Looking for a name of a shooter

[the allett]

Hello

Do you ever have early memories of when you were a kid or a teenager and going
into an arcade and seeing (or seeing and playing) a game, but then going back
and never seeing it again. Pisser in itself but made worse by the fact that you
can't remember the name, so in your mind, it's almost like a mirage, something
which never existed but you know it did exist because you saw it! Well, that
happened to me once when was probably in my early teens so it must have been
late 80s/early 90's. I went to the arcades all revved up to play some Sega sit down
driving game but they had this 2D horizontal shooter right at the front of the
arcade. I stood there watching it for a few minutes and was amazed by the
graphics. The backgrounds sort of blobbed and bended... I can't really explain
it, not really like the fire level on TF III or anything from Xexex, but more
like the way a lava lamp's blobs change shape. I remember there was a lot of a
single colour in the background, possibly red. It was totally mesmerising. I
planned on going back to play it but then ran out of money. I went back a few
weeks later and the bloody thing was gone!

Any idea what the hell it was? I'm at least 50% sure it was by Taito but the
only thing I can think of is a Darius game. It was just one screen and the
graphics were surely better than Darius II.

[Deca]

It wasn't Metal Black was it? I haven't played it in a while but I think it had some background effects here and there?

Probably something else honestly but I figured it was worth a shot.

[xbl0x180]

Pulstar? You'd have to be pretty damn good to get that far from playing it a few times, though.

Stage 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd1MqWGYy7s

Last Resort?

Stage 3 and 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHvfKdKWcAg


Not arcade. Check out Super Nova/Darius Force:

Zone A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_MwisbKM9U

[xbl0x180]

It wasn't Metal Black was it? I haven't played it in a while but I think it had some background effects here and there?

Probably something else honestly but I figured it was worth a shot.

Wow. Check out Bonus Stage 2 at the 12:30 mark on this video. It's gotta weird lava lamp background effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xivcJxHB4Wc

[Sumez]

And you're positive it's not a Darius game? Gaiden or G-Darius?

[BIL]

I'd guess Metal Black. Sounds like a Taito game from the "lava lamp" effect (always get a kick out of seeing it pop up in their games), and Metal Black's attract mode does display bonus stage 2, which has a vivid red background with zooming effects.

[CIT]

Could've also been Hyper Duel, which has this type of effect on some of the boss fights.

[the allett]

Thanks for all the help so far

It defo is not Any darius game as i have played them all, not last resort or pulstar as i have them. Same goes for hyper duel.
I'm off to watch the metal black video as i am unsure if i have played this

Thanks once again

[BrianC]

A long shot, but Life Force?

[Nick420]

not by taito but psyvariar has some backgrounds that could fit your description?

[RNGmaster]

not by taito but psyvariar has some backgrounds that could fit your description?

Psyvariar is a vert. He mentioned it was a hori.

[the allett]

Thanks for all your help guys, it is appreciated. Bonus stage 2 on the rolling demo is what i was looking for

It is Metal black

[BPzeBanshee]

Glad you found it. I can't believe it's from 1991 either it looks so damn good. Now I wanna play it.

[Klatrymadon]

Get it played!

[BIL]

Heh. Thanks, fellow Metal Blackologist.

[Klatrymadon]

Got to spread the good word! I really should record a better run at some point. We could use a co-op one, too - that vid up there is a fiasco.