Best Shmups of Every Year (Voting)

[Estebang]

We finished one of these recently, and I think it would be interesting to try to narrow things down for each year through the full history of the genre (1978-current), so we can have a complete timeline of "best" shmups. It should also provoke some debate of the respective merits of similarly popular games from the same year (i.e. Esprade vs. Batrider). The results will be organized by year. Each voter will only select one game for each year--think hard about your decisions! Judge each game only against other offerings from the same year.

1978 and 79 are no-brainers: Space Invaders and Galaxian. 1980 is the first year things start getting debatable, so we'll start there. Although it only lists arcade games, the Chronology of Shooting should refresh your memory and maybe clue you in on a few old games you haven't played, to give your decision more worth. I will close voting once posts slow down.

Rules:

- Arcade, console, and home computer games are all admissible.

- Games are classified by the year of their earliest original release. For example, Under Defeat is considered to be from 2005, not 2006 or 12.

- Ports, revisions, and arrange modes do not count as separate games, unless the ports are considerably different from the originals (i.e. most NES ports).

- Manual-scrolling omnidirectional shooters like Robotron, Bangai-O, and Smash TV are not admissible. Borderliners like Fantasy Zone and Senko no Ronde are not admissible (though Change Air Blade is). Isometrics are fine.

My votes:

1980: Moon Cresta
1981: Satan's Hollow
1982: Zaxxon
1983: Gyruss
1984: Gaplus/Galaga 3
1985: Gradius
1986: Salamander
1987: R-Type
1988: Gradius II : GOFER no Yabou
1989: Prehistoric Isle in 1930
1990: OutZone
1991: Xexex
1992: Axelay
1993: Batsugun
1994: Shippu Mahou Daisakusen
1995: Pulstar
1996: Battle Garegga
1997: Thunder Force V
1998: Armed Police Batrider
1999: Guwange
2000: Mars Matrix
2001: Zero Gunner 2
2002: Dodonpachi Dai ou Jou
2003: Ketsui
2004: Cardinal Sins
2005: Under Defeat
2006: Mushi Futari
2007: Deathsmiles
2008: Dodonpachi DFK
2009: Deathsmiles II
2010: Akai Katana
2011: Eschatos

[TrevHead (TVR)]

My Pick

pre-1996 Darius
1996 Highly Responsive to Prayers
1997 The Story of Eastern Wonderland
1998 Lotus Land Story
1999 Mystic Square
2000 Shuusou Gyoku
2001 Kioh Gyoku
2002 Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
2003 Perfect Cherry Blossom
2004 Imperishable Night
2005 Phantasmagoria of Flower View
2006 Shoot the Bullet
2007 Mountain of Faith
2008 Subterranean Animism
2009 Undefined Fantastic Object
2010 Double Spoiler
2011 Ten Desires

[dunpeal2064]

[Estebang]

I knew that was coming.

[Bee Cool]

pre-1996 Shmups didn't exist
1996 Highly Responsive to Prayers
1997 The Story of Eastern Wonderland
1998 Lotus Land Story
1999 Mystic Square
2000 Shuusou Gyoku
2001 Kioh Gyoku
2002 Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
2003 Perfect Cherry Blossom
2004 Imperishable Night
2005 Phantasmagoria of Flower View
2006 Shoot the Bullet
2007 Mountain of Faith
2008 Subterranean Animism
2009 Undefined Fantastic Object
2010 Double Spoiler
2011 Ten Desires

[Ed Oscuro]

picking axelay over soldier blade

[mesh control]

1998: Gunbird 2
1999: Giga Wing
2000: Mars Matrix
2001: Giga Wing 2




Only voted for good games. 9)except ror psybariar

There are no good games past 2oo1


best year for shumps is a beter pole

[Casper<3]

pre-1996 Shmups didn't exist
1996 Highly Responsive to Prayers
1997 The Story of Eastern Wonderland
1998 Lotus Land Story
1999 Mystic Square
2000 Shuusou Gyoku
2001 Kioh Gyoku
2002 Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
2003 Perfect Cherry Blossom
2004 Imperishable Night
2005 Phantasmagoria of Flower View
2006 Shoot the Bullet
2007 Mountain of Faith
2008 Subterranean Animism
2009 Undefined Fantastic Object
2010 Double Spoiler
2011 Ten Desires

[Vyxx]

1987 - R-Type
1988 - Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou
1989 - X-Multiply
1990 - Fire Shark
1991 - Xexex
1992 - R-Type Leo
1993 - Batsugun
1994 - Raiden DX
1995 - Game Paradise
1996 - Battle Garegga
1997 - Strikers 1945 II
1998 - Armed Police Batrider
1999 - Battle Bakraid
2000 - Great Mahou Daisakusen
2001 - Ikaruga
2002 - Dodonpachi Daioujou
2005 - Ibara
2006 - Ibara Kuro

[Estebang]

best year for shumps is a beter pole

It would come down to "96, 97, or 98?"

