what would you do if...

joe_w · Post by **joe_w** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 5:18 am

Hey all : ) I am brand new to the shmup genre, and I need some advice. I want to buy some shmups but I only have about $200 to spend. So I'm trying to strike a balance between getting good ones, and being able to buy as many as I can (I don't mind shmups from the sega/snes era btw, but would also like some newer ones (I have ps1-ps3). So if you were in my position, tell me what you would buy keeping in mind the appx. $200 budget. The more opinions the better, as I'll take all your ideas into consideration.

ps- I'm looking for maybe one or two really challenging ones and the rest kind of average difficulty, and the more I can buy the better...Thanks for your help! : )

Pteriforever · Post by **Pteriforever** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:08 am

Get these, and spend the $200 on something else.

Blue Wish Resurrection Plus ($0, PC)
Crimson Phoenix ($0, PC)
Go Beryllium! ($0, PC)
Green Wind ($0, PC)
Leiria -Stargazer- ($0, PC)
MyLittlePegasus: Kizuna DoPonyPachi ($0, PC)
Trigonometry Wars 3 Redux ($0, PC)
Trigonometry Wars 4 1.5 ($0, PC)

Just because something costs money doesn't mean it's better

Squire Grooktook · Post by **Squire Grooktook** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:30 am

Add Eden's Aegis, and Cho Ren Sha 68k to the above.

alpachinko · Post by **alpachinko** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:48 am

+1 for Cho Ren Sha. It's pretty decent.

If your desperate to spend your money. Then I recommend a copy of Ketsui which is region free for your PS3. It's a fantastic shoot em up for the system. And an arcade classic to boot. Einhander and Gradius Gaiden (probably worth buying NTSC-J versions as seem cheaper than US - i you have the means to play them of course) on PS1 are pretty decent too.

I always preferred the Sega Saturn over the Playstation for shooters though. So you may want to look into one of them. Saturn shmups get pricey tho as a warning.

EDITED: typos

Squire Grooktook · Post by **Squire Grooktook** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:56 am

Even outside of freeware, there are a lot of really high quality pc shmups that you can get for very cheap. At least cheaper than importing console titles.

chempop · Post by **chempop** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:14 am

There are some excellent titles for the genesis, saturn, and PS2 that won't break the bank. If you were to buy a new console it would obviously dip into your budget, so you might want to see what is available for systems that you already own. The best, affordable, modern releases are on the xbox 360, but you will need to do some research on which versions of specific games will play on your regions console. If you want to list your consoles (and region) I could give you suggestions easier.

A lot of people here will just tell you to emulate and get free doujin titles. That is certainly one route to take, but it's not for everyone. Mame might be a decent starting place to just see which style of arcade shooters interest you, then you can see which ports are available for each console.

ACSeraph · Post by **ACSeraph** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:34 am

These are just estimates based on the Japanese prices, but if I had $200 to spend on Playstation stuff I would buy:

Ketsui - PS3 - $60
Sengoku Ace/Sengoku Blade - PS2 - $30
Darius Gaiden - PS1 - $30
Shikigami no Shiro 2 - PS2 - $10

And pretty much every PS1 classic shmup on the PSN (running about $6 each with some really great otherwise expensive titles)

joe_w · Post by **joe_w** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:43 am

Ok thanks a lot for the replies : ) Is there a way to find a list of the classic ps1 shmups on psn? $6 a pop sounds great! And to answer the question I have a snes, genesis, ps1, ps2, ps3, and I live in Florida, US. Wow that is awesome I had no idea you could play good shmups for free! That's really cool because I was looking up prices for some on the top 100 list on amazon and most of them were pretty expensive :0 The only thing is I don't know much about computers...I've heard of emulators but I don't know how to get/use them...also, would I have to convert my PC to a gaming PC to play these free games? I've heard it's expensive to do that, but idk much about it : / If anyone would mind telling me what I have to do to make these games work on my PC, please let me know!

