-Genesis Shooters-

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:15 pm

Alright, I just wanted to have a little thread for Genesis/Mega Drive shooters that you guys played, wanted more info on or just wanted to talk about. I think i have a pretty healthy collection of the Genesis shooters, at least the domestic stuff. Although I would love to own a copy of Eliminate Down and Gley Lancer. I like what I have to choose from on this system, but then again I LOVE the Genesis and think it is one of the best systems ever released. Anyway, lately I have been playing a lot of Steel Empire lately, which I love to death, soem Lightening Force and aome Atomic Robo Kid. I think I am gonna play some Insector X here soon hahahah. Actually I heard there was an arcade version of Insector, was it radically different? AND I saw a copy of Space Invaders 91' at the game shoppe close by, is that any good? Oh and I am getting a freaking copy of Alien Soldier finally hahaha. that game owns my a$$....

-GIANT SQUID-

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:26 pm

GIANT SQUID wrote:, soem Lightening Force and aome Atomic Robo Kid.

Man, you pounded the word 'some' into submission

(just kidding... I'm a terrible speller and shouldn't throw stones)

The Genesis/Megadrive is a great shooter machine... I prefer the SNES for platform games and RPGs, but for shooters the Genny is great.

Most of the shooters can be had for short money and most are worth trying. Tons of Toaplan which is were I'd suggest you spend your time!

If you have a Genesis, be sure to check out the import scene. The lockout for Japanese games come 2-fold. The first is a physical lockout - the Japanese Megadrive games come in a cart that is slightly different shape than the US carts. A model 3 Genesis can play those carts without modification as it has a wide cart slot. A model Genesis 1 and 2 would require something like a Game Genie to bring the cart-slot above the opening so that the Japanese cart will fit (or you could just modify your Genesis case shell...). The other lockout only applies to a small number of carts which will check the mainboard jumper settings in an attempt at a territory lockout at startup. No shooters that I know of have this lockout - so you should be fine (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

PFG 9000 · Post by **PFG 9000** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:43 pm

I've only got Raiden Trad, Thunder Force II, Lightening Force, and Sol Deace (as far as Genesis/MD shooters go). Of those, the only one I don't love so far is TFII. Lightening Force really has blown me away graphically. I've never seen backgrounds that nice on the Genesis!

Honestly, I've never cared for the Genesis much at all as a console, as there weren't many games I liked. But recently I've gotten into the Sonic series via the PS2 Mega+ collection, as well as the above listed shooters which I just picked up about a month ago, and I had no idea I had been missing all these great games for so many years. I still am more impressed by the SNES (and rightfully so, as it came out later than the Genesis), but I have a whole lot more respect for the Genesis now than ever before.

Out of curiosity, is TFIV generally considered the best Genesis shooter?

Nullsleep · Post by **Nullsleep** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:48 pm

Thunder Force III and IV (Lightening Force) are both great. I prefer IV myself but I get the impression that III may be the popular favorite.

I've also got Gaiares and Sol Deace. Love the soundtrack of Gaiares, and the weapon "stealing" mechanic is pretty fun too.

I would love to get a copy of Eliminate Down as I've played the hell out of it in emulation and think it's a really great game.

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:10 pm

Yeah, i am at work so i can't focus on my typing here hahah. anyway, yeah, is there a list of megadrive shooters that i should look for, assuming they are not way overpriced...and besides tiger heli, twin cobra, hellfire and such what other good taoplan games do you guys recomend? and on a side note, the genesis whooped the snes' a$$ in almost every genre cept rpgs, and fighting games. and the fighting games thing was only because snes had KI, i still like SF better on my genesis and weapon lord too. where the genesis was no freaking slouch. i really like all the phantasy star games, shining force, shining in the darkness, LANDSTALKER (i love that games soooo hard) and what not...the genesis was really cool...lots of fun games.. i own like over a hundred games for my genesis and like all the versions of it including the nomad, cdx and junk..i really had and still have a lot of fun with that system.

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:14 pm

hahah holy crap, out zone was toaplan, i was playing that the other day. coool.

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:15 pm

The arcade version of Insector X is different (cute character designs, and whatnot). The original is actually by Taito.

