What're your favorite features found in a SHMUP?

[Ed Oscuro]

One of my favorite features is the Toaplan Instant 5,000 Point Bonus (10,000 at times if you're playing Grind Stormer - 500 if you're unlucky). Luck isn't a part of it; you get it by saving bombs. Hooray!

Another feature that I like is destructable armor on enemies. You can see progress being made, which is always a nice visual cue to have.

The final feature I'm enamored of: Constantly climbing score counters! The kind that you find in a game like Grind Stormer or Batsugun which keeps the numbers rolling while you're hosing down an enemy. It's a potential distraction, but it has some unique applications (the statues at the beginning of Grind Stormer's second stage are oen), and if an enemy gets away (or, worse, you die), at least you have the consolation of partial points for your excellent playing. When you destroy the enemy, your score is kicked up the appropriate multiple of a thousand points. Cool.