In need of recommendations for Cute em Ups!!

[AkitaRonin]

Hello!
I'm new here and have only really got addicted to STGs at the beginning of this year, but for now I can't get enough of them (:

I've been spitballing game ideas with some buds so we can try and develop and our current favorite is a Cute Em Up. With that said, I've been trying to research games of this subcategory and would love if you more experienced folks gave me some pointers

Currently, there are two things I've been trying to find more of:
1) Cute em Ups with some interesting scoring systems
2) Vertical scrolling Cute em Ups, since the vast majority of titles I've found out are all horizontal (basically only know Star Parodier, TwinBee and found this Visco game called Captain Tomaday, which is very much a TwinBee variation)

If anyone has any recommendations, I'd really appreciate it!

[BulletMagnet]

Off the top of my head:

- Yeah, pickings are somewhat slim on the vertical front when it comes to cute-em-ups, though you might be interested in Twinkle Star Sprites (and its PS2 sequel), a "versus" shmup in that style. If licensed games count, there were two based on the "Time Bokan" anime from the 32-bit era, as well as a fairly recent one for that "Maidragon" anime, though I haven't played it.

- Scoring-wise, several of the Cotton games have some unusual setups; the "sealing" system of 2 and Boomerang comes most immediately to mind, though Reboot and Rock n Roll might also be worth checking out. Within the same theme (but different scoring mechanics) there are also the Trouble Witches titles.

- Harmful Park on the PS1; physical copies are stupidly expensive, though it also showed up on the Japanese PSN on PS3 IIRC, if that's still available. Scoring there primarily involves using your four weapons in varying situations to bring down as many enemies with a single shot as possible.

- I recently tried out a Steam title called Harpoon Shooter Nozomi; I've only put a little time into it, but its scoring is about proximity kills, including hooking larger enemies and dragging them towards you.

I'm sure there's plenty I'm forgetting, I'll tack on more if anything reappears in my memory banks.

[Jonpachi]

I’d take a look at Sisters Royale for a more modern vert cute fix (slightly on the sexy/anime side but very tame with chibi character models). There’s also the eternal Star Parodier for a hyper-cute retro take.

[Steven]

Highly recommend Cotton Reboot and especially Cotton Rock 'n' Roll if you are interested in playing for score. I guess Kiki Kaikai probably counts and the new one is really excellent.

[Some-Mist]

it's not a vert, but hacha mecha fighter is available on the ps4/switch arcade archives

weird scoring system like some other nmk games, you score more quickly by hugging the far right side of the screen which is a risky spot to put yourself in since that's where the enemies spawn in through. there are fruit scoring items but if you avoid picking up all fruit within a stage you get +1 million points at the end of the stage, so you're not only dodging bullets and enemies but the scoring items as well

Real fun risk/reward on both fronts. You wanna be greedy and hug the wall but you might put yourself in harms way by not knowing the spawns or trying to sit there for a few seconds too long. And if you skip all the fruit and accidentally pick one up near the end of the stage, you miss the scoring potential you would have gotten by just picking up all the fruit up until that point

[Sima Tuna]

Twinbee and Twinbee clones are the order of the day for cute-em-up verts. There are a couple of Twinbee-likes whose names I have forgotten, but I'm pretty sure they're on Arcade Archives if you care to browse their vert collection.

[Herr Schatten]

Another vote for Sisters Royale. That game is very accessible and the scoring is so much fun.

Other than that, Gun-Nac might be worth a look. And if you don’t mind my shameless plug and happen to like caravan games, I suggest you check out Flight of Pigarus, too.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The famous swan song horizontal based side-scrolling stg by the name of "Magical Chase" immediately comes to mind on the underground cult favorite gaming console, the venerable NEC manufactured TurboGrafx-16, which was originally released in the USA by TTI (Turbo Technologies Incorporated -- a joint collaboration between NEC & Hudson Soft based out Los Angeles, CA from 1992 through 1994) on December 31st, 1993. It and Legend of Hero Tonma were the very last two Turbo Chip cartridges to be officially released for the TG-16 (hence MC commands "a king's ransom" nowadays on the secondary gaming collector's market with a $25,000 to $35,000 price tag if in brand new and sealed condition -- it, originally, came with a MSRP of $19.99 brand new at the American based Toys-R-Us stores back in February of 1994 -- there was no indication/clue that MC & Tonma were the very last two cart-based games from TTI during that particular point in time).

