Shmup world records that aren't scores

[spadgy]

I need your wise words again everyone.

A friend is charged with handling much of the Gamers Edition of the Guinness book of world records, and I'm looking to help him make the shmups section a bit more creditworthy than in previous years. In looking for some records, they want stuff that isn't just high score based.

For example:

Most expensive PCB
Rarest PCB
Longest standing studio
Most shmups made by one studio
Best selling shmup
First shmup released

What I hoping you can help with is suggesting more possible records categories, and some suggestions on what the actual records might be (links would be great too).

Score stuff is fine too, if it's something like that new Asteroids record.

Thanks!

[Sasupoika]

As for rarest PCB, how about Dodonpachi Campaign version?

[Skykid]

As for rarest PCB, how about Dodonpachi Campaign version?

Was never commercially released though.

Probably still Ketsui - at least it would have fetched the highest prices at it's peak with close to £1k for a bare board.

[spadgy]

As for rarest PCB, how about Dodonpachi Campaign version?

Was never commercially released though.

I'm not sure that matters.

I have a new question now:

Which shmup had the most iterations/ Sequels (Surely Space Invaders?)

[BulletMagnet]

Some cool tidbits to think about, but they'll inevitably re-open the "is xyz a shmup" can of worms...especially the "which was the first shmup released" question.

[spadgy]

Some cool tidbits to think about, but they'll inevitably re-open the "is xyz a shmup" can of worms...especially the "which was the first shmup released" question.

I know - exactly what I fear! Resist my friends!

[PC Engine Fan X!]

In the non-shmup category of arcade PCBs, only three Atari Games produced prototype "Freeze" PCBs are known to exist...I've personally seen/played two of the uber-rare Atari's Freeze upright cabinets at the 1998 California Extreme show in the past.

What's interesting about all three Freeze cabs, is that they've got all the artwork and sideart panels all done. Looks like it was going to be released but cancelled at the last minute for reasons unknown.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[moozooh]

As for rarest PCB, how about Dodonpachi Campaign version?

More than one exists. You'll need something rarer than that, I'm afraid, a unique PCB. It'll likely also be the most expensive.

As for the company that made the most shmups, Cave had about 20 and Konami about 25 (not counting run'n'guns), last I checked. Hard to say about Taito, but it should be in the 20s at least (should also be the longest-standing studio, assuming you are able to define that unambiguously).

First shmup released is Space Invaders. Probably the best-selling one as well.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

It seems like some more new & discovered Atari Games produced prototype arcade game cabinets appear at the once-a-year CAX show...I personally tried out an Atari Games prototype "Die Alien Scum" arcade cab running on modified Atari Jaguar hardware at the 2009 CAX show and it was shown for the 1st time ever. Interesting 3rd-person from behind sci-fi shooting game indeed (kind of like how the classic MD game of Cotton Panorama plays but with really rough polygonal graphics and a less than stellar choppy framerate). I got some high-res JPEGs + Mini DV video footage of it in motion for posterity. Interesting 3rd-person shooting arcade game nevertheless. Didn't even know about this arcade game until I came across it at last year's CAX show. Don't know if it's the only one in existence or not though...but it'd safe to assume so. I'd have to get in contact with the current owner of it to see what the real story of how it came to be and if any more were produced.

In the pinball category, only five known working prototypes of Capcom's uber-rare "Big Bang" pinball machines are known to exist. A couple of them show up every year at the CAX show. And they're aren't for sale at any price indeed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Taylor]

A friend is charged with handling much of the Gamers Edition of the Guinness book of world records, and I'm looking to help him make the shmups section a bit more creditworthy than in previous years. In looking for some records, they want stuff that isn't just high score based.

The whole thing seems like a lost cause. All the entries I've heard from the Gamers Edition have caused nothing but large amounts of eye rolling.

[sven666]

spriggan PCB is a one-off unreleased game that appeared on yahoo a few years ago?

comercially released tho i dont know.

rarest cave PCB: dodonpachi daioujou BL or Ibara kuro maybe?
darius gaiden extra, gradius 2 special version or cyvern plus are all oneoffs that have reached the public too.

first shmup was spacewar.
best selling (and most grossing): space invaders

longest standing studio and most shmups made i would guess konami.

most expensive, no idea, a brand new cave kit retails for JPY~250K, i think thats pretty hard to beat.

[moozooh]

first shmup was spacewar.

Spacewar was the first to be made, but it was never released. There are just too many reasons not to include it in the list.

longest standing studio and most shmups made i would guess konami.

Well, since Taito was first with Space Invaders, and both studios still stand, that would make Taito win by default.

[tearsofash]

A friend is charged with handling much of the Gamers Edition of the Guinness book of world records, and I'm looking to help him make the shmups section a bit more creditworthy than in previous years. In looking for some records, they want stuff that isn't just high score based.

The whole thing seems like a lost cause. All the entries I've heard from the Gamers Edition have caused nothing but large amounts of eye rolling.

Gonna have to agree. Read the 2008 edition during the downtime my old game store retail job, and it was... Yeah.

[EOJ]

In terms of what is the most expensive shmup PCB out there at this very moment, it's Daifukkatsu BL ($1500+).

Rarest Cave PCB is Daifukkatsu BL or DS Mega Black Label. I'd be surprised if they made more than 100 of either.

[dannnnn]

I was watching an episode of Game Center CX in which Arino visits a PCB/arcade shop in Akihabara called G-Front, their most expensive PCB was Gradius ROM version which was on sale for 299,800 yen (approx $3,300).

[Elixir]

In terms of what is the most expensive shmup PCB out there at this very moment, it's Daifukkatsu BL ($1500+).

Rarest Cave PCB is Daifukkatsu BL or DS Mega Black Label. I'd be surprised if they made more than 100 of either.

Aren't you forgetting Futari 1.0?

[EOJ]

Yeah, Futari 1.0 is probably rarer. DFK 1.0 is probably rarer too. I forgot all about the 1.0s.

[sunburstbasser]

If you add some non-PCB games, Magical Chase has sold for absurd amounts on Ebay. Didn't one auction break $1,100 US?

Taito is the longest-lasting shmup company. Space Invaders was 1978. Even if Space War was first, Taito is still around in some form.

[neorichieb1971]

First scrolling shmup I think was Xevious. At least I think I read it was the first shooting game to have scrolling. Spartan X I believe was the first full screen scrolling game but thats not a shmup.

The facts might not be correct, I'm just going on what I read.

Rarest PCB is bound to be a prototype. I wouldn't say Ketsui is that rare when someone posted a pic of 6 or 7 cabs all running it. The American (blue CPS2) of Progear is probably the smallest mass produced released run. According to rumour only 30 were made. I bet almost all of those are still in complete kit form.

If Taito are still a studio I'd say they are the longest standing studio. They just made Raystorm HD and they made the first shmup Space Invaders.

Most expensive PCB (depends on if its bare or kit).. Its whatever is new.. AFAIK older PCBs cost more than their new counterparts. Zak did offer $10,000 for complete kits of ESP Ra.de, Donpachi etc.. But none were found IIRC.

Best selling shmup in recent times is bound to be Ikaruga. I would imagine a Genesis title would hold the world record for a commercially released shmup.