Underrated Gems: What shooters are underrated?

[n0rtygames]

EDIT: Also, is it just me, or does the OP reek of blatant self-promotion?

Nobody on this forum would ever shamelessly self promote. What are you chatting about? really obscura, you ought to know better than to lash out like that.

[DMC]

I don't know why but I just got this sudden urge to buy Chronoblast.
Is it underrated?

[moh]

muchi muchi pork

[pestro87]

I'm sure Eschatos and Ginga Force are properly rated amongst those that have played them, but they're unbelievable and more people should play them. Absolutely top rate, and innovative as hell.

[Aquas]

I'm sure Eschatos and Ginga Force are properly rated amongst those that have played them, but they're unbelievable and more people should play them. Absolutely top rate, and innovative as hell.

Ding.

Also Plus Alpha and Cotton, both great cute'em'ups.

[system11]

Vasara 2

[Dave_K.]

Not sure if underrated = hidden gem, but a few more not mentioned:
Macross II
Black Heart
Strahl
Hacha Mecha Fighter
Thunder Dragon 2
Cybattler

[Fervent Fovea]

There is a lot of intriguing titles that have been presented here. I greatly appreciate everyone bringing them to the forefront. I'll have to check them all out. I would like to add another underrated gem for PS1, which pleasantly surprised me with its diverse array of bonus modes. like comical mode, pocket mode, ancient mode etc..

I have never seen creative modes like this in any vertically scrolling shoot-em-up. Moreover, I have not seen faster, hyper velocity bullets on a PS1 shooter, than on the audacious mode in the game, aptly named: NO MERCY mode. My astonished jaw dropped and I laughed hysterically when I sat stunned at how alarmingly fast the glowing projectiles precipitated down the screen on this brutally unforgiving setting. I can't believe I only paid $5.00 for this underrated gem. If you've never played Gekioh: Shooting King for PS1, I would definitely encourage you to do so.

[Fervent Fovea]

gekirindan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gekirindan

When I stumbled upon it a few years ago on a mame machine I had never heard of it. Was happy to see it on Taito Legends 2 so that now I can legitimately own it.

I agree with you on Gekirindan. Taito is one of my favorite game designers. I also thoroughly enjoy Darius Gaiden on Taito Legends 2.

[HydrogLox]

If you've never played Gekioh: Shooting King for PS1, I would definitely encourage you to do so.

The title Gekioh: Shooting King was abbreviated for the EU/US release from the original Geki-Oh Shooting King: Shienryu. Shienryu is well regarded though the PS1 ports are at the bottom of the list mainly due to the lack of a tate display mode. Generally the Saturn (Shienryu[JP]) or PS2 (SIMPLE2000 series Vol. 37 THE Shooting "Double Shienryu" [JP]/Steel Dragon EX[PAL]) ports are preferred.

[malchitos]

Border Down!

Also Mahou Daisakusen, Kamui and Radirgy.

Border Down is one I keep hoping they make a HD version for either 360 or PS3. Always liked it's ranking down gimmick.


Radirgy gets some love...but very little...It's my favorite game on the "Ultimate Shooting Collection" for Wii.

[Koa Zo]

I'll second Galaga '88
and add Sexy Parodius

[Domino]

Not sure if underrated = hidden gem, but a few more not mentioned:
Macross II
Black Heart
Strahl
Hacha Mecha Fighter
Thunder Dragon 2
Cybattler

The only other person in this thread that makes sense.

[indierocklocks]

I may get flamed for "OMG GRADIUS CLONE!!!!"

But I really enjoyed playing Hydorah for PC. It's free and all should really check it out.

[malchitos]

I may get flamed for "OMG GRADIUS CLONE!!!!"

But I really enjoyed playing Hydorah for PC. It's free and all should really check it out.

well you won't get flamed by me...I loved it and still play it from time to time. For a freeware indie game I think it is a great achievement. I think it's a lot more balanced than most Gradius games(though I adore them all.)

[malchitos]

Ding.

Also Plus Alpha and Cotton, both great cute'em'ups.

You know Cotton didn't used to be under-rated but it is now. Odd too because it sorta influenced so many games of now...so many from gunbird to deathsmiles to touhou take a kinda visual cue from it. I remember wanting Cotton on the Turbografx so bad once I saw it in a magazine back in the day.

[ReSe2k]

Gekirindan is really a great game and was my favorite on the 2nd Taito collection.

Legendary Wings is also really good for being as old as i am

[Fudoh]

Gekirindan is nice indeed, but unfortunately the Saturn version might be the worst arcade port on the system. Shabby graphics, heavy loading times, game credits rendered in blurry video....

[Obiwanshinobi]

Gekirindan is nice indeed, but unfortunately the Saturn version might be the worst arcade port on the system. Shabby graphics, heavy loading times, game credits rendered in blurry video....

Was The House of the Dead better ported?

[Tokyo-J]

Dragon Blaze
Strikers 1999
Zero Gunner 2
Raycrisis
XII Stag
Night Raid
Mars Matrix
Gigawing 2

[trap15]

Everything not CAVE.

[KAI]

Everything not 2hu or not animu.

[louisg]

Mega Typhoon

[n0rtygames]

Everything not CAVE.

fu.

[Kollision]

^
now this is excellent character design

[trap15]

Yeah. They should have had Kotani do the art for SDOJ...

[CStarFlare]

I've found Magical Chase to be a surprisingly enjoyable game. Moreso than 95% of the PC Engine's shooters, partly because it has potential for score play which was a tragic rarity for that system.

Flame Zapper Kotsujin for the PC-98 is all kinds of fantastic, but it's one of those titles that is more obscure than it is underappreciated by those who've played it. Harmful Park for the PS1 falls in that same category, but I think people overlook its depth even if they have played it.

[Bananamatic]

Homura is rather underappreciated too

[BrianC]

Twinbee 3 for Famicom. One of the strangest and most quirky games in the series. Very polished and a blast to play, as well.

[Jaimers]

Magical Singular Day -Absolution-

It's pretty silly how good this game is despite nobody having ever heard of it.