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:19 pm

what did you guys think of musha? i never had a chance to play that sucker.. any info on that would be nice...

i actually really like insector x on the gen, it is fun.. i heard a lot of people say it is way too easy, but i thought it had it's tough moments. i am finding steel empire to be pretty easy on default. i think i can 1cc that mofo.

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:31 pm

okay, so for toaplan shooters that were released here, we have
hellfire
tiger heli
fire shark
twin cobra
outzone (not really a shooter right?)
grind stormer
truxton

that is all i have...

PFG 9000 · Post by **PFG 9000** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:32 pm

GIANT SQUID wrote:and on a side note, the genesis whooped the snes' a$$ in almost every genre cept rpgs, and fighting games. and the fighting games thing was only because snes had KI, i still like SF better on my genesis and weapon lord too. where the genesis was no freaking slouch.

I dunno, I think the SNES was far superior in the platformer dept., and obviously platformers (and shooters) were far more important back then than they are now. And I prefer the SNES sound chip immensely. I think the SNES has its fair share of good shooters as well, like R-Type 3, Gradius 3, Axelay, etc. But hey, that's just me. Back then I was a much, much bigger fan of the Atari Lynx than of any popular system.

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:35 pm

scratch outzone...i am thinking of something else....

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:35 pm

GIANT SQUID wrote:what did you guys think of musha? i never had a chance to play that sucker.. any info on that would be nice...

I don't like it at all. It's full of slowdown and crappy game mechanics. Music is very bland and uninspired. The graphics are pretty nice though...
I know a lot of people think differently, but you shouldn't expect TOO much. Might not like it

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:41 pm

I got back into Megadrive about a year ago, and started building a strictly NTSC-J collection heavily slanted towards shooters. Luckily prices have come down on import games too. Eliminate down can be had for abou $175,- now - haven't bought one myself yet, but the game is definitely a lost classic of sorts, easily in the same league as (and also quite similar to) to the Thunderforces and Gate of Thunder.

Last week I actually scored a Japanese Steel Empire (mint, with registration card) for about $10,- off of ebay.de. The guy didn't know the title of the game and left it blank. Rock 'N Roll!

Have been playing it now, and, while it's not the greatest shmup on the system, it certainly has lots of charms and originality, and is a lot of fun. I'm very curious about the GBA version now.

IMO, the must-have shmups on the system are:

HORI:

- Thunderforce III & IV - The two best shmups on the system.
- Eliminate Down - The most expensive shmups on the system, but as opposed to Slap Fight this is actually worth it
- Gleylancer - Superb gameplay with adjustable options. Pricey but also worth it.
- Gaiares - Excellent "weapon stealing" gameplay, but difficulty is nuts
- Steel Empire - Really stylish steampunk/silent film setting. Very fun gameplay
- Aero Blasters - Classic high speed arcade port
- Battlemania (Trouble Shooter) & Battlemania Daiginjo - Weird comedic shmups where you play two gun-toting chics at once
- Gynoug - Organic-y horror shmup with massive bullet sprays

others worth mentioning, but not must-haves IMO:

- Fire Mustang - fun, but a little bit bare WWII shmup
- Darius II - Actually a really good game, but I just never warmed up to the series
- Hellfire - excellent level design and weapon switchig system but too hard and slow to really be fun, imo
- Zero Wing - much faster and more forgiving than Hellfire, but you can still tell that with Toaplan the action is in vertical shmups
- Crying (Biohazard Battle) - high speed organic shooter, with great design, but I find the subweapon hard to control effectively
- Uchuu Senkan Gomora (Bioship Paladin) - Excellent graphics, very slow, and the weirdest gameplay ever (you can lock your ship in place, and control a crosshair instead to pick out individual enemies - just make sure you switch back to ship-control to dodge those bullets- ouch!)

VERT:

- Musha Aleste - Typical Compile excellence, huge array of powerups and long levels with lots of shit going on

Excellent mythical/fantasy shmups:
- Elemental Master - From Technosoft, just like Thunderforce but vertical and in a fantasy setting. In other words, it totally fuckin rocks.
- Twinkle Tale - Fantasy cute'em up with Ikari Warriors style gameplay. Great game, get it if you can find it!
- Undeadline - Hard as hell Castlevania-ish shmup. Each level has different enemies and lots of gimmicks.
- Phelios - Fly around on a Pegasus and shoot Medusas and other baddies from greek mythology, if that's not fun, what is?

