Which console should I start buying shmups for first?

[xghostsniperx]

Hey guys--

I'm pretty new to the shmup genre. I've found what I like in shmups and I have an decent arcade stick with a few converters.

I'm currently 18 and a senior in high school, so money is tight. I'm worried that by the time I finish college, a lot of the shmups I want will be incredibly expensive or just very rare.

So currently, I have a Saturn, a Dreamcast, and a PS2.. Which would you guys suggest starting to collect for first?

[Ghegs]

The Board FAQ has some nice listings for all the systems. My advice would be to check those, read up on them a bit, decide which games you want and go from there. All three of your systems have plenty of good shmups which can keep you busy for years. PS2, DC and Saturn are sometimes called "The Holy Triumvirate of Shmups", and for a good reason.

That said, PS2 might be the cheapest to start with. Out of the three, that one has the most shmups available. Many of those are included in collections (Taito Memories, Capcom Classics Collection...) or available as re-releases which should make it easier on your wallet.

Also, you will most likely have to do some importing. If any of your systems are capable of playing JPN-region games, that's a good place to start as well.

[xghostsniperx]

Yea, I'm quite familiar with each console's library. I think I should have phrased my question better though.

I'm mostly asking which console will have the shmups that will cost me the most in the future, as I'd rather pick up the majority of the shmups from that console then.

[Ghegs]

I'm mostly asking which console will have the shmups that will cost me the most in the future, as I'd rather pick up the majority of the shmups from that console then.

Well, that's hard to tell. Something that's expensive now (Radiant Silvergun, for example) might get a re-release or a port or be included in a collection few years down the road. And vice versa, something that's cheap and readily available now (ESPGaluda) might be hard to track down eventually.

In any case, just get the games you want to play. No point in buying games just for the sake of them being cheap/expensive now/in the future, right?

[lawnspic]

I would start with the Saturn first, because you will have to deal with games like Radiant Silvergun, Sengoku ace, Batsugun, Soukyugurentai, Battle Garegga. Those games already have a steep price. Then i would go to Dreamcast, Ps2, lastly Ps1.

[gavin19]

As you mentioned, money is tight. Therefore the old idiom, try before you buy, applies even more so. A lot of shmups ported to Saturn/DC and some ported to PS2 are available to play via Mame, albeit in their 'raw' arcade forms. By using Mame I was able to narrow down the shmups that I liked to play considerably, and thus save a lot of money in the process.
In addition, a games' cost/rarity doesn't always equal quality, or that you will have the slightest bit of fun playing it.
Downloading roms is generally frowned upon, but a lot of people would accept the desire to test games before purchase if possible. Only the more modern shmups will not be emulated, though pre-2001 most are playable to a perfect or near-perfect state.
As far as picking just one console, there isn't much point. Just pick a handful of the best for each and get stuck in! Good luck..

[Ganelon]

It's sort of silly to start with expensive shooters, esp. if you have little interest in the games themselves and are on a tight budget. You realize that in the last 5 years, shooters have in almost all cases only gone down in price rather than up? Don't think of collecting; think of getting games that you know you want to play and enjoy.

[Ed Oscuro]

It's sort of silly to start with expensive shooters, esp. if you have little interest in the games themselves

I feel sorry for anybody this describes. Buying games you don't want to play...what fun!

Oh yeah. Genesis all the way.

[iatneH]

Oh yeah. Genesis all the way.

Funny you recommend that. I just moved into my dorm at the beginning of this week, and of the 15 or so game consoles I have, the only thing I brought was my Genesis :) Good stuff!

The games certainly have a very old-school flavour that may not appeal to your particular tastes, but the majority of the shooters (some good ones even) are dirt cheap, you could buy a bag of them for $20.

[scrilla4rella]

Mega Drive
Mega Drive
Mega Drive

-

pc-engine?

[NTSC-J]

I would start with the Saturn first, because you will have to deal with games like Radiant Silvergun, Sengoku ace, Batsugun, Soukyugurentai, Battle Garegga. Those games already have a steep price. Then i would go to Dreamcast, Ps2, lastly Ps1.

I would do Saturn last, to be honest. Prices have been dropping for nearly everything the past couple years and in most cases will likely continue to go down. Sengoku Blade (I think this is what you meant, since Ace isn't on Saturn) is at an all-time low now, for example. PCE, MD, and especially Neo Geo stuff is also dropping.

PS1 and DC you've already missed the boat on. Ikaruga is starting to climb a little, with Border Down starting to catch up to Radiant Silvergun in price. Even Trizeal and Bangai-O (JP) are asking for a lot. PS1 stuff is high and sort of staying there, at least for now. Harmful Park is going to be triple digits for a long time.

The only system you can get in while the gettin's good is PS2. The Cave games, compilation packs, and stuff like Homura and Radirgy are all at the original sale price but with the system getting retired soon you should make your move there now.

PCBs are another area where you kind of missed out on getting the good deals. The days of Guwange for $75 and Ketsui for $300 are long gone.

