4th Annual Top 25 Shmups of All Time! - Polls Closed

[MadSteelDarkness]

[25] [Batsugun (Special Version)]
[24] [Donpachi]
[23] [Radiant Silvergun]
[22] [Zanac Neo]
[21] [Gunbird 2]
[20] [Gradius Gaiden]
[19] [Battle Garegga]
[18] [Gradius V]
[17] [Strikers 1945]
[16] [Gyruss]
[15] [Galaga]
[14] [Dodonpachi]
[13] [Twin Cobra]
[12] [Dodonpachi Dai Ou Jou]
[11] [Mars Matrix]
[10] [Raiden DX]
[9] [Layer Section]
[8] [Ikaruga]
[7] [Xevious]
[6] [Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius]
[5] [G-Darius]
[4] [Armed Police Batrider]
[3] [Musha Aleste]
[2] [Soldier Blade]
[1] [Dragon Blaze]

[uwfan]

[6] [DoDonpachi]
[6] [Ikaruga]

[5] [Border Down]

[4] [Thunderforce III]
[4] [Shikigami no Shiro 2]
[4] [Uridium]
[4] [Embodiment of Scarlet Devil]

[3] [Radiant Silvergun]
[3] [Raiden 2]
[3] [DoDonpachi DaiOuJou]
[3] [Esp.ra.de]
[3] [Guwange]
[3] [Espgaluda]
[3] [Dragons Breed]
[3] [Imperishable Night]
[3] [Rally Raid]

[2] [Dangun Feveron]
[2] [R-Type]
[2] [Einhander]
[2] [Defender]
[2] [Hellfire]
[2] [rRootage]
[2] [Parsec 47]

[1] [ProGear no Arashi]
[1] [Scramble]

[ghibli99]

I thought it'd be hard to come up with 25, but it turns out it'd be hard to limit myself to 50. Sigh... anyway, this was tough, and the order changes on a daily basis. FWIW, based on current gut feelings and nostalgia:

[100] [Space Harrier AC]
[100] [Gradius Gaiden PS1]
[100] [R-Type III SNES]
[90] [Lightening Force SG]
[90] [Radiant Silvergun SS]
[90] [Guwange AC]
[80] [Espgaluda PS2]
[80] [Pop'n Twinbee SNES]
[70] [Sengoku Blade SS]
[70] [RayStorm PS1]
[70] [Raiden II AC]
[60] [Ikaruga DC]
[60] [Dodonpachi dai-ou-jou PS2]
[60] [Galaga AC]
[60] [Ordyne AC]
[50] [Thunder Force III SG]
[50] [Progear no Arashi AC]
[40] [Axelay SNES]
[30] [R-Type AC]
[30] [Gradius V PS2]
[20] [Ibara PS2]
[20] [Esprade AC]
[10] [Border Down DC]
[10] [Dangun Feveron AC]
[10] [Layer Section SS]
[10] [Life Force NES]

Edit: Added platforms.

[captain ahar]

[15] [Imperishable Night]
[15] [Mars Matrix -dreamcast]
[15] [Battle Garegga]
[15] [Zero Gunner 2]
[15] [Harmful Park]

[10] [Brave Blade]
[10] [Jikkyo Oshaberi Parodius]
[10] [Dangun Feveron]
[10] [Nemesis '90 Kai -x68k]
[10] [Gradius II -arcade]

[5] [Section Z]
[5] [Hotdog Storm]
[5] [Space Manbow]

[1] [IO: Into Oblivion]

well there it is. didn't spend as much time on it as i would've liked, but somehow, april snuck up on me. i think i'm pretty satisfied though.

[RoninBuddha]

all are a r c a d e versions unless noted.

[90] [Guwange]
[90] [ESP Ra. De.]
[90] [Under Defeat (DC)]

[85] [Progear no Arashi]
[85] [Border Down (DC)]
[85] [Ikaruga]
[80] [Giga Wing 2]

[75] [Gunbird 2]
[75] [Zero Gunner 2]
[70] [Tengai]
[70] [Mushihimesama]
[70] [Armed Police Batrider]
[70] [Dimahoo]

[69] [Ibara]
[67] [Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius (SNES)]
[65] [Soldier Blade]
[65] [Gley Lancer]
[63] [Battle Garegga]
[60] [Einhander (PS)]
[60] [RadiantSilverGun]
[60] [Gradius II]
[60] [Darius II]

