Well... i'm ready to be masacred(noob recomendation post XD)

[Deca]

It wasn't on purpose, but I just realized that I totally left Takumi out of my list.

Definitely give em a try though, might be your cup of tea.

I was actually a little surprised to see the last couple people I turned on to shooters get pulled in by Mars Matrix

[Pharos]

MAME + Dodonpachi

[O. Van Bruce]

I don't have a XBOX 360 T-T... Is there a way to play mushihimesama on a PC?

I've heared that the libraries of 360 will be available on Windows 8, but it may take a year or two -_- and i want to play this game...

[Nate]

You can start by getting me a beer, "O."...

So, wait where are the suggestions for "other" shmups - you know the tactical horizontal kind?

R-Type Delta/ R-Type 2
Pulstar

Fancy a cup of asskick?

[BIL]

Fancy a cup of asskick?

Doesn't appear so, strangely for a recommendations topic with the word "massacre" in it.

R-Type Delta would get a recommendation from me much along the lines of Gradius Gaiden. Excellent entry in its series, relatively very lenient while still posing a challenge, and atmospheric as hell to boot.

[Minoira]

As an off-the-cuff suggestion, R-Type Leo. Whilst not really representative of the R-Type series as a whole, it's a damn sight easier than the other games in the series, and it's a decent game in its own right.

[Special World]

I was actually a little surprised to see the last couple people I turned on to shooters get pulled in by Mars Matrix

I actually just wrote an article on why Mars Matrix is so great for getting into scoring. It's way too hard for any newcomer to beat, but damn if they won't have fun trying to.

[Obiwanshinobi]

R-Type Delta would get a recommendation from me much along the lines of Gradius Gaiden. Excellent entry in its series, relatively very lenient while still posing a challenge, and atmospheric as hell to boot.

PSX-wise, I'd rather suggest R-Types to begin with. Simpler controls (I for one still don't feel comfortable with the "gearbox" solution in shmups), better graphics, same spirit.

[BIL]

And much harder (much harder in R-Type II's case). Delta's a good introductory R-Type the same way Gradius Gaiden is for its series, and chances are being able to switch speed on the fly will appeal to newbies more than having to figure out through trial and error what speed you want for particular sections of the game.

[finisherr]

Well, i've recently jumped out of the Touhou shmup series: Have made an (almost) 1cc on Crimzon Clover Original (Ex boss killed my last 2 lives D:) and i'm playing Trouble witches.

As a fan of the Touhou Series, i like patterns a lot or at least, the sprites/bullets/etc. should be amazing(as in Crimzon Clover) or Beatiful (as in Trouble Witches). Ah, i've also played guwange and got powned, but i liked the "let's chase out mithical spirits" mood of that game, aside of the movement system...

So... can you recomend me some shmups for PC/emulation to start getting in this world? ^^U

I haven't even bothered to read this thread, but Touhou fans seem to be to fixated on "pretty bullet spreads."

[Moniker]

I haven't even bothered to read this thread, but Touhou fans seem to be to fixated on "pretty bullet spreads."

I'm also one of those who got started on Touhou and thence moved to the greater shmup scene. I don't think there's any denying that TH's bullet patterns and musical score are huge draws to the genre, pacing problems, nudging, &c. aside.

Anyway, when I started playing more mainstream shmups, I stuck with those that are closer to the TH standard, at least at the beginning.

Progear and ESPrade are both gorgeous and have that endearing feel that you get from TH. They're also a bit easier than standard Cave fare. Deathsmiles is also a great introduction, and probably a good middle ground b/w TH and your greater shmup library.

If you want doujins, XOP has THish bullet patterns.

All that said, there are far more games with beautiful sprites than beautiful bullet patterns (which in my experience are generally relegated to doujins). You'll find your niche - Touhous 6-8 will always hold a special place in my heart, but I can't help but feel I've somewhat outgrown them. YMMV.

[RNGmaster]

Progear and ESPrade are both gorgeous and have that endearing feel that you get from TH. They're also a bit easier than standard Cave fare.

Psst, there's a loop.

[Bananamatic]

I would prefer touhou to esprade

the hitbox will piss you off no doubt

[Moniker]

Very helpful, chaps. But adults are speaking.

[NzzpNzzp]

And much harder (much harder in R-Type II's case). Delta's a good introductory R-Type the same way Gradius Gaiden is for its series, and chances are being able to switch speed on the fly will appeal to newbies more than having to figure out through trial and error what speed you want for particular sections of the game.

No walls that want to kill you, either. Well, mostly.