194X series

[dpful]

as long as it has good blow-up mechanics, I'm good

[evil_ash_xero]

I'm a Raizing fan, but I thought 1944 was crap. Too long, and too uninteresting. It was like a really pretty version of the first two, which I didn't like at all. 1941 and 19xx were both very solid shooters. I wouldn't call them best in class, but they are both worth owning if you're a shooter fan. Especially 19xx, since it looks and feels more modern.

s/m

[MikeB]

I'm a Raizing fanboy too, as well as loving the 194X series since its inception, which made 1944 doubly disappointing for me. Still.. the fact it's been acclaimed in RG might at least mean I can ebay it for a decent amount

[yojo!]

I voted 1942. good old fun shooter. No gimmick, no rank, no stupid time based weapons; just dodge and survive.

[DarkMoon]

cool read, thanks for sharing.

[Iori Branford]

41 and XX.

Health works in 41 because it's the same as lives -- maybe not psychologically, but technically. See also ESP Ra.De.