Arcade Shmups

[Master O]

I know there's always a lot of talk in these forums about which arcade games are and aren't shmups.

So then, my question is this: what was the first arcade shmup ever created? Is it Space Invaders?

[kengou]

Acording to wikipedia, Spacewar was the first ever but it was a computer game. The first major arcade release was Space Invaders (again, according to the 'pedia)

[shinsage]

It was Captain Jirocho's Galaxybugs.

[BrianC]

Acording to wikipedia, Spacewar was the first ever but it was a computer game. The first major arcade release was Space Invaders (again, according to the 'pedia)

Several games predated Space Invaders in the arcades. I know of at least two shooter arcade games that predated Space Invaders, Computer Space and Space Wars. However, both of those are arcade games are based on that Space War computer game.

[lgb]

Acording to wikipedia, Spacewar was the first ever but it was a computer game. The first major arcade release was Space Invaders (again, according to the 'pedia)

Several games predated Space Invaders in the arcades. I know of at least two shooter arcade games that predated Space Invaders, Computer Space and Space Wars. However, both of those are arcade games are based on that Space War computer game.

I do believe those were alternate names... I need some hard evidence though...

[PC Engine Fan X!]

All three arcade games of Computer Space, Space Wars, and Space Invaders have made an appearance at the California Extreme show at one time...especially Computer Space -- what an interesting looking arcade cabinet for it. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[BrianC]

Acording to wikipedia, Spacewar was the first ever but it was a computer game. The first major arcade release was Space Invaders (again, according to the 'pedia)

Several games predated Space Invaders in the arcades. I know of at least two shooter arcade games that predated Space Invaders, Computer Space and Space Wars. However, both of those are arcade games are based on that Space War computer game.

I do believe those were alternate names... I need some hard evidence though...

Alternate names? More like clones. Hard evidence? There's tons of sites out there with info on those games. Space Wars is listed at KLOV and Computer Space can be looked up at wikipedia and a ton of other sites, including KLOV.

[Turrican]

Yeah, In Space War you shoot - but you also deal with physics. It's more an havok ancestor than a shmup ancestor, imho.

[BrianC]

Yeah, In Space War you shoot - but you also deal with physics. It's more an havok ancestor than a shmup ancestor, imho.

It did help influence games like Asteroids and Gravitar, though. I guess Asteroids is more like an arena shooter and Gravitar isn't a shmup.

[ROBOTRON]

Acording to wikipedia, Spacewar was the first ever but it was a computer game. The first major arcade release was Space Invaders (again, according to the 'pedia)

I thought it was Asteroids...hmmm. I guess Space Wars did come out prior to Space Invaders and Asteroids.

[BrianC]

I thought the first major arcade release (generally speaking) was Pong and the first major imported arcade release in the US was Space Invaders.

[Dandy J]

i think its dodonpachi or raiden