Irem fan looking for Suggestions

[Laurel_McFang]

Hi,

Long time occasional lurker, first time poster.
My favorite shmup is probably Irem's mystic riders (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J4bxeS7iCM), but I also dig In the hunt. Sadly mystic riders lacks credits, but I believe it shares a designer with Meikyu Jima aka Kickle Cubicle. I also loved forgotten Worlds, Air Zonk, and many of the Hiroshi Iuchi games especially Kokuga (loving the strategy element and prediction). I am familiar with the cave games and have bug princess and espgaluda. The Gradius series is a favorite too especially nemesis for game boy (is Gradius galaxies for game boy advance any good?)

Ok so a few things you should know. Witch games are ok, but the mechanics have to be interesting. Cotton is ok, but not a favorite. Some of the Touhou games are ok, but not that into them. Death Smiles is cool, but I can only play it on iOS which sucks. I like combos I.e. Hitting the pills in Gradius so power up my shots more or strategy like when to throw the broom in mystic riders or the prediction element of Kokuga. Mechanics are more important to me than bullet hell although Cave does bullet hell very well.

What would you suggest? If it helps I am a tad limited sadly I can't get Octomedius to get my Parodius fix because of no xbox, and I sold my ps3. Suggestions for portable game systems are fine, emulators are ok, but ds or 3ds are best at the moment or even... iOS if necessary (might get an icade in the future). If arcade only that's fine. Doujin is good to that latest comiket reel was amazing. If you can make any suggestions let me know and if you somehow sell me on a vita or a super gun in the process all the better.

So here's hoping suggestions threads are ok see you around in the dev forum. Btw doujin experimental games are cool too Diadra Empty is a favorite.

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

A PSP is capable of playing all PS1 and PSP shmups as well as all of the Neo Geo and CPS2 shmups (Progear!).

This includes lots of R-Type, Gradius, Parodius, Einhänder...

[Pretas]

Since when is "witch games" a genre?

Just give in and buy a 360, they're cheap now and it's the best console all around for modern STGs. A Japanese system is preferred, but there aren't many games left anymore that aren't region-free, localized, or available on PS3.

[Despatche]

Moon Patrol. Not even joking.

Gradius Advance is ok, just leave it on Normal difficulty.

[Sinful]

The Gradius series is a favorite too especially nemesis for game boy (is Gradius galaxies for game boy advance any good?)

I'm a big Gradius fan and I don't care for Galaxies at all almost. It's like my least fave Gradius. I prerfer the two original GB ones over it even. But suprisingly there are enough that love Galaxies, so try it, as it may work out for you?

If you liked that Dragon Rider game, try Saint Dragon for the Arcade (it's got a port for the PCE, but play the Arcade first as it's obviously the best). It's also got a killer first stage tune.