SHMUPs and Co-op: Bests and Worsts

[Obscura]

Fire Shark seems like it would be amazing for coop. No left/right scrolling to trap your partner, one player can take all of the red pickups while the other takes all the blue (god help you with those horrid green ones, though), and you'll have good coverage of the insane kamikaze popcorn and damage to kill big enemies with.

[Captain]

There are some shmups with special abilities that can only be used with two players acting in unison (Aero Blasters for example).

What special abilities?

[Jeneki]

If both players charge up the buster and release at the same time, you get a super version of that attack. If both players charge up the buster and then press the fire button at the same time, you get a thunder bolt attack.

I did some searching the net, you can find the Aero Blasters manual here. Two player buster attacks are listed on page 4. (also read the background story on page 1, it's awesomely bad)

[blackoak]

So, has anyone played the 4-player mode in Gigawing 2? Is it fun, balanced, etc?

[dunpeal2064]

So, has anyone played the 4-player mode in Gigawing 2? Is it fun, balanced, etc?

Its pretty fun, but I wouldn't call it balanced. The shield recharges at the same rate, so you can pretty much chain shield with even 3 people.

[Battlesmurf]

Theres been some really awesome suggestions. I dont think it counts, but it's great to sit down and play with friends 4 players. Shooting Love 200x- tons of fun.

[Aleksei]

went to acrade UFO last year and played Deathsmiles MBL & Giga Wing w/ my gf who does not play shmups and I beat the game with one coin. It was fun to say "reflect!" in Giga Wing (chaining the shield), and likewise with Deathsmiles, "bomb!" or "Power up when you get 500!", good times. Playing DDP:DFK co-op... not so fun.