Shmup Ticker: What are you playing RIGHT NOW?

[birb]

Other than my Touhou misadventures. I have been playing RaidenDX and RefleX. Was playing a bit of Gradius II and Strikers 1945 II at the start of this month. With some Daioujou Black Label practice.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

When Takumi released the PSX port of NR, they cut out the two-player co-op feature thus making it an single player stg excursion at best + points counter GUI was removed as well.

I was so confused by the lack of 2 player when I tried the PSX version. Takumi has some really unfortunately poor ports, like this along with Giga Wing Generations' PS2 port are really in need of proper porting efforts.

[XoPachi]

Hello.

Laser wheels are fun and good. :)

Goodbye.

[mycophobia]

i played a round of gradius 3 on snes, made it to the two walker dudes and kind of forgot how to do that part. fun game

[XoPachi]

I went through Axelay for the first time in years. I feel like I've talked about this a LONG time ago, but I really really really love "storied" STG's. This game feels like an adventure. Games like Axelay, Thunder Force 4, RayForce, and some others that give a sense of journey. Like you feel like a hero at the end instead of simply finishing a game. I love that sometimes. And it doesn't take much for me. It just boils down to presentation and set pieces. The game doesn't need an actual plot or spoken dialogue.

[mycophobia]

i played batman on the nes tonight. hard game, tbh. wait that's not a shmup, sorry!

[BIL]

i played batman on the nes tonight. hard game, tbh. wait that's not a shmup, sorry!

Don't worry, its GB+MD cousins and its not as good FC sequel all have Amazing Shump Gameplay™ (｀w´メ) (also use this loophole to discuss MARIO 1CC )

[bobhasashotgun]

I went through Axelay for the first time in years. I feel like I've talked about this a LONG time ago, but I really really really love "storied" STG's. This game feels like an adventure. Games like Axelay, Thunder Force 4, RayForce, and some others that give a sense of journey. Like you feel like a hero at the end instead of simply finishing a game. I love that sometimes. And it doesn't take much for me. It just boils down to presentation and set pieces. The game doesn't need an actual plot or spoken dialogue.

The final boss of Axelay is one of my favorites. I think about that one a lot (maybe even over-think it).

In the first phase, I get the feeling it doesn't take you seriously, as though you making it there was nothing but a rare stroke of luck. Like, "I don't know how you made it here, but I'm going to crush you with a rock now."

Then you damage it's armor and the music changes and it attacks you for real.

But, it still can't stop you, so it scans your ship. Maybe it's a new type of ship? Then tries to destroy you with copies of your ship it created from the scans.

But it still can't stop you! Then the victory music plays and you chase it down as it tries to flee in fear.

More video games need final bosses that get terrified and try to run away.

And all this happened without a word of dialogue, just gameplay.

[1000Eyes]

Dug into Milestone because of all the good word from M. Knight and KAI. Enjoying it a lot! Esp. Karous. Maybe my favorite take on the caravan system. Now if only there was a good scoring guide, because I don't really know how boss scoring works...

Also really liking Akai Katana Zetsu. I feel like Karous and AK have weirdly the same energy in that they are super frantic games despite allowing you to be invincible for half the credit.

[Gamer707b]

I went through Axelay for the first time in years. I feel like I've talked about this a LONG time ago, but I really really really love "storied" STG's. This game feels like an adventure. Games like Axelay, Thunder Force 4, RayForce, and some others that give a sense of journey. Like you feel like a hero at the end instead of simply finishing a game. I love that sometimes. And it doesn't take much for me. It just boils down to presentation and set pieces. The game doesn't need an actual plot or spoken dialogue.

The final boss of Axelay is one of my favorites. I think about that one a lot (maybe even over-think it).

In the first phase, I get the feeling it doesn't take you seriously, as though you making it there was nothing but a rare stroke of luck. Like, "I don't know how you made it here, but I'm going to crush you with a rock now."

Then you damage it's armor and the music changes and it attacks you for real.

But, it still can't stop you, so it scans your ship. Maybe it's a new type of ship? Then tries to destroy you with copies of your ship it created from the scans.

But it still can't stop you! Then the victory music plays and you chase it down as it tries to flee in fear.

More video games need final bosses that get terrified and try to run away.

And all this happened without a word of dialogue, just gameplay.

I know what you mean by "feels like an adventure." Games like Axelay, R-Type, U.N Squadron, etc. Going through the obstacle type stages. Axelay is actually the first shoot em up I cleared years ago. I think it took 3 or 4 credits though. Would love to go back and try the 1cc just to have an excuse to play it again. I'd put that, Space Megaforce, Gaiares, Thunder Force 3 and 4, Gate Of Thunder all up there with each other. Love the 16-bit era shooters. I also enjoy Battle Garegga, Ketsui and a few others, but something special about the 16-bit games that I can just fire up and smile from ear to ear. Wish there was more talk of them here.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

For Gamer707b,

Yes, the classic PC Engine Super CD-Rom2 stg of Gate of Thunder is ace when played on a standard jamma endowed candy cab with a KriKzz Turbo Everdrive Pro setup -- it feels like a proper "arcade release only" stg title through and through if played with that particular setup (especially with a 27" low-res 15.7kHz arcade CRT monitor rotated to yoko format indeed).

