Most popular mainstream shmup...

[spadgy]

I was told today 1941 is the most downloaded shmup ROM, which seemed odd to me. I wonder why that is (if it's true).

That got me to thinking - what's the most popular shmup to the mainstream player who isn't a shmup-nerd like us. Maybe I mean the most famous I guess?

What shmup do you use as an example to explain what you're into to mates unsure of what 'shmup' means?

[Udderdude]

Ikaruga is the one that got the most exposure recently. Internet nerds generally know about Touhou. That's about it. Some people might know about the classics .. but probabally don't remember their names. People I've talked to know the genre, but can't name names .. just "I played a game like that years ago", etc. Nobody I've ever met has even known who Cave is. Or what Dodonpachi is.

[moozooh]

Hmm… I guess I'd name Gradius, R-Type, Ikaruga, Jets'n'Guns… One of them must ring a bell. 1941 & 1942 might work, too.

[Super Laydock]

What shmup do you use as an example to explain what you're into to mates unsure of what 'shmup' means?

Basically: R-type and Gradius. Example for the vertical ones: 1942 (which was in a cab nearby and thus most people recognize).

People of the same age as me know stuff like Xenon II, Xevious and Zanac though...

Not that I have to explain much. Most of them know that I am into these "obscure" games...

[Ozymandiaz1260]

Everyone knows Gradius and Raiden.

[ROBOTRON]

I'd say Raiden is the most popular name you see/hear. Then maybe:

Gradius
R-Type
etc.

but 1941? syntax error.

[antron]

Everyone knows Gradius and Raiden.

It's funny, I had never even heard of Riden until I found this site.

I knew Gradius very well.

[moozooh]

I guess one could name Space Invaders, Galaxian and Galaga, but they will most definitely be greatly misunderstood. :P

[Kiken]

Life Force

[Ed Oscuro]

I was told today 1941 is the most downloaded shmup ROM

From where?

Also, it's at the top of the list alphabetically ;)

[Augemitbutter]

I was told today 1941 is the most downloaded shmup ROM, which seemed odd to me. I wonder why that is (if it's true).

maybe its the most popular in asia (excluding japan).

personally, id go for gradius and r-type. almost every non newbie gamer heard about or played one of these.

[jpj]

trick question

[Mortificator]

I was told today 1941 is the most downloaded shmup ROM, which seemed odd to me. I wonder why that is (if it's true).

I doubt you can say one shooter is the most downloaded with any veracity. Some rom sites have download counters for each game, yeah, but there are tons of rom sites, and many more that no longer exit. There're also plenty of other download sources, like file sharing networks, IRC, Usenet, one-click hosters... it would be almost impossible to catalog them all, and I don't think anyone's insane enough to have tried.

Checking just one rom site, I see the most downloaded shooter is Aero Fighters 3. Seventeen thousand fryers can't be wrong!

I have a sneaking suspecion that your friend is just a dumbass. "1941 is listed first in this alphabetically ordered list? It must be the most popular!"

[spadgy]

I was told today 1941 is the most downloaded shmup ROM, which seemed odd to me. I wonder why that is (if it's true).

I doubt you can say one shooter is the most downloaded with any veracity. Some rom sites have download counters for each game, yeah, but there are tons of rom sites, and many more that no longer exit. There're also plenty of other download sources, like file sharing networks, IRC, Usenet, one-click hosters... it would be almost impossible to catalog them all, and I don't think anyone's insane enough to have tried.

Checking just one rom site, I see the most downloaded shooter is Aero Fighters 3. Seventeen thousand fryers can't be wrong!

I have a sneaking suspecion that your friend is just a dumbass.

Yeah - you might be right. Most of my friends are dumbasses! God knows where they got it from.

I usually explain with Gradius or R-type, and guessed they would be the most suggested, but most of my mates who are into newfangled electronic music usually know Xenon 2, thanks to the status of the soundtrack...

I assume Ikaruga's the most famous one,but loads of people I play games with are still oblivious...

[RyanDG]

Outside of the obvious Space Invaders/Galaga choice, more than likely Gradius.

[Ozymandiaz1260]

I assume Ikaruga's the most famous one,but loads of people I play games with are still oblivious...

There is absolutely no way that more people know about Ikaruga than Gradius.

[Ceph]

I think that more people know R-Type than Gradius.

[Ed Oscuro]

haha spadgy's friend looks in the phone book to find the most popular people

"wait this isn't a person, this is a business"

[Dale]

Galaga or Raiden2, maybe Centipede. This is from what I've seen in my local surrounding's, other people might have noticed different stuff.

[doctorx0079]

There is no way any shmup is better known than Galaga or Space Invaders. I mean they are like Pac-Man for goodness sake.

[Ruldra]

I think the most well-known shmup is R-Type. Either that or Galaga.

I know quite many people who are into games and never heard of Gradius.

[Koa Zo]

I think the most well-known shmup is R-Type. Either that or Galaga.

I know quite many people who are into games and never heard of Gradius.

qft

[Leandro]

I know what site he was talking about, 1941 is the most downloaded shmup there, slightly above Raiden 2

About the topic, well, I think it depends on where you live, and what time period... I remember the Snes version of Sonic Wings being really popular around the 16-bit days

[Sinneslöschen]

Space Invaders and R-Type. Outside the arcades: Most C64 owners will remember Katakis.
I do not think "newer" shmups get too much attention; maybe Ikaruga due to the dreamcast fanbase and the xbox live version.

[DefaultGen]

I assume Ikaruga's the most famous one,but loads of people I play games with are still oblivious...

There is absolutely no way that more people know about Ikaruga than Gradius.

I'm in college right now, which I realize is far from the whole universe, but when I mention shooters to anyone, the first thing they think is Halo 3 but once I explain i'm talking about shmups, Ikaruga is usually what comes up. It's the only shmup just about anyone I know has played without my prodding.

[Sycada]

hey, I'm a lurker but figured I'd post every once in a while.

All my friends who even play games at all usually will recognise R-type, Gradius or Ikaruga as many of you have said. But never Cave or the like.
I work in games and not even there have they ever heard of Cave. Even the only other person I work with who is a shmupper had to be introduced to the danmaku genre.

[evil_ash_xero]

The only one that tends to ring a bell with most people I know is Space Invaders.

In terms of scrolling shmups, R-Type probably.

s/m

[spadgy]

I assume Ikaruga's the most famous one,but loads of people I play games with are still oblivious...

There is absolutely no way that more people know about Ikaruga than Gradius.

Sorry - should have said the most famous modern shmup...

You're quite right.

Like Sycada I'm surprised by the lack of knowledge in the industry. Respect should go to Heavenly Sword's developer Ninja Theory- they have a tasty cab (I think it was an Egret II if I remember rightly) running Cave stuff in their office... and the Geo Wars Wii/DS devs I spoke to sure new their stuff.. thank god

[ROBOTRON]

There is no way any shmup is better known than Galaga or Space Invaders. I mean they are like Pac-Man for goodness sake.

Depends on how old you are. My 12 year old nephew had never heard of either...he has heard of Raiden though and R-Type.

[doodude]

I tried to explain 'Shmups' & how intricate the games could be to some of the guys at work & they instantly started talking about Pac-Man, Galaga & Asteroids for heavens sake.

I just didnt try anymore cuz they just wouldnt understand.

I have considered making a CD of Shmup play as from SuperPlay or from Youtube just to show them "this aint your daddy's game play!"

By the way, can you record stuff from You Tube? Id like to show them just a couple of minutes of a lot of different games...