[55] [Darius Gaiden]
[50] [Strikers 1945]
[50] [Daisenpu (JPN)]

:edited:

[rolins]

[10000] [Zanac (MSX1)]
[300] [Aleste 2 (MSX2)]
[100] [Salamander (MSX1)]
[100] [Galaga (ARC)]
[90] [Zanac Neo (PS)]
[80] [Hype (MSX1)]
[80] [Anaza Kaleidoscope Special (MSX1)]
[80] [Xevious Fardraut Saga (MSX2)]
[80] [Xevious (ARC)]
[75] [Knightmare (MSX1)]
[75] [Zanac EX (MSX2)]
[75] [Gradius Gaiden (PS)]
[70] [Aleste (MSX2)]
[70] [Gunhed (PCE)]
[70] [Blaster Burn (MSX1)]
[70] [Super Raiden (PCE)]
[65] [Gradius II (PCE)]
[60] [Kyuukyoku Tiger (PCE)]
[60] [Undeadline (MSX2)]
[60] [Super Laydock (MSX1)]
[55] [Einhander (PS)]
[50] [Gun Nac (NES)]
[45] [R-Type (PCE)]
[20] [R-Type Delta (PS)]
[20] [Terra Cresta (NES)]

It's hard too make a list of 25 shooters. Not sure if I'm satisfied with it though because I know I forgot a few.

[Super Laydock]

My top 25, it's kind of a shook up from last year's list with a lot of games changing places.
Only 2 new entries though, which are ZG2 which I've become to really like in the last couple of months and Progear (finally tried MAME out again). Haven't played Under Defeat yet, nor Ibara or Homura so they made no impact. Radirgy is nice but no top 25 stuff for me atm.
Scores have been filled in quickly so I wouldn't have to think about it them
too much, since I find this by far the hardest part as it always does unjustice to some games.


[1000] [Salamander (MSX)]
[1000] [Nemesis/Gradius 2 (Aka Nemesis MSX or Nemesis '90 Kai)]
[950] [Border Down (DC)]
[850] [Dodonpachi DOJ (PS2)]
[600] [Giga Wing (DC)]
[300 [Super Laydock (MSX)]
[300] [Gradius Galaxies (GBA)]
[300] [Zero Gunner 2 (DC)]
[300] [Judgement Silversword (Swancrystal)]
[300] [Space Manbow (MSX)]
[100] [Shikigami 2 (DC/GC)]
[100] [Recca (NES)]
[100] [Chaos Field (DC/GC)]
[50] [Galaga '88 -'90 (PCE/TG-16)]
[50] [Gunbird 2 (DC)]
[50] [Star Soldier (Gamcube/PS2 version)]
[50] [Macross Scrambled Valkyrie (SNES)]
[50] [Battle Squadron (Amiga)]
[50] [Mushhimesama (PS2)
[50] [ProGear no Arashi (Arcade/Mame)
[50] [Hybris (Amiga)]
[50] [Powerstrike 2 (Master System)]
[50] [Zanac (MSX/NES)]
[50] [Aleste 2 (MSX)]
[50] [Parodius DA! (SNES)]

[ill6]

[10] [Espgaluda]
[10] [Mushimesama]
[10] [Progear]

[9] [Dodonpachi Dai Ou Jou]
[9] [Ketsui]

[8] [Gigawing]
[8] [Esprade]
[8] [Mars Matrix]
[8] [Battle Bakraid]

[7] [Ibara]
[7] [Dodonpachi]

[6] [Guwange]
[6] [Soukygurentai]
[6] [Dragon Blaze]
[6] [Gunbird 2]
[6] [Shikigami No Shiro 2]

[5] [Raiden Fighters]
[5] [Armed Police Batrider]

[4] [Dimahoo]
[4] [Sengoku Blade]

[3] [Blazing Star]
[3] [Dangun Feveron]

[2] [Radiant Silvergun]
[2] [Shikigami No Shiro 1]

[1] [Donpachi]

[Nullsleep]

