Help out a complete shmup newb

[xghostsniperx]

Hey guys--

After playing Gradius V, Ikaruga, and Gunbird 2 a few weeks ago at a friend's house, I knew shmups were my genre. I don't have long blocks of time to play games anymore, and I think shmups will be perfect for those 30 minute blocks of time between classes.

I realize shmups will make my wallet bleed. Considering I have a lot of extra scolarship money that I can spend on anything, I figure I may as well cure my boredom since my friends are back at their tech colleges. So, where do I start with shmups? I'm willing to import and buy new consoles if I have to. I just want to have a ton of great games I can put a ton of hours into.

Here's the consoles I have:

PSX (import ready)
N64
Saturn (Japanese only)
DC (import ready)
PS2 (import ready)
GC (US only)
360 (US only)
Wii (US only)

So, any reccomendations on a few games to start with? Some have told me most DC shooters aren't worth it considering they're availible in much cheaper compilations on PS2. Saturn also seems pretty pricey.

Any reccomendations would be great.

[CMoon]

Hey, try checking out our new FAQ and see if that a helps out

If you have more questions after you've read that, shoot away.

[xghostsniperx]

Thanks, I'll probably get everything on that Top 25 list.

[Arvandor]

Some have told me most DC shooters aren't worth it considering they're availible in much cheaper compilations on PS2. Saturn also seems pretty pricey.

Any reccomendations would be great.

Yeah, read the FAQ, but I'll address a couple things anyways.

Mars Matrix, Ikaruga, Border Down, Under Defeat, Zero Gunner 2, Bangai-O... None of these DC shooters got PS2 releases, and only Ikaruga got a GC release, and that's it. They're my favorite DC shooters too, only one missing off that list is Radirgy, which you can indeed get for the PS2 or Gamecube. The one's ported to the PS2? Twinkle Star Sprites (superior on Saturn), Psyvariar 2, Trizeal (both mediocre in my opinion), and of course Radirgy and Gunbird 2, both being very good and fun games.

The Saturn can be very pricey, with Radiant Silvergun, Hyper Duel, Blast Wind, and possibly a couple others being over $100 US, and Battle Garegga being $70+. I honestly think Radiant Silvergun is worth it, but I wouldn't buy it until you've buffered your collection a bit. Anyways, the Saturn can also be quite affordable. Galactic Attack is a really good Saturn shmup you can pick up for ~$10. Soukyugurentai, Darius Gaiden, Cotton 2, Dodonpachi, Shienryu, Parodius Da! Deluxe Pack, Batsugun... All good to amazing games that can be had for well under $50.

[Alec]

Batsugun... All good to amazing games that can be had for well under $50.

Where can I find Batsugun for well under $50?

[sjewkestheloon]

Seriously pick up a variety of different styles for as cheap as you can to find what you like and then i'd say get one or two games that you think you could put some time into. I would advise you pick up some psikyo verts, maybe strikers and gunbirds and stick in a few hours

[MTH]

Where can I find Batsugun for well under $50?

Nowhere. Batsugun and Dodonpachi for Saturn are still 50$+, not "well under".

[BulletMagnet]

Nah, DDP on Saturn's not quite that high if you shop around a little (closer to 40, in my experience), especially considering it got a re-release. Batsugun's more consistently around 50 or thereabouts, but not much higher, usually.

In any case, both are great games, so even if you pay a bit extra you're at least getting good stuff in exchange.

[Arvandor]

Yeah, Batsugun is the reason I put that $50 tag there, as it was the most expensive game listed, but rarely goes for more than $50 (unless you count those retarded ebay stores). DDP quite frequently goes for $30-$40, and it's an AWESOME game. Quite possibly my second favorite Saturn shooter below *big shocker... prepare yourself* Radiant Silvergun.