Ugh, stop with the toe hoe. It was only funny the first time.

[mesh control]

wait I WANT THIS
pre-1996 Shmups didn't exist
1996 Highly Responsive to Prayers
1997 The Story of Eastern Wonderland
1998 Lotus Land Story
1999 Mystic Square
2000 Shuusou Gyoku
2001 Kioh Gyoku
2002 Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
2003 Perfect Cherry Blossom
2004 Imperishable Night
2005 Phantasmagoria of Flower View
2006 Shoot the Bullet
2007 Mountain of Faith
2008 Subterranean Animism
2009 Undefined Fantastic Object
2010 Double Spoiler
2011 Ten Desires

[Never_Scurred]

Touhoufags in the buildin'....better hide your children....

[Obscura]

WTF, why is Tempest not admissible?

Anyways:
1980: Centipede
1981: Galaga
1984: 1942
1985: Gradius
1986: Side Arms
1987: R-Type
1988: Gradius 2
1989: Abadox
1993: R-Type 3
1994: Aero Fighters 2
1997: Dodonpachi
2001: Shikigami No Shiro
2003: Ketsui
2004: Imperishable Night
2005: Espgaluda II
2011: Crimzon Clover

[Estebang]

WTF, why is Tempest not admissible?

I like it, but it's not a shmup. It's an unusually sophisticated turret shooting gallery.

Also, Crimzon Clover is a 2010 game.

[Obscura]

WTF, why is Tempest not admissible?

Also, Crimzon Clover is a 2010 game.

Really? Wiki says 2011, but ok.

[Estebang]

If you look on Yotsubane's page, you'll see it was released at a 2010 Comiket.

Unless it got delayed and he didn't update the banner, I guess...

[Obscura]

According to wikipedia, it was supposed to come out at Comiket 78, but got delayed and only the demo was released at Comiket 78, with the full version being released at Comiket 79.

The internet is telling me conflicting things about when Comiket 79 was; some sources say it was December 31, 2010 and some sources say January 1, 2011.

[Aisha]

Comiket is an event that spans three days. Comiket 79 was held from the 29th of December 2010, to the 31st. Crimzon Clover was officially sold on the last day.

[Estebang]

Alright, I guess that just barely pushes CC onto the 2011 mark. I'll adjust my votes accordingly...it's not going to beat out Eschatos though!

I also realize it's a bit silly to not allow Tempest when I'm counting all these early single-screen invader games as shmups, so go ahead, vote for it if you want.

[Eaglet]

1989: Gradius III
1990: Parodius DA!
1991: Metal Black
1992: Tatsujin-Oh
1993: Sorcer Striker
1994: Rayforce
1995: Darius Gaiden Extra Version
1996: Battle Garegga
1997: Dodonpachi
1998: Armed Police Batrider
1999: Battle Bakraid Unlimited version
2000: Mars Matrix
2001: Ikaruga
2002: Dodonpachi Dai-Ou-Jou Black Label
2003: Ketsui : Kizuna Jigoku Tachi
2004: Mushihimesama
2005: Ibara
2006: Mushihimesama Futari ver 1.5
2007: Mushihimesama Futari BLACK LABEL

Of the ones that i've played, these should be the best for each year.

[Zaarock]

picking axelay over soldier blade

worse: picking Thunder Force V(only thunder force game in the list) over G-Darius, dodonpachi and RF2, whaat

too bad chronology of shooting only has arcade titles, would be nice to have a list like that also including console-only releases

[CIT]

2011 - Seisou Kouki STRANIA
2010 - Akai Katana
2009 - DARIUSBURST
2008 - Dodonpachi Dai-Fukkatsu ver 1.5
2007 - Deathsmiles
2006 - Mushihimesama Futari ver 1.5
2005 - Under Defeat
2004 - Mushihimesama
2003 - Espgaluda
2002 - Dodonpachi Dai-Ou-Jou
2001 - Ikaruga
2000 - Mars Matrix
1999 - Guwange
1998 - Armed Police Batrider
1997 - Einhänder
1996 - BATTLE GAREGGA
1995 - Viper Phase 1
1994 - Rayforce
1993 - Batsugun
1992 - Thunder Force IV
1991 - XEXEX
1990 - Outzone
1989 - X-MULTIPLY
1988 - Gradius II : GOFER no Yabou ~ Konami
1987 - R-TYPE
1986 - Salamander
1985 - Gun.Smoke
1984 - Star Force

[malchitos]

what? shmups didn't exist pre-1996? oh you missed their golden age.