----------
It means using a NEC PC Engine/Core Grafx/Core Grafx II/SuperGrafx/TurboGrafx-16 console (with the appropriate necessary & required TG-16 to PCE controller adapter listed here: https://stoneagegamer.com/pce2tg16-cont ... -frog.html) with a KriKzz Turbo Everdrive Pro flashcart + KriKzz ED-FX add-on + a Mega Drive 2 Scart cable fed into an Arthrimus "JammaIZER" Scart to Jamma Ver. 2 pcb + a Brook Retro Board + a PC Engine to RJ-45 controller interface cable = "priceless" way to play the PCE SCD GoT stg as it was originally intended. This link here with the Arthrimus Scart to Jamma Ver. 2 pcb: https://arthrimus.com/product/console-j ... pre-order/
----------

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Gamer707b]

For Gamer707b,

Yes, the classic PC Engine Super CD-Rom2 stg of Gate of Thunder is ace when played on a standard jamma endowed candy cab with a KriKzz Turbo Everdrive Pro setup -- it feels like a proper "arcade release only" stg title through and through if played with that particular setup (especially with a 27" low-res 15.7kHz arcade CRT monitor rotated to yoko format indeed).

----------
It means using a NEC PC Engine/Core Grafx/Core Grafx II/SuperGrafx/TurboGrafx-16 console (with the appropriate necessary & required TG-16 to PCE controller adapter listed here: https://stoneagegamer.com/pce2tg16-cont ... -frog.html) with a KriKzz Turbo Everdrive Pro flashcart + KriKzz ED-FX add-on + a Mega Drive 2 Scart cable fed into an Arthrimus "JammaIZER" Scart to Jamma Ver. 2 pcb + a Brook Retro Board + a PC Engine to RJ-45 controller interface cable = "priceless" way to play the PCE SCD GoT stg as it was originally intended. This link here with the Arthrimus Scart to Jamma Ver. 2 pcb: https://arthrimus.com/product/console-j ... pre-order/
----------

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

When I imported my PC Engine Duo R, the seller had it RGB modded, with a RGB cable, re-capped and so on. However, I'm not a tech savvy guy, so I happily play it on a CRT with AV cables. I think it still looks beautiful the way I play. I'm still amazed that this supposed 8-bit console can put out so many colors. To me the games seem to rival the SNES.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

For Gamer707b,

Yes, the classic PC Engine Super CD-Rom2 stg of Gate of Thunder is ace when played on a standard jamma endowed candy cab with a KriKzz Turbo Everdrive Pro setup -- it feels like a proper "arcade release only" stg title through and through if played with that particular setup (especially with a 27" low-res 15.7kHz arcade CRT monitor rotated to yoko format indeed).

----------
It means using a NEC PC Engine/Core Grafx/Core Grafx II/SuperGrafx/TurboGrafx-16 console (with the appropriate necessary & required TG-16 to PCE controller adapter listed here: https://stoneagegamer.com/pce2tg16-cont ... -frog.html) with a KriKzz Turbo Everdrive Pro flashcart + KriKzz ED-FX add-on + a Mega Drive 2 Scart cable fed into an Arthrimus "JammaIZER" Scart to Jamma Ver. 2 pcb + a Brook Retro Board + a PC Engine to RJ-45 controller interface cable = "priceless" way to play the PCE SCD GoT stg as it was originally intended. This link here with the Arthrimus Scart to Jamma Ver. 2 pcb: https://arthrimus.com/product/console-j ... pre-order/
----------

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

When I imported my PC Engine Duo R, the seller had it RGB modded, with a RGB cable, re-capped and so on. However, I'm not a tech savvy guy, so I happily play it on a CRT with AV cables. I think it still looks beautiful the way I play. I'm still amazed that this supposed 8-bit console can put out so many colors. To me the games seem to rival the SNES.

For Gamer707b,

Yes, the PCE's color pallette is quite awesome, especially if played on a low-res 15.7kHz monitor like the Amiga 1080 RGB monitor via the DB-9 interface port -- looks super razor-sharp as it is if using a Scart to DB-9 adapter setup.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Whiskers]

Good news! After a long dark age of shmuplessness, I can finally get back to my beloved games.

Bad news! I've forgotten all my routes and I suck at DDP all over again. And I forgot my password, because why would I remember such tiny details?

