I think you're fine there, as most of the stuff that came out on home computers (Commodore, etc.) was highly derivative of the arcade games of the time, so while a few very entertaining games were produced, few of them actually added something worthwhile to the genre. The exception to the rule were Konami's efforts on the MSX computers, but you have covered those elsewhere.BulletMagnet wrote:I'm nowhere near an expert on handheld and computer (i.e. Commodore, PC-98, etc., not "modern" computers) shmups, but I get the feeling I'm giving them a bit of a short shrift...I only mention them in passing in the History segment. Can anyone name any major stuff from this front that I ought to put in here someplace? It obviously shouldn't dominate or anything, but it's a decided gap in my knowledge, and I don't want that to get in the way of objectivity.
I do feel rather uncomfortable having Project X mentioned in the same sentence as Apidya and Space Manbow, though, as it's not even remotely of the same quality as those two. Mentioning it would only make sense if you wanted to draw a connection to its sequel X-2, but I think neither deserves to be in the article, to be honest. I suggest replacing crappy old Project X with better and more original stuff like Andrew Braybrook's Uridium (2), which happens to be a fantastic (and totally unique) game. Or, if you want to include some really wild offshoot from the eight-bit era of homecomputers, you could mention Raffaele Cecco's Cybernoid games, which are the only flip-screen shmups I'm aware of.
Like Rob, I've always been under the impression that Sega developed Fantasy Zone, not Sunsoft.
In the brief part where you explain that Cave paddled back from being over-the-top-hardcore and tried to get more accessible again with ESPGaluda and Mushihimesama, you could mention Mushi's 3 game modes, of which the fittingly titled Original mode is very likely intended to be a tribute to the original Toaplan style. DEL pointed that out to me, and I think it totally makes sense.
It might be worth mentioning that Gradius was named Nemesis here in Europe. Was it the same in the US? It's interesting to note that Konami, confusingly, sticked to the Nemesis name with their MSX-exclusive sequels, as well as the remake for the X68000. Also, Gradius II was called Vulcan Venture, when it was relesed here.
I read the whole piece last night just before bed. Personally ild say Star Sigma belongs in the RPG catagory.
I don't think more should be added. Perhaps in successive, more focused articles.
