The shmups sales/deals thread

[Jucksalbe]

Darius Extra Ver. and Sagaia are on sale for ¥100 each on the Japanese eShop.

[m.sniffles.esq]

Reminder: The Steam "your parents didn't buy you a $2000 Freon-cooled tower with more LEDs than a car from a Fast and Furious movie for schoolwork. You can do that on a $250 Chromebook" sale is in full effect. So if you wanted something, it's probably real cheap right now.

Of special mention: Andro Dunos II is currently $1.80

[LordHypnos]

Reminder: The Steam "your parents didn't buy you a $2000 Freon-cooled tower with more LEDs than a car from a Fast and Furious movie for schoolwork. You can do that on a $250 Chromebook" sale is in full effect. So if you wanted something, it's probably real cheap right now.

Of special mention: Andro Dunos II is currently $1.80

As part of this, the Cotton Reboot + Rock 'n Roll Bundle is deeply discounted (under $20)

[Jotamide]

Dodonpachi Saidaioujou is 10% off on the NA Nintendo Eshop: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/produ ... ou-switch/

[SavagePencil]

Shinorubi (at least, in the US, on Switch) is on sale at 70% off for $6.00

https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/produ ... bi-switch/

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Shinorubi (at least, in the US, on Switch) is on sale at 70% off for $6.00

https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/produ ... bi-switch/

The gripe with the Switch port of Shinorubi is, the dev of Last Boss 88 still hasn't released a patch to upgrade the actroious 30fps framerate to a more acceptable arcade-spec 60fps framerate. At least the Switch port of Pararumi has a 60fps framerate presentation from the get-go.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[SavagePencil]

Shinorubi (at least, in the US, on Switch) is on sale at 70% off for $6.00

https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/produ ... bi-switch/

The gripe with the Switch port of Shinorubi is, the dev of Last Boss 88 still hasn't released a patch to upgrade the actroious 30fps framerate to a more acceptable arcade-spec 60fps framerate. At least the Switch port of Pararumi has a 60fps framerate presentation from the get-go.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

dang, that's a good heads up.

[Faith]

Gunvein 50% off on Steam!~

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2025840/Gunvein/

Very strong recommendation! It is just crazy fun with a good tutorial for new players!!~

[Triple Lei]

Got an email from Steam that sez R-Type Delta: Boosted is on sale for $17.49, down from $24.99, ending March 3.

But it's still a hard sell for me because PS1 emulation on Steam Deck is pretty great, I'm not in love with the d-pad on the Steam Deck, and I've decided to just get my shmups on Switch unless there's an obvious performance gap.

No such sale on the Nintendo eShop for R-Type Delta, but Gunvein is still on sale on eShop at a lesser 30%; $13.96, down from $19.95, ending in two days.

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EDIT: Okay maybe R-Type Delta: HD Boosted on Steam is worth a purchase now:

Patch notes for the Steam version:

R-Type Delta: HD Boosted Patch!

Thank you to all our fans who continue to enjoy R-Type Delta: HD Boosted.

Based on player feedback, we have released an update patch aimed at enhancing the gameplay experience.

The following fixes and adjustments have been implemented:

・The pre-Stage 1 cutscene can now be skipped by pressing the START button equivalent.

・Enemy placement in Stage 3 has been adjusted to more closely match the original version.

・To better recreate the original version's gameplay in Stage 3, a 'Slowdown Setting' has been added in the options.

・Corrections and adjustments have been made to certain in-game cutscenes that were not triggering correctly.

・Sound effects have been adjusted.

・Other minor bugs have been fixed.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and valuable feedback.

We hope you continue to enjoy this more accessible version of the game!

Sounds decent enough. They've maintained their commitment to the new running speed while implementing workarounds for the issues it caused.

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EDIT 2: This Bluesky post sez it's coming to other platforms too. So I'll wait for a Switch sale after all.