[5] [Dodonpachi DOJ]
[5] [Summer Carnival '92: Recca]
[5] [Gradius V]
[5] [Ikaruga]
[4] [Under Defeat]
[4] [Einhander]
[4] [Soukyugurentai]
[3] [Dodonpachi]
[3] [Border Down]
[3] [Progear]
[3] [Ibara]
[3] [ESPGaluda]
[3] [Rayforce]
[3] [Radilgy]
[3] [Thunderforce III]
[3] [Thunderforce IV]
[3] [Eliminate Down]
[3] [Gradius II]
[3] [Mars Matrix]
[2] [Armed Police Batrider]
[2] [Crisis Force]
[2] [Cho Ren Sha 68K]
[2] [Mushihimesama]
[2] [Gate of Thunder]
[1] [Gaiares]

[Ghegs]

[100] [Judgement Silversword]
[100] [Gradius Gaiden]
[100] [ThunderForce V]
[80] [Gradius V]
[80] [Recca]
[80] [Strikers 1945]
[80] [Side Arms]
[70] [Mushihime-sama]
[70] [Zero Gunner 2]
[70] [Harmful Park]
[60] [Trizeal]
[60] [Salamander 2]
[60] [Sengoku Ace]
[60] [Sengoku Blade]
[60] [Shikigami No Shiro 2]
[50] [Dodonpachi]
[50] [Gunbird]
[50] [Gekirindan]
[50] [Section Z (AC)]
[40] [Star Soldier (PSP)]
[40] [Soldier Blade]
[40] [Sonic Wings Special]
[20] [Lords Of Thunder]
[20] [Warning Forever]
[20] [Cho Ren Sha]

[tehkao]

[100] [R-Type]
[50] [Forgotten Worlds]
[50] [Rayforce]
[20] [MUSHA]
[20] [Thunderforce 3]
[20] [Thunderforce 4]
[20] [Super Star Soldier]
[20] [Raiden DX]
[20] [Raiden Fighters Jet]
[20] [Zanac]
[20] [Salamander ARC]
[20] [Gradius 2]
[20] [Sokyugurentai]
[20] [Truxton]
[20] [Viewpoint]

[BrianC]

[4] [Thunder Force V]
[3] [R-Type]
[3] [Xevious]
[3] [Gradius Galaxies]
[3] [Steel Empire GBA]
[3] [Twinbee]
[3] [Twinbee Yahho]
[2] [Xevious 3D/G]
[2] [Detana Twinbee]
[2] [Gradius Gaiden]
[2] [Nanostray]
[2] [Lifeforce NES]
[1] [Zanac NES]
[1] [Blazing Lasers]
[1] [GG Aleste]
[1] [Fire Shark Genesis]
[1] [Pop 'n Twinbee SNES]
[1] [Thunder Force III]
[1] [Thunder Force IV]
[1] [Gradius V]

[cigsthecat]

[100] [Armed Police Batrider]
[95] [Ibara]
[90] [Gunbird 2]
[70] [Dragon Blaze]
[50] [Raiden Fighters Jet]

[2] [Battle Garegga]
[2] [Batsugun Special Ver.]
[2] [Strikers 1945 II]
[2] [Raiden DX]
[2] [Cho Ren Sha 68k]
[2] [Zero Gunner 2]
[2] [Raiden Fighters 2]
[2] [Battle Bakraid]
[2] [Dimahoo]
[2] [Kyukyoku Tiger II]


[1] [Raiden II]
[1] [Twin Cobra]
[1] [Soldier Blade]
[1] [Super Star Soldier]
[1] [Gunbird]
[1] [Strikers 1945]
[1] [Raiden Fighters]
[1] [Raiden]
[1] [Aero Fighters]
[1] [Mars Matrix]

[dai jou bu]

[1] [Parodius]
[1] [Thunder Force 5]
[1] [Shikigami no Shiro II]

[2] [The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil]
[2] [Rayforce]
[2] [Air Rade]
[2] [Mars Matrix]
[2] [G. Darius]
[2] [Twinkle Star Sprites (Dreamcast)]
[2] [Zero Gunner 2]
[2] [Gradius]
[2] [R-Type (Sega Master System)]
[2] [Ikaruga]
[2] [Shoot the Bullet]

I've been raised in a horizontal world for the most part. I also left a lot out as well. Then again, I'm pretty sure these are the significant ones for me.

Edit: Just read how the scoring system works. Sorta.

