Best Shmups of Every Year (Results)

[Estebang]

I know I said I was logging out for the final time, but I need to put a cap on this first.

Voting thread is here. I did not tally the obvious all-Touhou joke posts.

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1980: The End - 2 votes
1981: Galaga - 4 votes
1982: TIE between Millipede and Xevious - 2 votes each
1983: Gyruss - 3 votes
1984: 1942 - 3 votes
1985: TIE between Gradius and Gun.Smoke - 4 votes each
1986: Salamander - 4 votes
1987: R-Type - 8 votes
1988: Gradius II: GOFER no Yabou - 7 votes
1989: X-Multiply - 3 votes
1990: Raiden - 4 votes
1991: Xexex - 5 votes
1992: R-Type LEO - 4 votes
1993: Batsugun - 7 votes
1994: Layer Section/Gunlock/Rayforce - 4 votes
1995: DonPachi - 7 votes
1996: Battle Garegga - 10 votes
1997: Dodonpachi - 8 votes
1998: Armed Police Batrider - 8 votes
1999: GigaWing - 7 votes
2000: Mars Matrix - 8 votes
2001: Zero Gunner 2 - 5 votes
2002: Dodonpachi Dai ou jou - 12 votes
2003: Ketsui - 5 votes
2004: TIE between Imperishable Night and Mushihimesama - 4 votes each
2005: Ibara - 6 votes
2006: Mushihimesama Futari - 5 votes
2007: TIE between Deathsmiles and Muchi Muchi Pork - 4 votes each
2008: Dodonpachi Dai-Fukkatsu - 7 votes
2009: Unidentified Fantastic Object - 3 votes
2010: Akai Katana - 3 votes
2011: TIE between Crimzon Clover and Seisou Kouki Strania - 4 votes each

No big surprises, besides 2009. Can't say I really take issue with any of these results that aren't from that year. DOJ was nearly unanimous.

[Bee Cool]

I'm almost certain there were more votes for shmups didn't exist, please don't tell me you twisted the voting process.

[Estebang]

There were a bunch of joke posts where people just listed every Touhou game and nothing else. I had enough sense to not count them.

[Naut]

I didn't see any joke posts in that thread, put UFO back up to 10 votes mm'kay.

[Estebang]

Too late, this is my last post ever.

[Ed Oscuro]

Too late, this is my last post ever.

From one keyed-up member to another, you're taking this WAY too seriously, even putting aside that many members didn't recognize your impartiality in running the poll (I'll assume it was there and I just didn't notice it).

But here are some words of encouragement:

I thought I was the only historian that had at once neglected present power, interest, and authority, and the cry of popular prejudices; and as the subject was suited to every capacity, I expected proportional applause: But miserable was my disappointment: I was assailed by one cry of reproach, disapprobation, and even detestation ... I was ... I confess, discouraged; and had not the war been at that time breaking out between France and England, I had certainly retired to some provincial town of the former kingdom, have changed my name, and never more have returned to my native country.

- David Hume

[Despatche]

1. Not adhering to what the normal poll considers a shmup is a bit dumb.
2. I don't know of any version or port of RayForce that was released in 1994.
3. This post is not a troll, don't even kid yourself.
4. Batsugun Special wasn't properly released, I don't think it should be here. If anything, it should be considered either an alt version of Batsugun like everything else, or a 1996 game.

I'm probably forgetting something.

2019 edit: wow this post sucks

[Elixir]

Too late, it was his last post ever.

He was a better member when he wasn't trying to articulate his posts into some pseudo-intellectual garbage. We get one of these ever year.

[Erppo]

And now we're left wondering what's the "issue" with year 2009.

[Gus]

Too late, this is my last post ever.

I love how I can log on here after a horrible day and cheer myself up with great news like this.

[AntiFritz]

Too late, this is my last post ever.

I love how I can log on here after a horrible day and cheer myself up with great news like this.

Everyone place your bets when the next time he posts.

[Eaglet]

lolol dat shmups forum drama.

I'm happy so long as nothing but Garegga and Buttraider are at the top of their respective years.
They are, after all, the bestest games ever.

[Illyrian]

I did not tally the obvious all-Touhou joke posts.

Nob jockey, good riddance.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Man I feel bad now, I didnt realise he'ld take it so seriously

[BIL]

Nob jockey, good riddance.

I'm getting this on my gravestone.

[Bee Cool]

signature updated, RIP in pieceses Estebang.

[Moniker]

Man I feel bad now, I didnt realise he'ld take it so seriously

I have a feeling he'll be back when he wisens up a little. Wasn't really a bad guy, just chose the wrong places to make overly forceful, somewhat adolescent arguments. I did similar on the Baldur's Gate forums back in the day. Once he realizes he's happier when he lives and lets live, he'll come around. I hope he doesn't feel the need to use a new name - no shame in going through that kind of a phase.

[RNGmaster]

On Something Awful if you ever make a post to the effect that "I'm leaving forever" they perma-ban you. I think this is a nice system because it prevents drama queens from milking sympathy by saying they're going to leave over and over again.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Even though there wasnt that many votes, that list looks to be about right to me (not that im gonna go checking dates for every stg) even if a couple of those ties are questionable imo (ie gunsmoke with gradius and IN with Mushi)

1991 must have been a shit year though

[BIL]

Gun.Smoke (A fucking C ver) and its intense running battles with smart, vicious popcorn own Gradius 4 FREE imo. The latter's a nice museum piece, the former will tear your ass in half to this very day.

[Ed Oscuro]

1991 must have been a shit year though

I prefer Hacha Mecha Fighter to Xexex, really. Xexex is a serious option, at least. But look at the chronology of shooting's 1991 entry, there's Metal Black, Gun & Frontier (leaving aside the extend suicide exploit), Thunder Cross II, Detana!! (good year for Konami), Chariot from 3 Wonders, Jaleco's EDF, and T-t-t-turbo Force.

There are a fair number of weak games that year in the list, but it's not actually worse than 1992 (for example), except the highlights might not stand out so far.

Again, calling for a general popping of the monocles over the list starting with "The End." It turned out to be more appropriate than I thought it would be.

[Vyxx]

1991 must have been a shit year though

Xexex made up for it.

Also,

Code: Select all

2005: Ibara - 6 votes

All is right in the world.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Gun.Smoke (A fucking C ver) and its intense running battles with smart, vicious popcorn own Gradius 4 FREE imo. The latter's a nice museum piece, the former will tear your ass in half to this very day.

That I agree, Gunsmoke compared to Gradius is the equivalent of Ron Jeremy working in the Japanese porn industry

. Xexex is a serious option, at least.

Like Sina Mora, I just cant stomach the random lives BS, although I can live with the random power ups as its just a case of finding the best weapon for the stage and sticking with it. that aside it would be a very good game as I love the flint mechanic, eye candy and stage design. Hopefully someone will hack it

Metal Black would be my pic from those youve listed, Although I had to look up Turbo Force which surprised me as I thought Jamestown was the first 3 & 4 player shmup

[BIL]

That I agree, Gunsmoke compared to Gradius is the equivalent of Ron Jeremy working in the Japanese porn industry