Toaplan games:
- Same! Same! Same! (Fire Shark)
- Daisenpuu (Twin Hawk)
- Tatsujin (Truxton)
- Slap Fight
- V-V (Grindstormer)
- Kyuukyku Tiger (Twin Cobra)
The Megadrive port of Twin Cobra is pretty bad and way to hard, and Slap Fight isn't worth it's high prce tag, but the others are all excellent. Personally I like V-V the best, it's the last Toaplan game on the system, has excellent design and huge sprites and you can see lots of things that would later reappear in Dodonpachi

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:52 pm

Oops, and some more...

RUN 'N GUN games:
The Megadrive excelled in this department, with 4 of the best games from this genre ever made:

Treasure games:
- Alien Soldier - Amazing gameplay which allows you to essentially teleport around the screen, making for incredibly fast-paced boss battles. In fact the game virtually only consists of a long series of bosses. Released at the end of the Megadrive lifespan the graphics are astounding. Very expensive, but a must-have by all means. PAL version is missing some stuff.
- Gunstar Heroes - The Metal Slug of Megadrive, one of the best games on the systems, and chock full of crazy and fun gimmicks and effects. Even has a horizontal scrolling shmup level.

Contra The Hard Corps - My favorite Contra. Take Contra III, add more levels, more weapons, more characters and more bosses, and you got this killer app.

Mega Turrican - Superb port of the Amiga classic Turrican II. Don't get it mixed up with "Turrican" which is a terrible port of the first game.

CIT · Post by **CIT** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:59 pm

GIANT SQUID wrote:what did you guys think of musha? i never had a chance to play that sucker.. any info on that would be nice...

It's up there with the best vert scrollers on the system imo, but many other Compile games are better, such as everything they made for PC-Engine and Super Aleste on SNES.

Its main weaknesses imo, are the music, and the fact that all the stats are in a box on top of the screen, which really squishes the playing field, makes it a bit like playing a vert scroller in letterboxed form.

I dunno why zinger thinks it's got slowdown though, cuz it really doesn't. Compile games are famous for being extremely well programmed in this respect.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 7:05 pm

Seven Force wrote: Mega Turrican - Superb port of the Amiga classic Turrican II. Don't get it mixed up with "Turrican" which is a terrible port of the first game.

Mega Turrican is not Turrican II. It actually came to the Genesis first and was ported to the Amiga as Turrican 3. Also, the original Turrican also had the same type of collision detection as the Genesis version. The main problem with the Genesis version is the poor music conversion, but the gameplay of the original is intact. The Genesis Turrican is also the only complete console port of the game. The Genesis Turrican II is Universal Soldier. Some really stupid changes were made like removing the shmup levels and replacing them with lame new levels and changing the graphics, but other than that the gameplay is actually intact. Mega Turrican does rock quite heavily, though.

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 7:37 pm

Seven Force wrote: I dunno why zinger thinks it's got slowdown though, cuz it really doesn't. Compile games are famous for being extremely well programmed in this respect.

Play stage five again. The slowdown in Musha Aleste is well-known and a fact. I die because of it, if ever. And if I do, I usually lose a bunch of lives since you lose all powerups when killed. An unfair and flawed game IMO.

EDIT:

Wow, I didn't know Mega Turrican was originally for the MD. Far too easy (1CC after two or three runs) but still such a wonderful game!

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:45 pm

yeah mega turrican was sweet, also if you like that arcade run & gun kinda stuff, midnight risistance was sweet.

dessgeega · Post by **dessgeega** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 11:03 pm

don't forget super fantasy zone.

Andi · Post by **Andi** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:13 am

Once again, I'm forced to say: Task Force Harrier!

You fools...

JBC · Post by **JBC** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:51 am

I third the whole Mega Turrican rocking thing. It does indeed rock. I'd go so far as to say it's rockin' like Dokken.

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:07 am

I actually found myself spending quite a bit of time playing Fire Shark on my Genesis a couple of nights ago, as well as some of the other Genny stuff I have. I made it halfway through level 5 the first time I played it, but after that couldn't ever make it past level 4 for some reason, mostly owing to various SDS incidents. Quite good, although it does get a little repetitive after a while, and you'll eventually hit a point where you pretty much have to reset if you die because your pea shooter is useless.