The TRU retail locations stateside, were selling brand new TG-16 consoles for a mere $29.99 back in December of 1993. Video game specialty retailer, Babbage's, was selling a special brand new TG-16 bundled set with two stg titles of Blazing Lazers & Air Zonk (in lieu of the original pack-in game of "Keith Courage in Alpha Zones" included with a TG-16 during it's initial August of 1989 grand debut) as pack-in games for $49.99 in April of 1994. TTI had setup it's Turbo Duo demo kiosks at the TRU stores back in 1993 but I haven't seen any appear for sale on the secondary gaming collector's market (as they were extremely rare and elusive to see in retail stores anyways) -- it was quite cool to try out the "Gates of Thunder" horizontal-based side scrolling stg prominently showcased with a typical TTI Turbo Duo demo kiosk setup back in the early 1990s indeed. By the end of 1994, it was possible to buy a brand new Turbo Duo console for $99.99 on clearance (assuming if you knew where find them still for sale). At the San Francisco TRU location in February of 1995, they were still selling brand new TTI Turbo Duo consoles with the original MSRP of $299.99 (when it first went on sale back in October of 1992 grand debut).

Nowadays, the cheapest way to play MC on a TG-16 or PC Engine console is to pick up either a Krikzz Turbo Everdrive v2.5 or Turbo Everdrive Pro flash cart setup -- you can load up both PCE & TG-16 versions of MC roms to see the similarities and differences between them both. IMHO, the TTI MC stg title isn't worth the high prices that it's selling for nowadays.

Sure, the Turbo Zone Direct mail-order business based out of Agoura Hills, CA, sold brand new copies of TTI MC for $39.99 back in 1994 through 1996 -- TZD was the "cool joint" to patronize when buying new TG-16 and Turbo Duo games when TTI sold it's remaining TG-16 & Turbo Duo gaming hardware & software inventory to them back in 1995.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Shatterhand]

I don't know if you want such old games, but on the MSX computer you have Famicle Parodic, Famicle Parodic 2 and Rona, all nice vertical cute'em ups.

I think Gemini Wing maybe also qualifies as a cute'em up? And... Game Tengoku / Game Paradise I think it fits more under "weird" than "cute", but maybe worth checking out?

And considering no one mentioned it, I am afraid of being really wrong here, but... Mushihemesama (and Futari) ? I really think they qualify as cute'em ups, have interesting scoring system, are vertical and the also the best games by Cave?

[davyK]

Most have been mentioned - just to reiterate that the Twinbee deluxe packs for PS1/Saturn are good. As is the SFC/SNES Twinbee shmup (personally I prefer it to the arcade ports in the deluxe packs).

And another shout for the rather splendid Star Parodier for PCE which got released on the Wii virtual console. It's a vertical game too. Has shades of the Twinbee games - but you can play as the PCE console! There's 2min and 5min caravan modes included.

Also - there's a couple of nice Space Invaders games that fit the bill. There's SI Dx which has a Parody mode that is just SI with Taito game sprites but there's also Space Invaders '95 which is a full on manic cute SI game.

The later Galaga games were cutified too. Think Galaga '88 meets the mark.

[Mortificator]

The major cute verts I was thinking of have already been mentioned, so...

Space Bomber?

Muchi Muchi Pork?

Tobe Polystars?

Hani in the Sky? Probably wouldn't recommend that one though

[Ixmucane2]

Another vertical suggestion, maybe more silly than cute: Toilet Kids. But I think Harmful Park should take precedence.

[Some-Mist]

Muchi Muchi Pork?

love muchi muchi pork so much, definitely a top 3 shmup of all time for me.
the soundtrack and art style doesn't really do it for me, but I absolutely love how active you have to be switching between the two shot types, using your regular shot to build up lard and lard shot to produce scoring items and doing so in quick succession to continue producing medals throughout the stage.

it's pretty frantic at the beginning of the game as you quickly try to produce 1 medal, pick it up, and produce another higher value one until you max out the medal count. it feels so satisfying once you actually get there and can just focus on scoring a screen full of medals.

the other aspect I like is that you max out at 5 life stock and cannot collect any more, so it forces you to be strategic around your suicides which helps with rank control and producing more bombs which also aides scoring, because collecting another extend/life when you're maxed is quite a waste.

not too different than other yagawa, but a lot more approachable and I've had loads of fun with it (I was absolutely addicted after getting into the second loop of 1.01 to the point that I had to get a 1.0 pcb)

[Acid]

Gundemoniums and Trouble Witches might qualify. Both are really fun.

[davyK]

Muchi Muchi Pork is a good call.

[M.Knight]

Muchi Muchi Pork and Sisters Royale get a recommendation from me too!

One game that might be worth checking out is Dr Toppel's Adventure. It's admittedly a bit janky but the cute visuals and the vertical scrolling fit your description.The option management system in the game is pretty fun as well.

[DrBossKey]

My buddy made Spellpaws, a horizontal Cute'Em up that has a charming art style, and I did some playtesting for the game, the price is name your own price: https://gendgi.itch.io/spellpaws

[BrianC]

The later Galaga games were cutified too. Think Galaga '88 meets the mark.