[gameoverDude]

[200] [Ibara]
[200] [Border Down]
[200] [Ketsui]
[180] [Under Defeat]
[150] [Guwange]
[145] [Darius Gaiden]
[140] [ESPRaDe]
[140] [ESPGaluda]
[140] [Progear]
[140] [19XX]
[140] [Zanac Neo]
[130] [DDP-DOJ]
[115] [Thunder Force IV]
[115] [Battle Bakraid]
[115] [1941]
[110] [Hyper Duel]
[105] [Giga Wing]
[100] [MUSHA]
[90] [Battle Garegga]
[85] [Raiden Fighters Jet]
[80] [Truxton 2]
[70] [Twin Eagle]
[70] [Daioh]
[70] [Gekirindan]
[70] [Shienryu]

[nullstar]

[7] [Gradius V]
[5] [G. Darius]
[5] [Gradius Gaiden]
[5] [Soukyugurentai]
[3] [Gate of Thunder]
[3] [Guwange]
[3] [Zanac Neo]
[1] [Blazing Lazers]
[1] [Galaga]
[1] [Gradius]
[1] [Gradius II]
[1] [Gradius III (SNES)]
[1] [Gunbird 2]
[1] [Layer Section]
[1] [Lords of Thunder]
[1] [R-Type Delta]
[1] [Shikigami no Shiro 2]
[1] [Soldier Blade]
[1] [Space Megaforce]
[1] [Spriggan]
[1] [Strikers 1945 II]
[1] [Super Star Soldier]
[1] [Thunderforce III]
[1] [U.N. Squadron (SNES)]
[1] [Viper Phase 1]

I will not procrastinate...I will not procrastinate...I will not procrastinate...

[FraGMarE]

Hope i'm not too late

[100] [Gate of Thunder]
[24] [Gaiares]
[23] [Thunderforce III]
[22] [Thunderforce IV]
[21] [DoDonPachi]
[20] [Spriggan]
[19] [MUSHA]
[18] [Raiden II]
[17] [Aldynes]
[16] [Blazing Lazers]
[15] [Soldier Blade]
[14] [Rayforce]
[13] [Space Megaforce]
[12] [Air Buster/Aeroblasters]
[11] [Lords of Thunder]
[10] [Hyper Duel]
[09] [Axelay]
[08] [R-Type III]
[07] [Gradius 2/Vulcan Venture]
[06] [R-Type]
[05] [DonPachi]
[04] [Dangun Feveron]
[03] [Cyvern]
[02] [Darius Gaiden]
[01] [Mars Matrix]

[Plasmo]

[100] [Ikaruga]
[100] [Battle Garegga]
[90] [Radiant Silvergun]
[90] [Shikigami no Shiro 2]
[90] [Ibara]
[90] [Batsugun]
[80] [Gunbird 2]
[80] [Mars Matrix]
[80] [Darius Gaiden]
[80] [G.Darius]
[80] [Mushihimesama]
[70] [Sexy Parodius]
[65] [Strikers 45 ii]
[60] [Soukyugurentai]
[60] [Star Soldier Vanishing Earth]

[shmup-o]

[2] [DoDonPachi DOJ]
[2] [Gate of Thunder]
[2] [Lords of Thunder]
[2] [Border Down]
[2] [Battle Garegga]
[2] [Strikers 1945 II]
[1] [Einhander]
[1] [Soldier Blade]
[1] [Space Megaforce]
[1] [Ibara]
[1] [Espgaluda]
[1] [GigaWing 2]
[1] [Blazing Lasers]
[1] [G Darius]

[MovingTarget]

[15] [Dodonpachi DOJ]
[13] [Espgaluda]
[10] [Dodonpachi]
[10] [Soukyugurentai]
[9] [Gradius V]
[8] [Layer Section]
[8] [Raiden]
[8] [Raiden 2]


Somethin like that.

[oxtsu]

[250] [XII STAG]
[5] [KETSUI]
[5] [Shikigami no Shiro II]
[5] [Ikaruga]
[5] [U.N. Squadron ARC]
[5] [Varth]
[5] [Mars Matrix]
[5] [Dimahoo]
[5] [Strikers 1945 II]
[5] [Dragon Blaze]
[5] [Guwange]
[5] [dodonpachi Dai-Ou-Jou]
[5] [Zanac Neo]
[5] [Psyvariar Revision]
[5] [1943 Kai]
[5] [19XX: The War Against Destiny]
[5] [Gradius V]
[5] [Border Down]
[5] [Forgotten Worlds]
[5] [Raiden Fighters 2]
[5] [Raiden DX]
[5] [Rayforce]
[5] [Radiant Silvergun]
[5] [G.Darius]
[5] [Zero Gunner 2]


...Loose-r.