Practise run replay:
https://odysee.com/@Whiskers:a/2026-02- ... c5Z3t9k8sC

[Gamer707b]

@Whiskers Never heard the word "Shmuplessness" it made me smile. If you don't mind, I'll be using that from time to time

I haven't been playing any shmups with any consistency, popped in some Thunder Force 3 decided to do a blind run after not touching it for years. Such an awesome 16-bit shooter. Went to final boss and almost got the 1cc, but not quite.

[AGermanArtist]

Bought Gunvein in the recent Steam sale and while it's not on the level of Crimzon Clover (very little is), it's still a decent effort. Solid 8/10 game. I just don't know if I would choose to play it ahead of the many options I have available.

[Faith]

Bought Gunvein in the recent Steam sale and while it's not on the level of Crimzon Clover (very little is), it's still a decent effort. Solid 8/10 game. I just don't know if I would choose to play it ahead of the many options I have available.

Gunvein is nice! I like Gunvein style of extend/bomba cap very low (3)... and no limit on extends from score. This means can play early stage super aggressive or super lazy... make many mistakes... and can still clear game lol. Many runs, I reach St 5 with 0 extends... then start to play properly from there, and reach boss at extend cap and clear >.<!~ Because of this, Gunvein is my relax STG. Never play it super serious, but play it just to have fun, relax, smile... really love it. Always nice to have a "relax STG"... and for me Gunvein is that!~

[AGermanArtist]

Bought Gunvein in the recent Steam sale and while it's not on the level of Crimzon Clover (very little is), it's still a decent effort. Solid 8/10 game. I just don't know if I would choose to play it ahead of the many options I have available.

Gunvein is nice! I like Gunvein style of extend/bomba cap very low (3)... and no limit on extends from score. This means can play early stage super aggressive or super lazy... make many mistakes... and can still clear game lol. Many runs, I reach St 5 with 0 extends... then start to play properly from there, and reach boss at extend cap and clear >.<!~ Because of this, Gunvein is my relax STG. Never play it super serious, but play it just to have fun, relax, smile... really love it. Always nice to have a "relax STG"... and for me Gunvein is that!~

It reminds me a lot of Danmaku Unlimited 2.

[tzm_rade]

Playing it does feel a bit a scientific and academic especially with all the tips and tutorials it gives you on how to git gud at shmups. But, I'm assuming most people who bought the game were already fairly familiar with basic gameplay strategy and scoring. But yeah, it's like that friend who you are always going to have a good chilled out time with but you are probably aren't going to get blackout drunk with them and roll your car on the way back from the club.

I wish it leaned more into the anime style and had more of its own unique identity even if that is at the expense of a bit of polish or a slightly more chaotic game. I feel like what I have played of the Aka to Blue arcade version is maybe a better Gunvein.

[Faith]

But yeah, it's like that friend who you are always going to have a good chilled out time with but you are probably aren't going to get blackout drunk with them and roll your car on the way back from the club.

Haha! I like this! Yes, perfect example!~

But also... sometimes... these friends also there to listen for you if you need it!!

For me, that is really Gunvein. It help me hate myself less. If I struggle with other STG... I know I can spend good time with Gunvein, and it will be there, just for... more simple no-stress time together.

[Whiskers]

@Whiskers Never heard the word "Shmuplessness" it made me smile. If you don't mind, I'll be using that from time to time

No problemo, mi amigo.

[1000Eyes]

Still on Akai Katana Zetsu. One thing I love is the boss fights. Sure, they are pretty easy by CAVE standards pattern-wise, and you get a ton of bombs and ninja mode at your disposal, but I love their design anyway. The human design looks cool, the voice acting is superb and tasteful, and i love how the attacks are contextualized. The fight against the Stage 4 boss has a giant upside down warship forcing you to the bottom 30% of the screen. Shmup bosses typically wall you in by shooting a literal wall of bullets, but I love it when devs find a way to create a more tactile, thematic way of doing this mechanic. It really makes me feel like im dueling with an actual opponent, and not a bullet spewer

[1000Eyes]

Bought Aka to Blue after looking for more Cave inspired shooters post sdoj. Happy to say this is making me a mobile shooter convert. It really does afford a different kind of control, some ways more precise than with a keyboard like im used to. And the scoring system does take advantage of it, rewarding point blanking. This is an old hat system, but is given new life by how different it is to point blank using touch controls. The specific motion im doing is to stop touching the screen for a while, because tapping the screen causes the ship to fire, then do a quick decisive flick to kill the enemy when it is in the right spot. The analog novelty really does it for me.

It's also really pretty, a really appealing cel shaded 3d look.

Only bad thing so far is that while 1cc-able, it only records score per stage, and only upon survival! That's so dumb, and makes performance eval a chore.

