Simple Question: What's your favorite shmup/company?

[gamingjustin]

Yeah, so, what's your favorite shmup? ... or company that makes shmups? ... or favorite system FOR shmups?

Pretty much your favorite "anything" having to do with shmups and most importantly... WHY?

If enough people post, this can be a kinda neat topic and a good learning experience for some.

Thanks for contributing...

*****EDIT*****

Gee... I made the topic but didn't even say my favorites! So, here I go.

Favorite shmup (one I have most fun with): Space Megaforce/Super Aleste
--Why? Well, I really enjoy how the different difficulties aren't just "more bullets" or "faster enemies." It's usually a combination of both, or slower bullets... or something that will force me to change my playing style and use different weapons.

Most appreciated shmup (one that shows some originality): Ikaruga
--Why? It seems like the only shmup that can truly be mastered. It takes lots of repetition and training... but if you're good you can get huge chains, and really feel like you accomplished something. (It's tough.. my highest chain was 29 I think... )

Best Company:Compile
--Why? They really cranked out those shmups on the MSX. Guardic, Zanac, Aleste 2. Guardic offered very non-linear play, and the zanac/aleste series had gobs of weapons!

Best Platform (from personal experience): Super Nintendo
--Why? Uh... because my Saturn can't play imports, and I don't have a Dreamcast... But seriously, I have Space Megaforce, R-Type III, Axelay, Gradius III (better than the arcade version), and a couple of descent Darius games. So, I think it's an ok handfull of shmups.

[SheSaidDutch]

My favourite shmup atm is Gradius Gaiden

It incorperated idea's/gameplay methods that previous Gradius never had or have since (well apart from IV but I haven't played it)

My favourite shmup series is Gradius

Sure their all very similar but there's enough different ideas e.g Gradius 2 selectable powers etc to make a single Gradius game stand out.

Favourite company for shmups=Konami

Irem is a close second and Seibu Kaihatsu is in third place, but as a series Gradius atleast to me stands out.

shump system of choice= PSX

Mostly for it's arcade conversions and exclusives

[Tony Gradius]

Ah! thanks for those never-seen-before topic!

IREM!

errr,

KONAMI!

ahem,

SEIBU!

*cough*

RAIZING!

well...PS2....obviously it hosts the most and best....

Gradius V.....
.........

[Bishamon]

Favorite shmup... hmmm.... probably Raiden Fighters Jet currently.

Favorite company - Seibu, with Raizing in second place

Favorite system - PCB, but if we're talking consoles, then Saturn, hands down.

[ROBOTRON]

COMPILE
Technosoft
Konami
Irem
Treasure
Raizing

SATURN
SNES
NES
Genesis
Neo-Geo
PS2/PS1

Zanac Neo
Radiant Silvergun
Thunderforce Series
Axelay
Gradius Series
Viewpoint
Soukugerentai

[dave4shmups]

Favorite shmup: GG Aleste

Favorite shmup developer (even though they aren't around anymore! ) Compile

[Marc]

Shmup: dunno, changes with my mood. One of R-Type/DoDonPachi/Giga Wing 2 prolly

Developer: Cave. Their games just do it for me.


System: Saturn. Even though mine is long gone Or DC.

[bVork]

Well, this is my first post, so hi. Thought it would be an appropriate introduction to tell you all about my favourite shmups etc.

Favourite shmups:
#1. Tempest (Unique graphics, simple yet surprisingly deep gameplay, a continue system that all but prevents credit feeding, and the smoothest control ever makes this proto-shmup the game I'd want on a desert island. I could play it forever.)
#2. The Guardian Legend (Classic Compile shmup gameplay meets Zelda-style exploration? SIGN ME UP!)
#3. Zanac (The aggression system means you can't memorize much of it, and also encourages careful aiming)
#4. Recca (Whoa, this is a famicom game?! Fast, fast, FAST game with great bosses. And I'm finally getting the real cartridge in the mail! WOOHOO!)
#5. Robotron (Pure twitch gameplay. Frantic and fun.)

