We rarely got movies or tv shows fully reimagined as shmups (Powerpuff Girls and a few others notwithstanding), but that didn't stop the movie-to-game industry of the 90's from tossing in the occasional shmup level. The results were often DIRE, made by devs under tight deadlines and with little experience in the genre basics.
A few that come to mind:
Super Empire Strikes Back:
Timecop:
Bart's Nightmare:
What others am I missing? Were any of these actually FUN? I remember the Bartman level being one of the more enjoyable from that game, but that's really not saying much given the mini-game line-up on offer in that title.
Formerly known as 8 1/2. I return on my second credit!
That stage in Super Empire Strikes Back is one of the worst things I've ever played. It's actually hilarious
Possibly not the best example, as the IP is probably remembered more as a game than a comic/cartoon nowadays (and I'm not sure anyone had heard of the latter at the time either - I sure hadn't)
But Bucky O'Hare on NES has at least one shmup stage towards the end. I can't remember if I enjoyed it, but overall the game is pretty fun. Feels like a precursor to the Treasure style of game design, which makes sense given it was created primarily by Masato Maegawa
In defence of Super Empire Strikes Back, it's a very short segment and breaks up what is otherwise a pretty mercilessly difficult affair! The other non-platforming genre twists in that game are considerably better.
It's not a tie-in licence but the Axelay rip-off towards the end of Super Turrican 2 is dreadful - inertia, environmental traps more than shooting, lifebar and a pitifully easy boss fight.
Most tie-in games were pretty lazy cash grabs though, and should be filed under "it's not for you Jen" - they're mass-market platformers with a flashy section to hold on to waning attention spans rather than deliver a tight gameplay experience. Except for Timecop, that entire game is just hilarious - who even bought that?! It was ridiculed in magazines at the time, an 18 certificate film (that didn't even get the Robocop-esque toy market) so the audience is what - dumb edgy teenagers with money to burn?
TransatlanticFoe wrote: ↑Tue Jun 09, 2026 6:46 am
In defence of Super Empire Strikes Back, it's a very short segment and breaks up what is otherwise a pretty mercilessly difficult affair!
Man putting in a random, awful shooter level was all the rage in the 90's. One miserable and obsure example is "James Bond Jr." for the snes. Not only is it bland, repetive, and has awful, awful music, but it also has unrecoverable checkpoints, last the length of a Cave final level, and is what you have to do one minute into the game. Like, I only played the game for about 30 to 45 minutes a decade ago, but just thinking about it conjures up the same emotions that memories of bad food poisoning does.
Spider-man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (Storm's Stages):
And then maybe the ONE example that actually decent, but of course it's by Data East who were putting out some bangers like Vapor Trail and Boogie Wings. Given that, Captain America and the Avengers might be the best example:
Formerly known as 8 1/2. I return on my second credit!
FWIW it's my favorite presentation of the material, mostly thanks to Allister Brimble greatness (minus the song "Driving", which came from another team member's garage band ) and less attention on Jobe becoming an IRL wizard. That was some stupid goofery in the film.
Last edited by 1KMS on Thu Jun 11, 2026 2:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
1KMS wrote: ↑Tue Jun 09, 2026 9:16 pmBatman GB (Batwing)
best shmup on the gameboy!
BIL wrote: ↑Sun Jun 02, 2024 11:01 pm
Imagine a spilled cup of coffee totalling your dick and balls in one shot, sounds like the setup to a Death Wish sequel.
Zeether wrote: ↑Wed Jun 10, 2026 5:56 pm
Kim Possible 2 on GBA has a horizontal shmup section at one point where you're shooting down exploding golf balls
Seems possible
Formerly known as 8 1/2. I return on my second credit!
) and less attention on Jobe becoming an IRL wizard. That was some stupid goofery in the film.