Palmer Eldritch · Post by **Palmer Eldritch** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:41 am

Seven Force wrote:The Megadrive port of Twin Cobra is pretty bad and way to hard, and Slap Fight isn't worth it's high prce tag, but the others are all excellent. Personally I like V-V the best, it's the last Toaplan game on the system, has excellent design and huge sprites and you can see lots of things that would later reappear in Dodonpachi

Couldn´t disagree more with you on that last paragraph.
Kyukyuko Tiger (Twin Cobra) on the Megadrive is one of my all time favourite shooters. Rockhard? Yes. The game has an amazing AI. One of the only "intelligent" shooters I know of. Treco did an amazing job of not only porting the game, but imbuing it with what seems to be a mind of its own.
Therein lies its only problem. It appears to be overly and unfairly difficult.
Stick with it, and you´ll see what I mean.
V-V on the other hand is a mediocre shooter IMO. Not Toaplans finest hour.
Wasn´t it in fact the last shooter they ever developed as Toaplan?

Good to see another Gley Lancer fan. Still a bit expensive, but worth it.

llabnip · Post by **llabnip** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:40 pm

Palmer Eldritch wrote:Couldn´t disagree more with you on that last paragraph. Kyukyuko Tiger (Twin Cobra) on the Megadrive is one of my all time favourite shooters.

Same here! I love it - not quite up to the Toaplan Shooting Battle (vol 1) on the PSX, but still great. Hard as nails, but it can be managed with some practice.

Palmer Eldritch wrote:V-V on the other hand is a mediocre shooter IMO. Not Toaplans finest hour. Wasn´t it in fact the last shooter they ever developed as Toaplan?

Not sure. Both V-V (aka Grindstormer) and Batsugun both show as 1993 releases (www.klov.com and www.toaplan.com) but the copyright screen on V-V is 1992 so I'm pretty sure Batsugun was the last shooter released from Toaplan.

I'd also be remiss if Slap Fight wasn't mentioned in a more positive light. The game is an amazing port - done in 1993 to the Genesis it was one of the last Genesis shooters to be released. It sports 2 games (original Slap Fight and a 'Special' edition which is pretty changed and really great). Two players, two different music selections, highly configurable and it's a Toaplan vertical shooter and that should be enough to recommend it! It's expensive to import - around US$150 and that's the main reason this high-quality port it's not enjoyed by more scrolling shooter fans. I finally broke down and got a complete copy as I think the game is well worth it.

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 2:35 pm

ha, i was laying a bunch of whip rush last night... i have fun with that game hahaha. the power up system is just fun.

FraGMarE · Post by **FraGMarE** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:13 pm

My favorite Genesis shmup is definitely Gaiares. I'm sure old-timers on the forum have gotten sick of me saying this, as I've been trumpeting Gaiares on here since circa 1997, but to me, it's the best Genny shooter hands down. Lightening Force, MUSHA, Gley Lancer, Eliminate Down, and Thunderforce III are all also great.

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 1:53 am

FraGMarE wrote:My favorite Genesis shmup is definitely Gaiares. I'm sure old-timers on the forum have gotten sick of me saying this, as I've been trumpeting Gaiares on here since circa 1997, but to me, it's the best Genny shooter hands down.

Yes, this game is simply awesome. Very varied and looks amazing.

Top 3 Horis:
1. Gleylancer
2. Gaiares
3. Gynoug

Top 3 Verts:
1. Elemental Master
2. Slap Fight
3. Fire Shark

Top 3 RnGs:
1. Alien Soldier
2. Twinkle Tale
3. Mega Turrican

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:02 pm

for run and gun i really still like gunstar quite a bit.

captain ahar · Post by **captain ahar** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 7:59 pm

holy shit!

i just played Grind Stormer and Dangerous Seed and they were a lot more hectic than i was expecting. very nice work indeed.

GIANT SQUID · Post by **GIANT SQUID** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:06 pm

yeah i need a copy of grind stormer....a little off topic but i just noticed i DON'T have a copy of raiden project.....uuuuuug..

shmups.system11.org

-Genesis Shooters-

-Genesis Shooters-

Re: -Genesis Shooters-