PM me or just msg me on here either way. Thanks!

matrigs · Post by **matrigs** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 10:02 am

ACSeraph wrote: And pretty much every PS1 classic shmup on the PSN (running about $6 each with some really great otherwise expensive titles)

Are these playable at all?

Captain · Post by **Captain** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 10:30 am

Nothing i can really add to this since most of my suggestions were already said.

oh wait, I know!

have a totally unrelated pirate flag.

Eno · Post by **Eno** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 11:31 am

GradiusuiraD wrote:have a totally unrelated pirate flag.

Aw damn, I thought someone had finally come up with a pirate shmup.

ACSeraph · Post by **ACSeraph** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 1:39 pm

matrigs wrote:
ACSeraph wrote: And pretty much every PS1 classic shmup on the PSN (running about $6 each with some really great otherwise expensive titles)
Are these playable at all?

Yeah they are great. All this shit people say about the ps1 classics having noticeable input lag is BS. Maybe trying to justify all their extremely expensive discs? No idea...

joe_w wrote:Ok thanks a lot for the replies : ) Is there a way to find a list of the classic ps1 shmups on psn? $6 a pop sounds great!

Make a Japanese PSN account and just browse the shooting game section of the store. When I say $6 I mean 600 yen, to buy them you have to use Japanese prepaid cards. Easy to get online though.

Cagar · Post by **Cagar** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 2:16 pm

Special World · Post by **Special World** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 2:26 pm

If you have a 360, you can pick up Deathsmiles and Akai Katana for dirt cheap. But if you only have Playstation systems... pick up Gradius V and Ketsui and call it a day, I guess.

KAI · Post by **KAI** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 2:47 pm

Buy Ibara, spend the rest on hookers.

Captain · Post by **Captain** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 7:08 pm

KAI wrote:Buy Ibara, spend the rest on hookers.

there is no difference between the two.

Obiwanshinobi · Post by **Obiwanshinobi** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:56 pm

Get yourself a GBA, Solar Striker and Gradius Galaxies. (I find the latter more playable on SP with a handheld holder extension.)
Of freeware I can recommend Warning Forever and Hydorah. Of PlayStation Classics - Zanac X Zanac and Sonic Wings Special.

jepjepjep · Post by **jepjepjep** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 10:05 pm

ACSeraph wrote: Ketsui - PS3 - $60

This is the one to get!!

Picozord · Post by **Picozord** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 11:50 pm

Definitely pick up Ketsui for PS3, you should also check out all of the Toaplan titles for Megadrive/Genesis like Truxton, Fire Shark, Grindstormer etc.
PS2 has alot of great titles like Gradius V, Dragon Blaze, Gunbird Collection, Gradius III & IV. Also if you have a way to play japanese titles on your PS2 I would recommend getting Dodonpachi Dai Ou Jou and Espgaluda, both are excellent ports. There's also Taito Legends 1 and 2 which have some nice shmups in them, just remember that if you want to play Metal Black the Taito Legends version is pure shit since you can't focus your beam.

Squire Grooktook · Post by **Squire Grooktook** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 11:54 pm

Picozord wrote:Definitely pick up Ketsui for PS3, you should also check out all of the Toaplan titles for Megadrive/Genesis like Truxton, Fire Shark, Grindstormer etc.
PS2 has alot of great titles like Gradius V, Dragon Blaze, Gunbird Collection, Gradius III & IV. Also if you have a way to play japanese titles on your PS2 I would recommend getting Dodonpachi Dai Ou Jou and Espgaluda, both are excellent ports. There's also Taito Legends 1 and 2 which have some nice shmups in them, just remember that if you want to play Metal Black the Taito Legends version is pure shit since you can't focus your beam.

Also the TL2 port of G-Darius is more arcade accurate than the original ps1 port. IMO worth picking it up for that alone.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 12:43 am

KAI wrote:Buy Ibara, spend the rest on hookers.