[Lawfer]

I would do Saturn last, to be honest. Prices have been dropping for nearly everything the past couple years and in most cases will likely continue to go down. Sengoku Blade (I think this is what you meant, since Ace isn't on Saturn) is at an all-time low now, for example. PCE stuff is also dropping.

So if I am planning on getting some PCE stuff, should I start doing it now or wait a little bit more?

PS1 and DC you've already missed the boat on. Ikaruga is starting to climb a little, with Border Down starting to catch up to Radiant Silvergun in price. Even Trizeal and Bangai-O (JP) are asking for a lot. PS1 stuff is high and sort of staying there, at least for now. Harmful Park is going to be triple digits for a long time.

Why is Bangai-O expensive? I mean the game is easily available in Europe and I guess not so hard to find in the US.

The only system you can get in while the gettin's good is PS2. The Cave games, compilation packs, and stuff like Homura and Radirgy are all at the original sale price but with the system getting retired soon you should make your move there now.

Definitly getting on that wagon in the upcomming week.

[NTSC-J]

I'd keep waiting on PCE stuff if I were you. The high-priced shooters like Rayxanber, Nexzr, and Spriggan will probably not change much in price but they're already real expensive, so might as well wait. No use in buying high. However, Soldier Blade and Star Parodier are at the lowest they've been in ages, and I bet we'll see Dracula X ported to something in the next few years.

Bangai-O PAL and US are cheap and easy to get, but JP is up to $80+ at the moment. I know the print run was only 10k in the States, I wouldn't be surprised if it was even lower in Japan which would account for the high price. The cheapest shooters on DC are probably the Takumi shooters, but those are slowly going up, at least domestically. If you see Giga Wing 2 or Mars Matrix at a good price (sub-$30 or so), it might be a good idea to grab those as well.

Now would be a good time to get Sin and Punishment too, it's quite low now. Bangai-O N64 is also going down, come to think of it. They might get put on the Wii's downloading service at some point, so maybe keep that in mind.

[Batman34]

I should begin with the almighty Dreamcast.

1. Ikaruga (GameCube version is better)
2. Under Defeat
3. Border Down
4. Shikigami No Shiro 2
5. Psyvariar 2

Second I should begin with the Saturn.

1. Radiant Silvergun
2. Soukyugerentai
3. Thunder Force V
4. Rayforce
5. Battle Garegga

And the Megadrive and the Mega CD.

1. MUSHA Aleste
2. Hellfire (very difficult):evil:
3. Mega Swiv
4. Thunder Force IV
5. Elinimate Down
6. Gley Lancer
7. Zero Wing
8. Raiden Trad
9. Thunder Force III
10. Thunder Force II

Mega CD

1. Robo Aleste

And the Powerful Neo Geo AES for the hardcore gamers.

1. Pulstar
2. Blazing Star
3. Last Resort

[EOJ]

I should begin with the almighty Dreamcast.

1. Ikaruga (GameCube version is better)

lol

[Ceph]

1. Ikaruga (GameCube version is better)

No. The DC version is arcade perfect.

[lawnspic]

that GC version is getting pricey, Ika is a naomi game so its only natural for the DC game to be as close to the arcade. people say the GC is better because of less slowdown, that might be true given the GC is more powerful hardware but i think the DC version is the better version

dont flame me for saying the GC being more powerful harware because its true, i dont think RE4 could ever hold up on a DC. naomi ports will always be a hit on its native hardware though

[Batman34]

Ikaruga on the GameCube plays faster the Dreamcast have little slow downs.

I play 17 years shmups games and the only difficult is Hellfire on the Megadrive.

The best shmup game I played is Salamander 2 Arcade.

[KBZ]

Ikaruga on the GameCube plays faster the Dreamcast have little slow downs.

that's because there is slowdown on Naomi.

[shariar07]

If you get your PS2 modded you could play import shmups for both PSX and PS2. You would get the most amount of shmups if you spend a little on PS2. Then you would be up to date with all of the CAVE shmups and other great ones on PSX and PS2. Hence PS2 is the console of choice for current generation shmups.

[lawnspic]

If you get your PS2 modded you could play import shmups for both PSX and PS2. You would get the most amount of shmups if you spend a little on PS2. Then you would be up to date with all of the CAVE shmups and other great ones on PSX and PS2. Hence PS2 is the console of choice for current generation shmups.

i would have to diasagree, i like them all and the DC i think has a slight edge in that dept. as far as must have shooters in that league. i would go for the sat, many good games there

[NTSC-J]

I'd keep waiting on PCE stuff if I were you...I bet we'll see Dracula X ported to something in the next few years.

To those that doubted my nostradomabilities...

[iatneH]

Nice one Kaneda! Now what can you tell me about a Progear port? I have the CPS-2 board already, but it's just so huge and loud...

edit: V V V ROFL.

[NTSC-J]

Hm...I'm getting something...I see...Progear running flawlessly on...my computer...wait, that's right now, I have MAME fired up...hmmm...Cave boards selling at an all time high...sell, sell, sell...

[Damocles]

If you're collecting...well...don't. If you're trying to bargin hunt, go for the PS1/PS2. There are many cheap games available.