Most beautiful shmup?

[Jack Burton]

After getting a Blast City (high res crt monitor) I have to say SDOJ and Mushihimesama HD (both xbox 360 ports). They are really amazing to look at over vga. SDOJ is easier to appreciate when you're not playing it. When I get caught up just staring at how good it looks I die. I need to improve my skills as well.

[Jonst]

Sdoj has a hypnotic beauty,sort of like watching swimming.

[null1024]

True - I don't think anyone really sees the dfk bosses as a plus... perhaps that's what specifically makes sdoj more appealing to vibrant neon fans than dfk? ... Was more of a side point however, perhaps I should have left it out, or simply stressed ddp/dp more for comparative reference, my bad.

DFK's bosses give me that whole "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" vibe, so that never bothered me.

and every time I dwell on that, I imagine Cave running an ad campaign that references the crap out of that movie

[Spyke]

Quite a few games mentioned there that I haven't seen yet. True - I forgot how beautiful Mushihimesama Futari is. It is very lush and stunning.

Akai Katana, yes - but I need to play that more - it's been a while since I loaded it up. Did anyone mention Deathsmiles at all?

Ant

[Obiwanshinobi]

Many good looking shmups out there, but I never thought of any as "beatuiful". If you ask about the graphics, Raiden I-II-DX look most impressive to me, while Ordyne looks most celestial.

[Neorebel]

I kind of think the Mushihimesama series is 'beautiful...'

[Sinful]

I'm kinda of surprise so many Cave games are getting mentioned. Yeah, there're fine and all. But I thought more game Sci-Fi'ish early to around mid 90's Arcade style graphics would win more in this topic? Like Hyper Duel & Last Resort being two really great example of what I mean, and; Raiden 2/DX, Viper Phase/Raiden Fighters, RayForce/Gikirindan, R-Type Leo, Xexex, Metal Black, Dogyuun, Grid Seeker, Truxtun II, In the Hunt, Darius Gaiden, Air Gallet, Battle Garegga, Salamander 2, Batrider, Cyvern, Pulstar, Blazing star, etc.

[R-Gray 1]

well i just said Ikaruga because is my #1 game that i can call beautifull shmup

But i could say another games like Psyvariar 2 (dreamcast). Looks very nice to admire.
Mushihimesama looks cute
R-Type Delta looks good also. Wow the stage 2 with that music and under the water. and stage 3 with tha big robot and spaceship. stage 4 with the ship rising....