I think it's great advice to get at least one addictive and challenging shmup like Ibara or Dragon Blaze, both available on the PS2. Then supplement with some of the cheaper, more accessible titles like Shikigami no Shiro 2, Zanac Neo, and Sengoku Ace. You'll need a Japanese PS2 for some of these. If you have access to Japanese hookers instead, that might be preferable.

EmperorIng · Post by **EmperorIng** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 3:26 am

Taito Legends 2 for the PS2 is dirt cheap, and has excellent ports of Darius Gaiden, G-Darius, and Gekirindan, and decent ports of Grid Seeker and Metal Black.

Gradius V for the PS2 is also an excellent shooter that is not very expensive.

For the PS3, Under Defeat HD is also fairly cheap and a good classic-style shooter.

All three games above should not even break $80 if you look in the right places.

Neorebel · Post by **Neorebel** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 4:12 am

If you're not trying to buy a new console or spend time on softmodding any of your existing PlayStations to be able to play Japanese region games, the PS3 DOES in fact have a selection of shooters.

You have Ketsui, by Cave, which is a region free disc.
Under Defeat HD (PSN game)
Gundemonium Collection (PSN Indie game)
Galaga Legions DX (PSN game)
Gekioh Shooting King (aka Shienryu -PS1 classic)
Sonic Wings Special (PS1 classic)
ZANAC x ZANAC (PS1 classic)
Raiden III (PS2 classic)
Shikigami No Shiro II (PS2 classic)
Various PC-Engine classics, such as Super Star Soldier are available on the PSN

For US region PS2 games there's also Gradius V and R-Type Final.

joe_w · Post by **joe_w** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 5:20 am

Hey thanks for all the replies you guys are really helpful : ) I wrote down a lot of the games you guys suggested for me so thanks : ) I'm wondering what do I have to do to get these free games online? I don't ever play games on my PC so I don't know what to do : / Where can you download them? Which emulator do I get? Do I have to modify the PC like buy a graphics card and other stuff? (I just have a gateway, it's pretty basic but fairly new). Thanks again for the suggestions everyone! If anyone thinks of any other affordable shmups let me know : )

beatsgo · Post by **beatsgo** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 6:10 am

Just what you needed. All these PC games don't need an emulator, only a decent Pentium 4 and above computer: http://www.sk8tokyo.com/shmup/free.htm
If you're feeling nostalgic, definitely Raiden Project for PS1

Neorebel · Post by **Neorebel** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 6:19 am

beatsgo wrote:Just what you needed. All these PC games don't need an emulator, only a decent Pentium 4 and above computer: http://www.sk8tokyo.com/shmup/free.htm
If you're feeling nostalgic, definitely Raiden Project for PS1

Wow this is great, thanks for posting it!

joe_w · Post by **joe_w** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 6:48 am

beatsgo wrote:Just what you needed. All these PC games don't need an emulator, only a decent Pentium 4

Ok cool thanks

I'm looking at the pentium 4s online now to get one. What processor speed will be good enough to run the games?

replayme · Post by **replayme** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 8:23 am

Surprised hardly anyone mentioned Einhander (via JPN PSN).

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:19 am

Get MAME, receive shmups

Obiwanshinobi · Post by **Obiwanshinobi** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 11:43 am

joe_w wrote:I'm looking at the pentium 4s online now to get one. What processor speed will be good enough to run the games?

Any PC younger than 10 years should be enough to run most doujin shmups known to me. The optimal OS is probably Windows XP Pro. Shmups don't really demand a "gaming rig".

Already posted links to Warning Forever and Hydorah, but here I go again:

http://www.hikware.com/Prod/index.html#wf

http://www.locomalito.com/hydorah.php

Both ought to come with readme files that you should read first just to stay on the safe side.

And yeah, the sooner you learn how tu use MAME and other emulators, the better. Welcome to the world of internet piracy. You're in for a ride.

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