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EDIT 3: Boy, am I spending a lot today. Big Clear River Games sale on Switch (Toaplan Arcade Collection Vol. 1 & 2, Under Defeat, Gimmick, and others) ending in 14 hours.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

On the USA region Switch eShop portal, a couple of Switch based stg titles are on sale:

Exo-Calibre -- is on sale for $4.47 usd with an MSRP of $6.99 usd making it a 36% off discount if bought by the end of 3/19/2026. Is a 115md digital d/l.

Sol Cresta Complete Set -- is on sale for $12.49 usd with an MSRP of $24.99 usd with a 50% off discount if bought by the end of 3/11/2026. Includes all DLC that was made available as separate purchases back in 2024. Is a 4.0gb digital d/l.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[SavagePencil]

Wolf Fang (which rules) / Skull Fang (which doesn’t) Boosted is 70% off:

https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/produ ... ed-switch/

[SavagePencil]

Many of the SEGA AGES titles (including G-LOC and Thunder Force AC) are on sale for $2.39 on the Switch eStore US:

https://www.nintendo.com/us/search/#q=s ... me&sort=df

[AGermanArtist]

Under Defeat £6.29

[m.sniffles.esq]

I was poking around the "golden week" sale on the (se)xbox, and there's a buncha of them shooting games for real cheap. All three Strikers 1945's and Zero Gunner 2 for $3 a pop. Metal Black S-Tribute for $2.50. Under Defeat for $10. Personally, I gripped Space Invaders IG for $1.50

[Triple Lei]

Here we go with the sales all starting and ending pretty much at the same time (around July 8 ). A lot of stuff is around half off. And what's on sale on Steam is probably on sale on Switch as well, if available.

But the Cave games on Steam in particular are on sale for 45%. DLC at 20% off. (I don't think they go on sale too often)

Mushihimesama: $10.99 (was: $19.99)
Dodonpachi Resurrection: $16.49 (was: $29.99)
Deathsmiles: $10.99 (was: $19.99)
DARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviours: $14.99 (was: $49.99)
R-Type Delta: HD Boosted: $19.49 (was: $24.99)

They seem to play nice with Steam Deck, especially the soundtracks as DLC.

Similar games on sale suggested by the Switch shop:

Earthion
Raiden Nova
Super Hydorah
Drainus

Of course, there's more than just shmups on sale, and you guys all have wishlists anyway. Personally I think I have to jump on Fire Emblem: Warriors on Switch because them Nintendo games rarely go on sale.

[DietSoap]

It describes itself as "A block breaker + shooter game" so I'll put it here.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2123 ... e_Edition/

[PC Engine Fan X!]

It describes itself as "A block breaker + shooter game" so I'll put it here.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2123 ... e_Edition/

The above listed Steam port of CyberBlocker was originally developed & released for free on the Switch-based Smile Basic 4 gaming utility app -- is still quite playable and fun the first time around. KT.Software decided to give it a wider release/audience with added QoL improvements on the Steam gaming platform (which was a wise business decision in retrospect).

KT.Software also released the slick Smile Basic 4 based stg title of "Reflection Force" + Famicom-ish "Reflect Edge" douijin stg bonus as well back in 2020.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Faith]

It describes itself as "A block breaker + shooter game" so I'll put it here.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2123 ... e_Edition/

Ahh thank you for reminding me this exist! Remember seeing some time ago Skeleton made small segment about it here lol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9q4Annt16A&t=412s

[Starfighter]

Hazelnut Hex is $1.99 on itch right now!

Edit: And it's... free...? On archive? Uploaded by the developer and everything. Huh!

[PC Engine Fan X!]

On the USA region Nintendo Switch eShop portal, Red Art Games' Psyvariar 3 for the Switch 1 LCD/OLED variant handhelds is currently on sale for $14.99 usd instead of it's usual regular MSRP of $19.99 usd. The 25% off sale is good until the end of 7/28/2026 -- save $5.00 off the regular price instantly upon purchasing it right now.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~