Help me name this game

[robertbn]

I cannot remember the name of this arcade game back late 80s. It was an horizontal shooter were you controlled an spaceship. You are in caves or something. You have to destroy some enemies (these enemies come in groups and in a clockwise/anti-clockwise movement) to get some kind of letters (such as "P" or "S"), so you can upgrade your weapons and get a shield (if I well remember, the shield is a 3/4 circle -there is no shield at back of the ship- and it seemed to be white/blue). The graphics are fine (like Darius Gaides and Gradius). Does it ring the bell to any of you?

[Mortificator]

Heavy Unit?

[robertbn]

Heavy Unit?

No, but thanks.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Salamander 1 or 2?

Some more details like any weapon types, graphics, bosses you remember would be helpful, especially if there were any noteworthy or unique weapons like in Xexex or R-Type?

[robertbn]

Salamander 1 or 2?

Some more details like any weapon types, graphics, bosses you remember would be helpful, especially if there were any noteworthy or unique weapons like in Xexex or R-Type?

Thaks man, but has passed almost 25 years since I saw this game last time, so I don't remember many details.
I remember the shield was like in a "D" format, but there were no shield at back part of the ship. The shield colors were white/blue, and the graphics were fine. When you were hit, the shield were going weak, until it disappears.
Eventually you conuld get a "friend" that stayed close to you, circulating your ship and shooting the enemies.

The enemies you should destroy to get the "power letters" came in a spiral formation, or something like that...

[BareKnuckleRoo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yE5SV9tGWs

Pulstar has small sidearm ships and a large main shield that could be vaguely described as D-shaped, and letters for the powerups.

Only issue is that it was released in 1995, so it might not be that game since you said 'late 80's'... but could it have been the 90s instead that you saw this game?

There's a couple other games like Rezon or Gigandes that sort of fit the description, but are different in key elements...

[Ed Oscuro]

Taito's Megablast.

It's not a Mmmmega-blast, but it's better!

[robertbn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yE5SV9tGWs

Pulstar has small sidearm ships and a large main shield that could be vaguely described as D-shaped, and letters for the powerups.

Only issue is that it was released in 1995, so it might not be that game since you said 'late 80's'... but could it have been the 90s instead that you saw this game?

There's a couple other games like Rezon or Gigandes that sort of fit the description, but are different in key elements...

The shield is different and that game is from the late 80's for sure

[robertbn]

Taito's Megablast.

It's not a Mmmmega-blast, but it's better!

No. The game is horizontal scrolling...
Thanks

[system11]

Not one of the Thunder Cross games is it?

[robertbn]

Not one of the Thunder Cross games is it?

Unfortunately no

[Nifty]

Sounds rather like Exzisus, although it could be either set; the conversion (vid) has the enemies coming from behind, but the dedicated (vid) is the one that gives powerups for clearing formations. Neither has the shield you're describing though...

EDIT: Or maybe Thunder Force AC?

[robertbn]

Sounds rather like Exzisus, although it could be either set; the conversion (vid) has the enemies coming from behind, but the dedicated (vid) is the one that gives powerups for clearing formations. Neither has the shield you're describing though...

EDIT: Or maybe Thunder Force AC?

Thanks, but it isn't any of these...

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Some pre-90s and early 90s hori shmups:

Air Buster (no shield I think)

Bio Ship Paladin (letter powerups, again no shield)

Hellfire (no shield)

Prehistoric Isle (it has caves?)

Turtle Ship (bad salamander wannabe)

Thunder Cross (letter powerups)

Zero Wing (colour powerups)

Last Resort (letter powerups, not really caves)

Could it be a non-arcade game like XDR? (letters, shield that doesn't cover the ship engines)

[Ed Oscuro]

Taito's Megablast.

It's not a Mmmmega-blast, but it's better!

No. The game is horizontal scrolling...
Thanks

Taito's Megablast. There is nothing Xenon-y or Bomb The Bass-y about it, and it's horizontally scrolling.

