I got a JPN PS2 - direct me to some PS1+2 import shmups?

[headcaseGames]

yeah, I am sure there's more than a couple of these threads down in the history already but c'mon, I know you guys love talking about this stuff!! The great thing about the PS2 is that it plays imports from the predecessor as well..

What JPN specific titles are absolutely worth tracking down? I am sure there's gotta be a good couple dozen, after all these years - at least! Never really paid much attention to the market as I never really planned to pick up this model, but one found it's way into my hands, so I might get while the gettin's good!

So far all I have is the new ThunderForce title..

-EDIT- I am not a bullet hell guy. BTW - I loved the 16Bit era of shmups the most, personally..

[BIL]

I am not a bullet hell guy. BTW - I loved the 16Bit era of shmups the most, personally..

Sounds like you'd enjoy Raiden DX (PS1). Complete inverse of bullet hell design (still hellish, though), lots of lasting scoring depth, and an excellent port of the arcade game.

[Super Laydock]

Just get Harmful Park.

It will be your best decision ever!

(if you got some cash left, Zanac X Zanac would be a nice second option).

[Mortificator]

That's a great recommendation. You might also like Zanac X Zanac and Gradius Gaiden (though I think one of Gaiden's stages runs slow on a PS2).

[Erik]

Einhander, Raiden (DX), Gradius Gaiden, Thunderforce V and Salamander Deluxe Pack are definitely worth tracking down.

[BIL]

Gradius Gaiden (though I think one of Gaiden's stages runs slow on a PS2).

Yeah, Stage 7 / On The Event Horizon. Shame too, it's a real rush normally. Otherwise it runs fine though.

[Hibachi]

R-Type Delta is great and also the parodius Deluxe Pack is nice.

Happy hunting.

[Zero Gunner]

Einhander
EspGaluda
Ibara (though the PCB crowd will spew hate at this suggestion)
Ray Storm
Dodonpachi

[lgb]

Ibara (though the PCB crowd will spew hate at this suggestion)

It seems like getting it for the Arrange mode is minded less, though.

[Casey120]

Mushihime-sama
Raiden DX
DoDonPachi
DonPachi


And about a hundred more !

[Diebythesword]

Raiden DX, Sexy Parodius and Cho Aniki for PS1 and PS2

[headcaseGames]

cho aniki, ha ha.. didn't they actually release one of those over here, or maybe it just made the press..

the R-type games I've got, same with TF5, einhander (love that game!) and zanac - looks like i have a few others to sort through now, thanks! Gradius Gaiden sounds particularly tempting-

I wish compile put out a little more before folding up, but what can you do--

[Elixir]

-EDIT- I am not a bullet hell guy.

EspGaluda
Ibara (though the PCB crowd will spew hate at this suggestion)
Dodonpachi

Mushihime-sama
DoDonPachi

Good job.

[Kollision]

Elixir is right.

headcase, if you're not into bullet hell games some options are: Fantasy Zone, Double Shienryu, the Taito Legends/Memories compilations and the Oretachi Game Center titles (there's Terra Cresta, Rabio Lepus, Sonic Wings, Thunder Cross, etc). It's a fact that you'll find the majority of non-bullet hell games on the PS1 library though.

As a side note, if you're into rail shooters you can't go wrong with the Sega Ages Space Harrier, Galaxy Force II and After Burner II.

[LFO]

i find this information very helpful.
and i also highly recommend raiden dx. simply awesome!

edit:
star soldier for ps2 is also quite old-school.

[headcaseGames]

star soldier on PS2? now you've got my attention...

[ZOM]

another vote for Zanac X Zanac - awesome game.
about that Star Soldier... It's easy & fun to play at first but I have a feeling that it won't take long till you put it in a shelf & let it rot there.

[Super Laydock]

another vote for Zanac X Zanac - awesome game.
about that Star Soldier... It's easy & fun to play at first but I have a feeling that it won't take long till you put it in a shelf & let it rot there.

assuming the quality of the PS2 version matches that of the GC one, I'd predict the other way around in the case of hcG.

I could play Star Soldier on GC for days without getting bored.
ZxZ is really cool for what it is, but I retired from it pretty soon (aside from the occasional playing of the original Zanac & listening to the music).

To each his own, but being an oldschooler myself (those are the roots anyway), I'd recommend SS over ZxZ for real. The fact that it's A LOT cheaper helps too.

Still, Harmful Park is the top PS1 shmup for me.

[toredauei]

i find this information very helpful.
and i also highly recommend raiden dx. simply awesome!

edit:
star soldier for ps2 is also quite old-school.

this is a very good read for anyone interested in what the ps1 has to offer as far as shmups go. I freaking love racketboy

[Dale]

Eihnhander
Raiden3
Taito Memories1/2
Capcom Classics Collection1/2
Midway Arcade Treasures(Not sure if this got Japanese Release)

You might like Graduis V, if you enjoyed the bubble or 2nd loop bullet patterns in 3. It's still pretty manic but still has some of the elements of the older ones. But in all honesty this isn't the best council for what you want. If you bought a Japanese PS2 solely for memorizer shmups you probably won't find a lot. PS1 has a decent line up. I could recommend a lot more for Genesis and PC Engine has a massive selection.

Do you like Pskyo or Raizing style bullet patterns? Their games don't have real small hit boxes or really intricate patterns, they take a lot of reflex though. If your looking for a pure memorizer you probably won't like them though. Look up Armed Police Batrider and Gunbird2 on Youtube if your interested.

Edit Damn I didn't notice that almost all the recommendations I gave had domestic releases.

[kid aphex]

silpheed: tlp. hek yes.

[KindGrind]

Just get Harmful Park.

It will be your best decision ever!

(if you got some cash left, Zanac X Zanac would be a nice second option).

Laydock's right on the money. If you have rather deep pockets, you won't regret these 2 purchases.

[ZOM]

i find this information very helpful.
and i also highly recommend raiden dx. simply awesome!

edit:
star soldier for ps2 is also quite old-school.

this is a very good read for anyone interested in what the ps1 has to offer as far as shmups go. I freaking love racketboy

Then I hope you love BulletMagnet too
(Just giving credit to who it belongs. YAY JUSTICE!)