Cosmo Gang the Video definitely counts. Themed after an electro-mechanical game, but a spiritual sequel to Galaga '88. Even references Galaga and Galaxian related games on the high score screen.

I was trying to remember the name of this obscure Data East cute 'em up from 1987. Wonder Planet is the name of it and it's a vertical shmup. Definitely counts, though I don't see it mentioned here often.

[jpd66]

I’ll recommend Neko Navy, a cool indie game from a few years ago. It’s a hori, not a vert. But it does have a simple, yet fun and addictive scoring system. When you shoot enemies, little tokens are released from them. You collect these to fill your bomb meter. When your bomb meter is full, you bomb enemies, which then release little scoring tokens that you collect for score. Rinse and repeat, over and over again. You’re able to fill your bomb meter pretty frequently, which creates an addictive, bomb-heavy gameplay loop. And more foundational, the stage design fundamentals are really sound as well, creating a nice sense of rhythm, pacing, and flow. Not to mention the slightly trippy, surreal hand-drawn aesthetic that is chill as hell. Also, despite being a cute ‘em up, there is a nice little visceral crunch to explosions and shot sound effects that accentuate the action. Super fun game that I can enjoy almost any time, regardless of mood. It’s on Switch and PC.

[Some-Mist]

damn, completely forgot about neko navy. even though it got some attention around release, it kinda flies right under the radar

[Sima Tuna]

Neko Navy is awesome. I played it quite a bit on my switch.

[AkitaRonin]

Thank you so much for all responses and recommendations!! I'll try to answer basically everything of note, which might lead to a big post. I'm new to the forum, so if this is a bother (didn't see anything about post size on rules), please someone tell me so I can reduce/edit it!
There we go!

- Scoring-wise, several of the Cotton games have some unusual setups; the "sealing" system of 2 and Boomerang comes most immediately to mind, though Reboot and Rock n Roll might also be worth checking out. Within the same theme (but different scoring mechanics) there are also the Trouble Witches titles.

I'm going to check the whole of Cotton for sure, it's been on the list! I do have only Rock and Roll on Steam, but it's been sitting in the library, I'm going to check it more thoroughly! I'm waiting for a sale for Trouble Witches, but also really want to dig in! Also, thanks for the other two picks!

I’d take a look at Sisters Royale for a more modern vert cute fix (slightly on the sexy/anime side but very tame with chibi character models).

Ooh, I had forgotten about Sisters Royale!! I have it and loved playing it. In some ways, even more charming than Shiki to me! Thanks for the reminder!

Highly recommend Cotton Reboot and especially Cotton Rock 'n' Roll if you are interested in playing for score. I guess Kiki Kaikai probably counts and the new one is really excellent.

I have Rock and Roll, going to have a deeper look with you being the second to recommend it! Also, super want to get into Kiki Kaikai

Other than that, Gun-Nac might be worth a look. And if you don’t mind my shameless plug and happen to like caravan games, I suggest you check out Flight of Pigarus, too.

I actually just played Gun-Nac, as I was scrolling down the Cute em Ups list on TV Tropes haha Very charming! Also, for sure I'll check your game! I do love me some Caravan stuff

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Magical Chase does look fantastic, I'm going to check it out! Shmup Junkie truly sold me on the PC Engine and I have to delve deeper into its games at some point, truly feels like a golden era STG paradise

I don't know if you want such old games, but on the MSX computer you have Famicle Parodic, Famicle Parodic 2 and Rona, all nice vertical cute'em ups.

I think Gemini Wing maybe also qualifies as a cute'em up? And... Game Tengoku / Game Paradise I think it fits more under "weird" than "cute", but maybe worth checking out?

And considering no one mentioned it, I am afraid of being really wrong here, but... Mushihemesama (and Futari) ? I really think they qualify as cute'em ups, have interesting scoring system, are vertical and the also the best games by Cave?

Never heard of any of these games, so that was perfect, thanks!
Well, except for both Mushi, which I did play and love. First Mushi is currently my favorite Cave game, so yeah, I feel you! haha Though for what I have in mind I fear it's not going to help me too much, but yeah, I'd say they are CeU adjacent as well!

Also - there's a couple of nice Space Invaders games that fit the bill. There's SI Dx which has a Parody mode that is just SI with Taito game sprites but there's also Space Invaders '95 which is a full on manic cute SI game.

The later Galaga games were cutified too. Think Galaga '88 meets the mark.

Now that's interesting, I'm totally going to have a look at it!

Space Bomber?

Muchi Muchi Pork?

Tobe Polystars?

Hani in the Sky? Probably wouldn't recommend that one though

I know the first two, and god, I love Muchi Muchi Pork. Wish (well, as with all the others) it was on Steam...

My buddy made Spellpaws, a horizontal Cute'Em up that has a charming art style, and I did some playtesting for the game, the price is name your own price: https://gendgi.itch.io/spellpaws

Very nice!!