Honourable mention: M.U.S.H.A. (Great graphics, great music, and great gameplay. 'Nuff said)

Favourite companies:
#1. Compile (rather obvious from the games in the above list, eh?)
#2. Williams (only one game on my top favourites list, but Sinistar, Smash TV, Defender, and Stargate are all great games)
#3. Naxat (Recca is fantastic, but their other shmups, mostly on PCE, are also fun)
#4. Konami (Gradius, Xexex, Axelay, Life Force, Salamander, Twinbee, Parodius, etc, etc, etc...)
#5. Treasure (Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga, Gunstar Heroes, and lots of great non-shmup games.)

Honourable mention: Atari (Tempest and its updates, Centipede, and Millipede are all great proto-shmups. Only problem is that none of these games use 'conventional' control, so emulation is a poor option at best)

Favourite consoles:
#1. NES (Best. System. Ever. 3 out of 5 of my favourites are on it, and there are lots of other fantastic games, both shmup and non-shmup.)
#2. Saturn (Dodonpachi, Radiant Silvergun, Soukyugurentai, Gradius, Parodius, Salamander, Tempest 2000... need I continue?)
#3. Dreamcast (Ikaruga, Mars Matrix, Gunbird 2, Psyvariar 2, and it STILL has the occasional shmup release! Not bad for a system that has been discontinued for 3 years.)

Honourable Mention: PC Engine (You could bury yourself in the shmups made for this system. None of them grabbed me as much as the ones on the systems above, however.)

[kid aphex]

Treasure is that absolute best at what they do. Their late 80's cyber-punkesque aesthetics make me hard.

[neorichieb1971]

Favourite company is probably Psikyo.

Favourite shmup is probably ESP ra.de/Dragon Blaze

Favourite system PS1.


Mind I don't own everything out there and have no ambition to buy everything either. So my choices are restricted by experience.

[Shatterhand]

Favourite Company:
Compile

I've been a big fan of them since the MSX, I think they used to make awesome games, not only shmups, and their shmups are the best ever. I am a big, big fan of them, I remember when the news that they were closing was on internet, a "gaming friend" of mine even came to me and said "I'm sorry man" or something like that.

My fav system for shmups is the Sega Saturn right now. PC-Engine and MSX are the runner ups.

And for fav shmup.. it gotta be either Aleste 2 or Zanac Neo

[SteevTee]

Hello all. I have returned after a long while.

Fave shmups:
Tempest 2000* (Jaguar, and in my opinion better than PS1 Tempest X3)
Xenon 2 (First shooter I ever really played to death)
R-Type series
Gradius V (Only played lifeforce before this)
Warning Forever

Fave Shmup companies:
Llamasoft (for psychedelic shooter like: T2k, Llamatron etc.)
Irem

System of choice:
PS2 (including the old PS1 games like R-Types/Delta
and PC for those lovely ABA games...

*Does this game count in this forum?

[Raidenfighter Kirkov]

There can only be one king:

SEIBU KAIHATSU



Of course CAVE is also brilliant.

Greetings
RFK

[Zweihander]

PS2: EspGaluda
2nd: Mushihime-sama
3rd: Gradius V

PSX: Einhander
2nd: G-Darius
3rd: ThunderForce V

SNES: R-Type III: The Third Lightning
2nd: Darius Twin
3rd: Gradius III

Megadrive: Bio Hazard Battle
2nd: ThunderForce IV
3rd: Gunstar Heroes

GB: Solar Striker
2nd: Nemesis
3rd: Battle Unit Zeoth

GBA: Iridion II
2nd: Gradius Galaxies
3rd: Phalanx

DS: Nanostray

DC: Ikaruga
2nd: Bangaioh
3rd: Shikigami no Shiro II

NES: Dragon Spirit
2nd: LifeForce
3rd: 1943

Game Gear: Super Space Invaders (haven't had the privelege of playing Aleste GG... ~_~)

as for companies, i'd have to say Cave, Treasure, & Konami.