The only difference between it and your description is that the upgrade pills aren't numbered, and I'm not sure about the shield business. Nevertheless you could look it up to be sure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlaXGd-SUbY

Sounds rather like Exzisus, although it could be either set; the conversion (vid) has the enemies coming from behind, but the dedicated (vid) is the one that gives powerups for clearing formations. Neither has the shield you're describing though...

That sounds pretty close though! Also, more Taito sound goodness

[robertbn]

Some pre-90s and early 90s hori shmups:

Air Buster (no shield I think)

Bio Ship Paladin (letter powerups, again no shield)

Hellfire (no shield)

Prehistoric Isle (it has caves?)

Turtle Ship (bad salamander wannabe)

Thunder Cross (letter powerups)

Zero Wing (colour powerups)

Last Resort (letter powerups, not really caves)

Could it be a non-arcade game like XDR? (letters, shield that doesn't cover the ship engines)

Hi!
The above games are not the one I'm looking for, but XDR is really like it indeed. All the elements are there, but the graphic are quite different.
Maybe that game could not be an arcade but another plaform such as NEO GEO or anything. I'll start looking over.
Thanks for your help.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

I think I just found the game you're looking for (while inadvertently looking up other Nichibutsu games):

Is it Terra Force? It's not a true hori - it's actually a mix of vert and hori sections (you can choose to change routes kinda like Mag Max), it's got a D shaped shield, fast-flying enemies that often move in circular motions drop the powerups, and it was made in the 80s (1987).

[robertbn]

I think I just found the game you're looking for (while inadvertently looking up other Nichibutsu games):

Is it Terra Force? It's not a true hori - it's actually a mix of vert and hori sections (you can choose to change routes kinda like Mag Max), it's got a D shaped shield, fast-flying enemies that often move in circular motions drop the powerups, and it was made in the 80s (1987).

Nope.
The game is horizontal only, and the graphics are a little better. The scenarios are kind of "natural", without buildings, dinossaurs etc.

[KAI]

Strato Fighter - Raiga?

[The Coop]

Curse?

[IseeThings]

there's a bit of a problem with the date..

Graphics like Darius Gaiden / better than Terra Cresta weren't really likely in the 80s. Darius Gaiden especially pushes the F3 system all the way in places and that's easily one of the most powerful 2D arcade systems produced in terms of visual effect capabilities.

So either the game was a bit later (mid 90s+) or the graphics weren't as good..

Some elements sound like Thunder Force AC, but the shield description isn't quite right for that (it is a partial shield, but there are gaps at the front and back)

definitely has some enemies in spiral patterns, cave-structured levels (although not the first one) lettered powerups, and a blue/white shield tho. It also has your usual 'options' that circle the ship if you get that powerup.

[Ed Oscuro]

I guess we have to throw out - the NMK games like Hacha Mecha Fighter and Black Heart (has -dragons, but +caves!) and Gratia (buildings, cycling shot icons but not shot letters)

It's probably something really simple too...

[robertbn]

Hey guys,

I think I found the game: Terra Force is the name.

Thanks for the help.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Is it Terra Force?

Nope.

[Jonst]

Haha! That's what I thought as well!

[robertbn]

Is it Terra Force?

Nope.

Yeah,

I said it wasn't Terra Force due to the vertical stages, because I didn't remember them.
Sorry.

[Ed Oscuro]

Play Taito's Megablast too while you're at it and see it's not vertical.

[BIL]

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MISSION GENTLEMEN / ROSS PEROT IS PLEASED



Shouldn't we have a sticky topic for AWOL shooters from memory lane? Shit be like whack-a-mole.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Shouldn't we have a sticky topic for AWOL shooters from memory lane? Shit be like whack-a-mole.

I was thinking that too, especially with guidelines on what to mention about the game. A lot of topics get posted with "looking for a spaceship game" with out saying if it's a hori, vert, about what year it is, what kind of weapons, etc.

[trap15]

HI I'M LOOKING FOR A SHOOTER I PLAYED IN THE ARCADES IN THE 90S OR 80S I DONT REMEMBER MUCH THE PLAYER WAS A SPACESHIP THANKS

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