Sky Force Reloaded on Android - Trackball controls

[Dan Fury]

Hi everyone,
I'm a long time lurker here for strategies and game recommendations, but now I got something to share and would like your feedback about it.
I review Android games for my site and today I've written a review of Sky Force Reloaded. It is the first game that utilizes the trackball in this genre on the plattform. What I want to know from you guys, is what do you think about Trackball controls? I wouldn't have imagined it to be so great for me, I'm usually very picky when it comes to shmups and controls, I couldn't enjoy them with a bad D-Pad on Xbox or touch controls, but I haven't played Espgaluda II Iphone yet, maybe it's better there.
Does anyone of you own a Nexus One or a trackball device? If so, what do you think of it for shmups? It's easy for me to get exited about great games on Android, that's why I want unbiased opinions from people, that know what they are talking about when it comes to shmups. Do you think this input method has potential for future games, not just on mobile devices but generally?

You can find my article with a 10 min. playthrough of the first three levels (my score was bad, it was just to show off the game, that's why I didn't finish the second boss, but even if I tried, I'm pretty sure I couldn't beat half of you guys), a N73/N1 dualplay comparison and a control method overview here:
http://androidpimps.com/games/sky-force-reloaded/

Now all I wish for is a port of Espgaluda II with trackball support, just the thought of it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling about the future of mobile shmups.
What do you think?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I think if Apple were to release a proper mini joystick (like with how it is with the minature joystick featured on the Neo-Geo Pocket B&W & Color handheld portable gaming systems) or D-pad controller option, it'd give the hard-core shmuppers a proper way to play 'em shmup titles on the iPhone/iTouch instead of using the touch screen method. Using a trackball for playing shmups on portable devices isn't the proper way to go. Now if games that originally utilized trackballs in the arcades were developed for them, then it'd be ace.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Dan Fury]

If the trackball controls are done right, I think every shmup does profit from it.
The difference between trackball controls and stick controls in Sky Force Reloaded can be seen pretty good at the 1 minute mark in my N73 comparison video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUeZDJj54D8

You are way faster and gain precision, but your reach is restricted, because you have to lift your thumb to continue in the same direction, that's when touch comes into play and it supplements these controls perfectly.

If the speed is increased, you get very precise and responsive control. Of course it changes the dynamic of the game completely and you cannot compare scores to other plattforms, but you have a satisfiying shmup experience on a mobile. I doubt I could control it better with a 50" HDTV and the best arcade sticks.

[nem]

Centipede, anyone?

Analog controls get glossed over a lot because analog joysticks haven't really worked in past shmup titles (admittedly, a lot of this is down to design, most of these games were made for arcades and therefore digital controls). I find trackballs are a whole lot more precise compared to analog joysticks, though. Try laying down walls in Rampart with a joystick, or playing Marble Madness. Trackballs could definitely work with shmups.

One thing I've wondered about recently, where the heck are the shmups that use spinners? Playing Arkanoid with digital controls sucks, and the level of precision in Arkanoid is exactly the kind you need in a gallery shmup.

[Evrain]

Sky Force... oh boy I'm about to cry. I've spent hours back in the day with the game running on my 6600.

It feels all the better to blast enemies off the skies whilst pretending to study Dante (the boring one, not the dual-wielding half-demon)

[Slump]

Sky Force... oh boy I'm about to cry. I've spent hours back in the day with the game running on my 6600.

It feels all the better to blast enemies off the skies whilst pretending to study Dante (the interesting one, not the dual-wielding half-demon)

Fixed...

[DJ Incompetent]

I always wanted to try a modern STG with a giant arcade trackball. People keep whining about 360 Game Room Centipede being unplayable without a trackball. It got me wondering if trackball would actually be better than arcade stick for bullet hells.