Cheap Shmups to start with?

SinPastel · Post by **SinPastel** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:25 pm

Hey, I was planning on buying some games this Christmas, but don't have tons of cash. I was wondering if anyone knew of some inexpensive titles to start with?

evil_ash_xero · Post by **evil_ash_xero** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:30 pm

What systems?

kengou · Post by **kengou** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:35 pm

MAME is free.

SinPastel · Post by **SinPastel** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:36 pm

Dreamcast, PSX, PS2

The Eidolon · Post by **The Eidolon** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:36 pm

You might try a few classic shmups from different genres to see
what kind of shmups you enjoy. If you are not averse to using
emulation, it's a good way to get a feel for the field and know which
modern shmups you will want to invest in. There are a number of
"best of" lists you can use for ideas, but there's too much variation
in tastes to expect to find a consensus on anything.

If I were getting someone started, I would suggest that he try:
R-Type
Gradius
Twin Cobra
Raiden II
Strikers 1945
1943
Battle Garegga
Layer Section
UN Squadron
Forgotten Worlds
Pulstar/Blazing Star
Donpachi
Batsugun
G Darius
Sinistar
Time Pilot
Truxton

You won't like all of these, but find the few you love and go from there.

themachinist · Post by **themachinist** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:55 pm

If you don't go MAME, I'd say PS2 is the cheapest to get started on. Most of the localized versions can be had for $10-$20 each or even less if you get lucky.

Raiden III
Gradius V
R-Type Final
Castle Shikigami II

evil_ash_xero · Post by **evil_ash_xero** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:00 pm

SinPastel wrote:Dreamcast, PSX, PS2

I don't know exactly how cheap these are, but I don't think they're in the crazy range.

Gradius V
R-Type Delta
G Darius
Einhander

s/m

indstr · Post by **indstr** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:03 pm

And of course, there are the free PC games which the best of them rival the quality of arcade titles...

Go here
http://shootthecore.moonpod.com/

Get these games:

Blue Wish Resurrection
Warning Forever
Flew Fighter

peace

SinPastel · Post by **SinPastel** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:29 pm

How much should I expect to pay for Mars Matrix? I enjoyed that and Giga Wing quite a lot.

Pixel_Outlaw · Post by **Pixel_Outlaw** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:52 pm

SinPastel wrote:How much should I expect to pay for Mars Matrix? I enjoyed that and Giga Wing quite a lot.

Mars Matrix has been in the 60-70 dollar range as of late. I remember seeing it consistently for 20 bucks 2 years ago.

ROBOTRON · Post by **ROBOTRON** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:45 pm

If your just starting out I would suggest one of the "Galaga" type shmups which are available in some form on many consoles.

MX7 · Post by **MX7** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:58 pm

Pixel_Outlaw wrote:
SinPastel wrote:How much should I expect to pay for Mars Matrix? I enjoyed that and Giga Wing quite a lot.
Mars Matrix has been in the 60-70 dollar range as of late. I remember seeing it consistently for 20 bucks 2 years ago.

Really? My girlfriend managed to find me the Japanese version for £15. An awesome gift altogether

Sonic R · Post by **Sonic R** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:10 am

MX7 wrote:
Pixel_Outlaw wrote:
SinPastel wrote:How much should I expect to pay for Mars Matrix? I enjoyed that and Giga Wing quite a lot.
Mars Matrix has been in the 60-70 dollar range as of late. I remember seeing it consistently for 20 bucks 2 years ago.
Really? My girlfriend managed to find me the Japanese version for £15. An awesome gift altogether

The USA version of Mars Matrix is a bit more rare… but I did not know that the price has shot up to those levels! I thought it was around the $40 price (still high) I was lucky to get mine back in 2004 for a mere $11!

Shelcoof · Post by **Shelcoof** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:29 am

Pixel_Outlaw wrote:
SinPastel wrote:How much should I expect to pay for Mars Matrix? I enjoyed that and Giga Wing quite a lot.
Mars Matrix has been in the 60-70 dollar range as of late. I remember seeing it consistently for 20 bucks 2 years ago.

I sold it for 5$ about a year ago brand new almost.
Though I never really liked the game lol so doesn't matter.. okay it sorta does

doctorx0079 · Post by **doctorx0079** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:31 am

Capcom Classics Collection, Capcom Classics Collection 2 and Taito Legends 2, duh. And most every GameStop seems to have Raiden III these days. Gradius V can usually be found on eBay. Also I think The Raiden Project is pretty reasonable, if you can find one. After that you should have a good idea of what your taste in shmups is like and that can guide your future purchases.

SinPastel · Post by **SinPastel** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:14 am

There's a Mars Matrix US version on ebay for $25. I think I'll start with Giga Wing, it's cheap and has a high ranking on this forum. I already have Capcom Classics !, what comes in Tatio 2 and Classics 2?

bsidwell · Post by **bsidwell** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 6:11 am

I found R-Types, the PSX port of R-Type I and II, for about $5 at a pawn shop. They're supposed to be arcade-perfect, or as close as any of the home ports get, and they play just fine on the PS2 as long as you have a PSX memory card.

Mischief Maker · Post by **Mischief Maker** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:56 pm

It's not free, but for the best combination of beginner-friendly and low price, it's hard to beat Fren-Ze.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:57 pm

For SinPastel,

If you do get into the Supergun or candy cab route, you can pick up a Capcom CPS2 Mars Matrix PCB for a mere $50.00+ USD these days. Very cheap to play the original MM version on proper arcade hardware. ^_~

The CPS2 version of MM is a very nice and different experience from the DC port of the same name -- comes complete with the noisy stock CPS2 cooling fan with a typical CPS2 "A & B" board setup (if it hasn't been upgraded to a more quieter fan setup).

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

RackGaki · Post by **RackGaki** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:00 pm

Marx Matrix shot up in price really quick. A year ago I could regularly find it for $30 or less. Every now and again, someone will have it bundled in a Dreamcast lot on craigslist, but other than that, it's too much for my blood.

I'll echo the sentiments for MAME and x.x titles myself. There are more titles available for the PC than anything else, once you count emulators.