I’ll recommend Neko Navy, a cool indie game from a few years ago.

It's on the list, for sure!!
Gotta snatch it on sale. Ended up picking Hazelnut Hex over it some sales ago, but I really want to dive in!!

Now really, thank you so much everyone! I'm annotating all of these games to have a deeper look!! Awesome selection!

[Lander]

Long posts huh, what kind of jerk would do that *cough*

Spoiler

In my experience, the worst consequence you'll see is accidentally killing a thread because nobody can be bothered to follow up a megapost!
That, and the nagging sense that you might be bothering somebody or being judged for your locquacity. But that's livable

Also, it doesn't fit most of the criteria - scrolls horizontally (though freely!) and afaik isn't particularly exotic for score - but it wouldn't do to have a cute 'em up thread without mentioning the Fantasy Zone games Tears of Opa-Opa and its System 16C remake are both very pleasant.

[davyK]

For hori, Fantasy Zone is a great call. The Parodius games get all the love but Fantasy Zone (arcade and Megadrive) are excellent games.

[cocopuffs]

Play Like Dreamer! It's on Steam and Switch.

[AkitaRonin]

Long posts huh, what kind of jerk would do that *cough*

Spoiler

In my experience, the worst consequence you'll see is accidentally killing a thread because nobody can be bothered to follow up a megapost!
That, and the nagging sense that you might be bothering somebody or being judged for your locquacity. But that's livable

Also, it doesn't fit most of the criteria - scrolls horizontally (though freely!) and afaik isn't particularly exotic for score - but it wouldn't do to have a cute 'em up thread without mentioning the Fantasy Zone games Tears of Opa-Opa and its System 16C remake are both very pleasant.

I appreciate the response!! HAHA
And I agree, on my personal experience, that does happen. But good to know I'm not breaking any rules whew

I gotta recheck Fantasy Zone, because I only played it inside Yakuza and before I got addicted to STGs. Also, Opa-Opa is indeed extraordinarily cute.

Play Like Dreamer! It's on Steam and Switch.

It was on sale, so I bought all of the games two days ago!! Loving them, though I have played more of the other two by now. But yeah, amazing games, and helps that I already love Touhou, so...
I do love that they have big enemies on stages, it's a loving middle ground between Touhou stage design and something more Cave.

[Lander]

I gotta recheck Fantasy Zone, because I only played it inside Yakuza and before I got addicted to STGs. Also, Opa-Opa is indeed extraordinarily cute.

It's a nice little series. FZ1, its 2.5D PS2 remake, Super, and 2DX are variations on a theme (with some seriously killer FM boss bass in there,) whereas 2 ended up being made for Master System and ported up to arcade. A notable step down in presentation, but it evolved the formula in some interesting ways that the series mostly didn't go back to, like adding multi-area stages, persistent shops, and hidden items.

2's plot has a delightfully dark twist behind the cute, too.

Fight Club, but with intergalactic war crimes and a cute spaceship. Heavy!

There's Space Fantasy Zone as well, a complete-but-never-released arcade Space Harrier a-like, which makes for an interesting Sega curio.

[blazinglazers69]

There’s like a million Touhou games. If you enjoy Like Dreamer and Cosmo Dreamer you should know that they’re pretty much based on Touhou with the risk/reward system of going to the top of the screen to collect more point items.

[AkitaRonin]

I gotta recheck Fantasy Zone, because I only played it inside Yakuza and before I got addicted to STGs. Also, Opa-Opa is indeed extraordinarily cute.

It's a nice little series. FZ1, its 2.5D PS2 remake, Super, and 2DX are variations on a theme (with some seriously killer FM boss bass in there,) whereas 2 ended up being made for Master System and ported up to arcade. A notable step down in presentation, but it evolved the formula in some interesting ways that the series mostly didn't go back to, like adding multi-area stages, persistent shops, and hidden items.

2's plot has a delightfully dark twist behind the cute, too.

Fight Club, but with intergalactic war crimes and a cute spaceship. Heavy!

There's Space Fantasy Zone as well, a complete-but-never-released arcade Space Harrier a-like, which makes for an interesting Sega curio.

Honestly, I'm thoroughly convinced. Thanks for the run down

There’s like a million Touhou games. If you enjoy Like Dreamer and Cosmo Dreamer you should know that they’re pretty much based on Touhou with the risk/reward system of going to the top of the screen to collect more point items.

Yeah, it's actually funny how natural it becomes, because I opened Cosmo Dreamer for the first time and instantly went to the top of the screen to collect items haha Just the style of game already made me expect the Item Collection Line
I loved how Outside games have the 3 bomb cap limit and incorporate the bomb more on scoring, which I always appreciate
I only didn't mention Touhou before because I wanted to find more traditional Cute Em Up instead of the Touhou popular moe style, but yeah, I love these games as well