(advise) UN Squadron type SHMUP

classicb · Post by **classicb** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 6:54 pm

What i liked about UN Squadron for the SNES was all the options it gave you to buy weapons and ships and you could choose from different characters. I also liked how you could choose your targets. So are there any other SHMUPs that have some or all of those options in them.

BTW these forums kick ass i can't believe i've never been here before.

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:03 pm

There is an (AFAIK) arcade-only sequel to UN Squadron (aka Area 51), I think it's called "Carrier Airwing."

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

classicb · Post by **classicb** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 8:02 pm

yeah I was just reading about the sequel on this site. I was looking for something on a console if possible (i have most consoles from NES up). It doesn't have to be exactly like UN Squadron but maybe a game that lets you buy different ships and weapons.

thanks for the help

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 8:31 pm

Come to think to it, such level of customization does not happen often.

Choose pilots (that affect gameplay), type of plane (with shop section for tons of weapons), and stages... Honestly, I can't name another one easily.

Zach Keene · Post by **Zach Keene** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 8:54 pm

Tyrian and Raptor (both on the PC) are the only two that come to mind quickly...

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:08 pm

It's a bit of a stretch, but Forgotten Worlds does have some similarities to Area 88/UN Squadron. It has a shop where you can buy weapon and armor upgrades and a life meter. It also has a couple home ports that aren't arcade perfect, but still pretty good. The Genesis port can be found for cheap too. However, Forgotten Worlds is also going to be in that Capcom collection for PS2 and Xbox coming soon.

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:36 pm

Lords of Thunder is about the only one I can think of. No character select, but there is a life bar, and you can pick from a multitude of armor, which determines your weapons.

Dartagnan1083 · Post by **Dartagnan1083** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 12:14 am

Fantasy Zone let you buy weapons and upgrades, but it wasn't always permantent.

You also lost your stuff at death.

classicb · Post by **classicb** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 12:32 am

wow, i guess UN Squadron is really unique. I'll check out some of the recomendations but I guess if I want a UN Squandron type game I'll have to play UN Squadron. Which is one of my favorite shmups so that won't be hard. I'm surprised there isn't some import that uses the UN Squadron formula.

Capt. Takehiko · Post by **Capt. Takehiko** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 12:35 am

Magical Chase for the PCE has mid-level shops. But as previously mentioned, Tyrian would be really what you are looking for. I've never seen a shmup with so many weapons and upgrades available.

D · Post by D » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:48 am

From reading the title and in terms quality;
Progear No Arashi, is the only one that comes to mind.

There are several shmups conform your describtions, but none are up to par to Area 88 & Carrier Airwing in terms of stylish graphics.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:16 am

X-Out on C64/Amiga. Didn't let you choose levels, but there were four different ships and a shitload of weapons. A cool game.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:18 am

Gradius 3 SNES also let you customize your weapons.

And IIRC, you get different attacks depending on the character you choose in the different Parodius-es.

K-J N. · Post by **K-J N.** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:20 am

Marc wrote:X-Out on C64/Amiga. Didn't let you choose levels, but there were four different ships and a shitload of weapons. A cool game.

Was just about to say that. It's an interesting system, the ships you buy acts as your lives so do you want to buy several less expensive ships and equip them with a coupple of weapons thus giving you more lives or do you go for fewer, more expensive and better equiped ships. You could spend it all on just one ship but if you loose it it's game over. Also because you pay with your score, spend to much and you wont be able to make the hi-score list.

Another C64 game with a fun shopping system is Retrograde. Your guy has 16 weapon slots around him, each weapon can be equiped in several of the different positions. Each weapon requires a certain amount of Equipment Points to use so do you go for many weaker weapons that wont require many EP of fewer stronger ones? Do you want to want to have as big spread on your weapon fire as possible or do you consentrate on one direction? Also every weapon can be upgraded several times for increased strenght.

Marc · Post by **Marc** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 4:17 pm

Goddamn, just seeing the X-Out screen shot was enough to bring a tear to my jaded little eyes...

Time to go home and dig out some C64 goodness I think...

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 2:16 am

Welcome to the forum Classicb!

UN Squadron does have some pretty awesome weapons; I guess I just got too frustrated with that ceiling boss-I wish you could use EVERY plane in the game to complete it.

I may have to look into the C-64 at some point; X-Out looks awesome, and I've read that the C64 STILL stands as the #1 selling home computer ever. Amazing!

gs68 · Post by **gs68** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:19 am

Ever played Tyrian 2000? It takes the whole weapon- and ship-purchasing system to whole new levels.

Cthulhu · Post by **Cthulhu** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:27 am

Tyrian 2000 is an easy recommendation because it's freeware now. Go get it, you can't lose anything more than a few mins (seconds if you have broadband) downloading it.

The arcade version of UN Squadron is less customization-intensive than the SNES version actually. Other shmups with shops that haven't been mentioned yet include Ordyne (TG16, arcade), Macross 2036 (PCE SCD), and Mr. Heli (PCE). (Gee, can you tell I like the TG16/PCE?

)

it290 · Post by **it290** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:56 am

Didn't Disposable Hero have some type of shop thing? And also Xenon 2 IIRC.

classicb · Post by **classicb** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:44 am

wow, thanks for all the recomendations. I've made it into a list that i'll try to work through when i'm looking for something new to play.

Berty · Post by **Berty** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 6:05 am

How about Raptor for the PC? you cant choose levels but it does give plenty of power-up options.