1980 - The End
1981- Galaga
1982- Xevious
1983- Gyruss
1984- Vanguard 2
1985- Gradius
1986- Side Arms
1987- R-type(used to walk two miles to play it at a 7-11)
1988- Gradius 2
1989- Darius 2 ( but Gradius 3 would be a close 2nd)
1990- Raiden
1991- Cotton
1992- R-type Leo
1993- Batsugun
1994- Gunbird
1995- Donpachi (tough year to choose...some good stuff that year.)
1996- Battle Garegga
1997- DoDonpachi
1998- Blazing Star
1999- GigaWing
2000- Mars Matrix
2001- Ikaruga
2002- XII stag
2003- Border Down
2004- Mushihimesama
2005- Radirgy
2006- Trigger Heart Exelica
2007- Deathsmiles
2008- Dodonpachi Dai-Fukkatsu ver 1.5
2009- Trouble Witches AC
2010- DARIUSBURST : Another Chronicle
2011- Seisou Kouki STRANIA

[jepjepjep]

Borderliners like Fantasy Zone and Senko no Ronde are not admissible (though Change Air Blade is).

Why is Fantasy Zone considered a borderline shmup?

[Friendly]

pre-1996 The world didn't exist; it's just fake, implanted memories
1996 Highly Responsive to Prayers
1997 The Story of Eastern Wonderland
1998 Lotus Land Story
1999 Mystic Square
2000 Shuusou Gyoku
2001 Kioh Gyoku
2002 Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
2003 Perfect Cherry Blossom
2004 Imperishable Night
2005 Phantasmagoria of Flower View
2006 Shoot the Bullet
2007 Mountain of Faith
2008 Subterranean Animism
2009 Undefined Fantastic Object
2010 Double Spoiler
2011 Ten Desires

[Erppo]

I love how it's not even the Touhou fans starting these derails anymore, y'all do it yourselves now

[Casper<3]

what? shmups didn't exist pre-1996? oh you missed their golden age.

Look at the list closely, you're missing a huge aspect of it.

[Bananamatic]

1992 Cho Aniki
1993 Daioh
1995 Ai Cho Aniki
1996 Highly Responsive to Prayers
1997 The Story of Eastern Wonderland
1998 Lotus Land Story
1999 Mystic Square
2000 Psyvariar
2001 Dodonpachi II Bee Storm
2002 Embodiment of Scarlet Devil
2003 Psyvariar 2
2004 Imperishable Night
2005 Homura
2006 Shoot the Bullet
2007 HELLSINKER
2008 Resurrection of Heaven's Liquor
2009 Undefined Fantastic Object
2010 Space Phallus
2011 Thera

[TransatlanticFoe]

Don't have anything with which to play much in the way of recent releases.

2011 - Crimzon Clover
2010 - Fast Striker
2009 -
2008 -
2007 -
2006 - Trigger Heart Exelica
2005 - Under Defeat
2004 - Trizeal
2003 - Border Down
2002 - Dodonpachi Dai-Ou-Jou
2001 - Zero Gunner 2
2000 - Vasara
1999 - GigaWing
1998 - Cyvern
1997 - Dodonpachi
1996 - Soukyugurentai
1995 - Donpachi
1994 - Rayforce
1993 - Batsugun
1992 - Thunder Force IV
1991 - Earth Defense Force
1990 - Raiden
1989 - Fire Shark
1988 - Aleste
1987 - Flying Shark
1986 - Slap Fight
1985 - Tiger Heli
1984 - Star Force

[Estebang]

worse: picking Thunder Force V(only thunder force game in the list) over G-Darius, dodonpachi and RF2, whaat

I'll admit it: I picked TFV over those games for stupid reasons, mostly having to do with nostalgia, music and presentation. But this is about personal preference, not simply objective merit--otherwise, Ikaruga would have been there instead of ZG2.

Thunder Force IV is a great shmup but it's kind of overrated. The level design completely falls apart after getting the Craw upgrade, and wasn't too substantial to begin with. Of course, TFV has many of its same problems, buuuut...

Should I take your list seriously, Bananamatic? I only see some toe hoe, but still...