[Ganelon]

Favorite shmup (one I have most fun with): Gaiares
--Difficult but fair. Varied stages. The weapon absorption system was incredibly innovative for its time (and stolen by Einhander). Excellent music. Simple game system.

Most appreciated shmup (one that shows some originality): Ikaruga
--Why? I don't appreciate it since simplicity is my game but it definitely reeks of originality...

Best Company: Tecno Soft
--Why? They make some of the simplest yet most solid horizontal shooters. And they always have great music.

Best Platform (from personal experience): PS2
--Why? It combines the best in quality and quantity for shooters with a broad range of great exclusive titles and non-exclusive ports.

[PsikyoPshumpPshooterP]

Favorite Shmup:Strikers 1945 part 2

Favorite Company:Cave

Favorite console:XBOX for mame.

[BrianC]

Favorite Shmups:
Thunder Force IV/Lightning Force
Thunder Force III
Pop 'n Twinbee
Detana Twinbee
Zanac
The Guardian Legend
Blazing Lazers
GG Aleste
Gradius Gaiden
Gradius V
Nemesis
Life Force NES
Fire Shark
Truxton
Forgotten Worlds
1943
UN Squadron

Favorite Shmup Companies:
Compile
Konami
Technosoft
Toaplan
Capcom

Favorite Shmup Consoles:
NES
Genesis
PSX
TG-16

[Skyline]

Games: (these change periodically)
Gradius V, IV
Gigawing
Mars Matrix
R-Type Leo
Mushihimesama
Truxton II
19XX
Raiden DX
Blazing Star
Raystorm
Trizeal

Consoles:
PS2, PS1
DC
NeoGeo MVS
Saturn

Companies:
Takumi
Cave
Triangle Service
Seibu
Aicom/Yumekobo

[professor ganson]

Game: Zanac Neo followed by Shiki II

Developer: Psikyo followed by Compile

System: Jap. PS2 (+PS1) followed by Saturn and DC

[Ord]

Favourite shmup? That's just too hard for me. A toss up between Guwange, Ibara, Dodonpachi, Espgaluda, Battle Garegga, Batrider.....Nah it's too hard to choose just one. All those games have incredible design, style and gameplay.
Favourite developer, is a lot easier. Cave all the way, followed VERY, VERY closely by Raizing/8ing, with Treasure comming in third.
Cave just keep on perfecting the shooting game and keep producing exceptional games, that are all each a masterpiece.
Raizing/8ing produced shooters that had an immense scoring system, with incredibly deep gameplay. Their gritty industrialised shooters (Battle Garegga/Bakraid & Batrider) are particular stand out favourites of mine.
Treasure, just have incredible bosses and Gradius V was a breath of fresh air.
My preffered choice for playing shmups would be on my arcade cabs, but if it's consoles then it would probably be the PS2, followed closely by the Saturn and DC.

[uwfan]

DoDonpachi.
Cave.

[I like to keep my posts simple. ]

[DC906270]

I have just received Batsugun (Toaplan) and Dodonpachi (Cave) for my Saturn, and so these are my two faves at the mo. Although i still rate Battle Garegga as one of my faves. So these three are the ones that get the most play time from me.

Favourite developer.... well, from back in the day it was Toaplan. But then i discovered 32-bit/64-bit shooters within the last year or two... and Toaplan games now seem a tad basic/ although still very tough!! Just a different style i suppose.

Also, i don't like Dodonpachi's music. Sounds like a PC Engine CD game, all long-hair guitar rock. I like my shmupping music to be EPIC

[RoninBuddha]

company: CAVE
Shmups: (tie) ESP Ra.De. & Guwange
Platform: None really, cuz my faves are'nt ported, so i choose, PCB's!

[landshark]

Psikyo

Strikers 1999