the games iirc) but I have the switch version and enjoy it quite a bit, as someone who doesn't own a PS4 or PS5.

[vercimber]

Be wary, not all physical releases are worth it (some games get physicals that are quite dull and not worth your time, just like in the good ol' days! Shikhondo comes to mind).

If you have the other Taito releases, the new Ray'z Arcade Chronology is a no-brainer. Top-notch collection of the three eminently excellent Ray games (RayForce, RayStorm, RayCrisis). PS4 version runs a little better than Switch (and doubles the amount of savestates you can use in the games iirc) but I have the switch version and enjoy it quite a bit, as someone who doesn't own a PS4 or PS5.

Yeah, I appreciate the heads up. I imagine certain companies never update their games--or don't embed the DLC on the Switch cartridge. For some reason, I had it mind that this one (which I have preordered) was coming out much later. Thanks to you, I'll switch (huh huh) to a PS4/5 physical copy. I appreciate it.

[Sumez]

I have some run n' guns in physical form, and would appreciate any ideas in this genre, too:

Huntdown
Valfaris
Contra Anniversary Collection

Tanuki Justice, Steel Assault, and Blazing Chrome
Thank me later.


I'm playing Valfaris too right now, and it's the most Euro thing I've played in years. Not convinced it really qualifies as run'n'gun, especially given how much more effective standing and swording is.
The three games I mentioned are all brilliant however, especially the former two.