sven666 wrote:
these days early 90s qualifies as retro too methinks..
Not retro enough!

Gaming got popular from 8-bit and then further.
8-bit was mainly pre '90s and should not be exluded.
It even was THE era when shmups started to rise to popularity.
8-bit shmups are a vital part in the history of shmups and SHOULD be part of this retro week! In fact I would prefer two retro weeks as it could mean both an 8-bit AND a 16-bit shmup for the compo.
I like most of my 8 and 16-bit games better (am better at them too) and would not want see them excluded. Some younger people (no being around in those days) might not like it, but I don't like the manics of recent years as much though if they are on the list of shmups I will play them of course.
So non 8/16-bit generation shmuppers in the contest should be man enough to compete at older shmups too as should I (and others) try and do well at the new-school ones.

It levels the field a bit more too.