Best Arcade-Only Shmups?

[gbaplayer]

hello,

which shmups that are arcade-only do you think are the best, besides those toaplan jewels like dogyuun and outzone? iam looking for some new games for my arcade shmups collection ( i already own dogyuun, truxton 2, v-v and prehistoric isle in 1930).

thanks
snkfreak

[Op Intensify]

MAME allows you to try before you buy.

I would guess you're already well versed in the great shmup lexicon if you own such games.

[DEL]

^True, but he's asking for a shortcut, which makes sense. I can start with Sega's rare Sonic Boom. I have the board. Got it from Malc himself. It has the classic Sega 'can't continue on the last stage' feature.

[Bee Cool]

You should start by trying out the Cave, Raizing, and Psikyo games that haven't been given a console port and are available in MAME. You also may want to expand that to all those that haven't been given a port to a console you currently own or plan to own soon.

I don't think you should just take our word on specific games when you can readily try them out yourself. I'd hate for you to buy a game that some of us like, but you can't stand.

[Drum]

R-Type Leo is pretty fun.

[null1024]

R-Type Leo is pretty fun.

This. Definitely feels nothing like a normal R-Type game, but it's good in it's own way.

[ArrogantBastard]

progear, u scrub

[ikaruga007]

Battle Bakraid. Definitely one of my faves.

[Nick420]

I might be wrong on some of these being arcade only but...
Blazing star
Esprade
Vasara series
Change air blade
Dangun feveron
Space bomber
pulstar
That's a few anyways, check out some vids on YouTube, I'm sure you can find something that grabs ya.

[mesh control]

ARMED POLICE BATRIDER

[dieKatze88]

Because Konami fucked up the flint A.I. on the PSP port, I submit Xexex. A hundred Times Xexex.

[trap15]

Wait, they made Flint even dumber? I didn't think that was even possible.

[shmuppyLove]

I dunno if Blazing Star or Pulstar qualify since they were released on AES.

But ESPRaDe and Progear for sure, Bakraid absolutely.

Looking at my favourites in MAME there's also Cyvern and Eight Forces.

[Op Intensify]

Wait, they made Flint even dumber? I didn't think that was even possible.

I thought the Flint was actually quite smart in Arcade Xexex. It seems it uses different AI patterns for specific parts of each stage; the developers likely anticipated exactly where good players would be using it.

[Zaarock]

ARMED POLICE BATRIDER

this needs more mentions than bakraid lol

[dieKatze88]

Wait, they made Flint even dumber? I didn't think that was even possible.

I thought the Flint was actually quite smart in Arcade Xexex. It seems it uses different AI patterns for specific parts of each stage; the developers likely anticipated exactly where good players would be using it.

This, and in the PSP port it fucking chases butterflies.

Like during the first boss if you're clever you can shoot the flint using the charge release directly into the center of the boss through a very small window. in the PSP version, it likes to not sit there and <crossout>tentacle rape-ohgodwhathaveidone</crossout> wreck the boss and go chase the little enemies at the top of the screen that you, as the player, are much more equipped to defeat. This makes the game difficult because you can't rely on the Flint Taking a fucking hint and doing what you want it to do.

I mean, unless you're Diol Twee. But that's my bad Otomedius reference for the day.

[dunpeal2064]

Dimahoo!

Air Gallet is another cool one. I'd also say check out some NMK stuff, since their games never seemed to get ported. I've only tried Strania and Hacha Mecha Fighter, but they were both quite fun in their own way.

[cools]

Ibara. The port doesn't count.

[jepjepjep]

Batrider!

[Ed Oscuro]

just fyi, gbaplayer is gonna buy games he won't play

like me

[louisg]

I was gonna mention R-Type Leo, but it looks like that got covered

[Aquas]

Plus Alpha, Ordyne?

[JBueno MD]

The best.

[chempop]

Not very popular, but I like 19XX The War Against Destiny.
Smooth gameplay, crisp graphics, amazing music, fantastic design. It's all there.

[dunpeal2064]

Ah yeah, good one chempop!

Reminds me of another good one, 1944: The Loop Master by Raizing.

[gbaplayer]

@ed oscuro: why is that so? i play all the games i bought. currently v-v.

[trap15]

>good one
>the poop master

Excellent joke, 10/10, would read again

[dunpeal2064]

I'll be sure to leave it there for your reading pleasure!

I honestly only put a couple creds into it, it seemed decent... although not by Raizing standards.

[-SD-]

Another vote for the legendary Batrider

[Bee Cool]

>good one
>the poop master

Excellent joke, 10/10, would read again

Let's keep the green text to the general thread.