[Faith]

Finally decided try Ketsuipachi for myself... haha... super fun mode! Will probably take forever to 1CC because when play have too much crazy stupid fun to even be able to put brain to route it properly. Already... Daifukkatsu can be quite visual chaos... then you add all those Ketsui chips especially when spamming super big 10 chips, stars flying everywhere, cancelling lasers... so on... I did one cancel, that was so big... that the arcade slowdown go super hard and I think game drop to like 3 FPS hahaha! Super, super, SUPER satisfying. I think this is now my favorite DDP...

...and Faith loves SDOJ a lot >.<!~

[Gamer707b]

Been enjoying some 16 Shmups lately. Did a nice and comfortable 1cc of Thunder Force 3 last weekend and now, working on PC Engine Ordyne. I feel TF3 rarely gets talked about here and even less so, Ordyne.

[jehu]

Been enjoying some 16 Shmups lately. Did a nice and comfortable 1cc of Thunder Force 3 last weekend and now, working on PC Engine Ordyne. I feel TF3 rarely gets talked about here and even less so, Ordyne.

Regarding TF3 - it’s a nice weekend game; lovely music, breezy clear. But that’s all that anyone ever says about it, because it gets shelved after the weekend.

[To Far Away Times]

Been enjoying some 16 Shmups lately. Did a nice and comfortable 1cc of Thunder Force 3 last weekend and now, working on PC Engine Ordyne. I feel TF3 rarely gets talked about here and even less so, Ordyne.

Regarding TF3 - it’s a nice weekend game; lovely music, breezy clear. But that’s all that anyone ever says about it, because it gets shelved after the weekend.

Strong disagree on TF3. I've come back to it again and again. I think I've 1CC'd it over a dozen times. I just enjoy playing it and going on the journey. One of those forever games like Super Castlevania IV or Megaman X where I can play replay it over and over.

[jehu]

Been enjoying some 16 Shmups lately. Did a nice and comfortable 1cc of Thunder Force 3 last weekend and now, working on PC Engine Ordyne. I feel TF3 rarely gets talked about here and even less so, Ordyne.

Regarding TF3 - it’s a nice weekend game; lovely music, breezy clear. But that’s all that anyone ever says about it, because it gets shelved after the weekend.

Strong disagree on TF3. I've come back to it again and again. I think I've 1CC'd it over a dozen times. I just enjoy playing it and going on the journey. One of those forever games like Super Castlevania IV or Megaman X where I can play replay it over and over.

I like TFIII, I’m just saying it doesn’t get talked about because there’s nothing to say. Unless you’d love to play the nth rousing round of “Is it better than AC?” or, another perennial favorite, “Yeah, but it is better than TFIV?” If you want to walk the talk into some real deep waters, you ask “Is TFIII memo bad game design?”

TFIII’s longevity and appeal is in the fact that it’s undemanding. You go on the journey, as you said - you hike the trail and you’re done. That’s legitimate cause to like a game and all. I’d never call it underrated, though; it has as many or more fans than a game of its caliber could reasonably expect. So I think.

I’d be happy for you to unlock some hidden dimension of the game for me if you also think it doesn’t get talked about enough. What doesn’t get talked about?

[BIL]

Amongst console-original horis of its era, TFIII has something singular. Controversial, even. Its invocation has caused brutal flamewars here, and even talk of plane tickets and IRL nerdfights.

Spoiler

The best tracklist EVER for "Yo Mama" jokes

Hunger Made Your Mama Desperate
Your Mama's Behaviour Inspired Us With Distrust
Your Mama Take A Chance
Your Mama Blew All Day Long ( CAREFUL)
The Grubby Dark Your Mama
Final Your Mama

Some say its arcade port was spurred by SEGA's canny nose for scandal; a veritable airdrop of AK-47s into the already febrile GE-SEN jungle.

A good game, despite aforesaid bloodstained lineage! I put Elemental Master, HyperDuel, and Blast Wind ahead of it. I like TFII MD and TFIV more, too, though they share many of its boners! And Herzog Zwei is also rad. I have not played TFAC much tbh, but I like Thunder Spirits' new Cerberus BGM. Dodged a bullet there lmao! Not a patch on the OG track, yet the gallop is rousing, the melody poignant. It may sound like I'm shitting on TFIII but I'm not, Tecno Soft just have an exceptionally lovable MD canon - even DEVIL CRASH MD! I will not pretend to know WTF Blue Almanac even is, but the one tune it cameos in DCMD sure do be purdy.

It PWNS TFV (Saturn OR PlayStation) but then, so do all of the others. Paste the Jojo Part V rando stomp gif here pls.

[1KMS]

Is TFV that revered? It looks and runs worse than TFII, has awful weapon balance that undermines the premise of the weapon system, and has LA-Z-BOY scoring that inverts risk/reward.

Actually, LA-Z-BOY would be a better description of Hyper Duel's scoring.

Hyper Duel No Miss Superplay IRL:
https://youtu.be/3keZ9iHOtbc