Racketboy "Hidden Gems" Article - Updated 7/27

[BulletMagnet]

Okay - now that the "Defining Shmups" writeup has been posted it's time to get back to the other, and more difficult, assignment that RB has sent my way - the "Hidden Gems" genre article (tempted as I was to simply cut and paste Rob's magnum opus it just wouldn't have been right). You might recall the older thread that I started for this at the same time I was working on the previous piece, but seeing as it's been awhile since then and the original topic was rather crowded I decided to lock it and start fresh here: of course, feel free to refer back to it if you feel the need.

Anyways, as usual I'm looking for community input as to which games to feature: having reviewed the suggestions received on the older thread, I've re-organized the overall list of possible candidates for your consideration (and alphabetized them, for easier reference), to hopefully narrow the field down further. I realize that there's no possible way to please everyone herein, especially via such an innately subjective set of criteria, but I am hoping to put together a relatively "balanced" list of noteworthy but mostly-unknown shooters that everyone is at least able to live with.

As of now the possibilities put forth so far have been grouped into a handful of categories, as follows:

--------

Tier 1: My personal "favorite" picks, that in my opinion fit the bill well and (for the moment, at least) I plan on featuring for the article.

Tier 2: Under serious consideration: while not shoo-ins, I'll likely be adding at least a handful of these to "Tier 1" by the time this is over.

Tier 3: Long shots, but not totally out of the running. Probably a few in here that will inspire a bit of heated debate - nothing wrong with that, so long as it stays civil.

Tier 4: All but excluded. Games that have been suggested, but I don't feel are "hidden" and/or "gem" enough to qualify. Again, though, I'll certainly consider thought-out arguments to the contrary.

Doujins: Still not sure if I'll be including any homebrew stuff in here (leaning towards "no", considering how much work it is just to come up with a list for "professional" shooters), but I've kept track of the lot of them just in case.

-------

The list (and, eventually, the actual descriptions and such to be attached to the final version) will be shown in the second post: give 'em a look-over and let me know what you think needs to be added, subtracted, or moved, and why you think so. Hopefully that's about all that needs to be said for now: as always, thanks in advance for your help, and I hope you enjoy the finished product somewhere down the line.

[BulletMagnet]

Updated 7-27

----------

Tier 1

Biometal
Cybattler
Flame Zapper Kotsujin
Harmful Park
Homura
Magical Chase
Mystic Riders
Omega Fighter (Special)
Ordyne
Nostradamus
[Vasara series]

----------

Tier 2

Air Zonk (or Coryoon or L-Dis)
Aldynes
Alpha Mission 2
Android Assault/Bari-Arm
[Battle Mania series]
Biohazard Battle
Change Air Blade
Chikyuu Kaihou Gun ZAS
Crisis Force
Cyvern
Dragon Breed (or Saint Dragon)
Eco Fighters
Eschatos (or Judgment Silversword)
Gaiaseed
Game Tengoku
Gemini Wing
Gleylancer
Hyper Duel
Keio Flying Squadron
Knightmare (or Hi no Tori)
Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie
Mazinger Z
Mr. Heli
Nexzr
Rayxanber (III?)
Recca
Sengeki Striker
Space Bomber
Space Manbow
Sylphia (or Gun-nac or Rude Breaker or Spriggan)
Thunder Cross (or Trigon)
Titan Warriors
UFO Robo Dangar
Varth
Violent Soldier
V-V

--------

Tier 3

19XX: The War Against Destiny
Abadox
Aero Star
Air Gallet
Apidya
Baryon: Future Assault
Blast Wind
BlaZeon
Bokan series
Choutoki Meikyuu Legion
Dangerous Seed
Dead Moon
DoDonPachi II: Bee Storm
Eliminate Down
Forgotten Worlds (or S.C.A.T.)
Gaiares
Galaga ‘88
Gekirindan
Guardian Force
Gynoug
Hacha Mecha Fighter
Halley’s Comet/Halley Wars
Heavy Unit
Image Fight
Imperium
Ironclad
Last Duel
Last Resort
Macross 2
Macross Plus
Majestic 12/Space Invaders ‘91
Mercenary Force
Metamor Jupiter
Otoku Dama
Psyvariar series
Pippols
Phalanx
Psyth (or Force Gear)
Red Zone
R-Type Leo
Sapphire
Slap Fight
Sol Deace
Sqoon
Storm Blade
SSF Macross
Tenkomori Shooting
Thunder Dragon 2
Uridium 2
Vapor Trail
Wonder Planet
World Reborn
Xexex
X-Multiply
Zing Zing Zip

--------

Tier 4

Blazing Star
[Cotton series]
Dangun Feveron
Dragon Blaze
Einhander
ESP Ra.de
[Mahou Daisakusen series]
Progear
[Parodius series]
[Prehistoric Isle series]
[Raiden series]/ Raiden Fighters Jet
[Sonic Wings series]
Soukyugurentai
Syvalion
Triggerheart Exelica
Twinkle Star Sprites
[Zanac series]

-------

Doujins

Cho Ren Sha
Crimzon Clover
[Danmakufu shmups]
Diadra Empty
Ether Vapor
Hellsinker
[Kenta Cho games]
[Murasame’s Kusogames]
Phantasmagoria Trues
Radio Zonde
Ring^-27
[Siter Skain games]
Scarlet Meister
Tomak: Save the Earth Again
TWINS series
[XBLA games]
[x.x. games]
Zen Ichi

[MathU]

Well I'm glad you like Mystic Riders. That game never seems get enough attention around here even though it does some cool stuff.

[Gus]

I think you should do a separate article for doujins.

[Friendly]

Heh, basically everything on that list (except for some doujins) is very well known; most games are by famous developers. But I guess the article isn't aimed at members of this forum.

For people not in the know regarding shooting games, everything besides R-Type is hidden

[burgerkingdiamond]

I'm happy to see Gemini Wing in there.

[SuperPang]

Homura v
Cyvern ^

[BarfHappy]

There is no love for Last Resort T-T
I am a sad neko, i loved the game so much that i actually bought a NeoGeo for that game back in the days (saying forever good bye to pocket-money).

You will have loads of fun reexploring all those game ! enjoy

[Hagane]

Cyvern, Game Tengoku, TSS and Cotton definitely deserve to be up there. Personally I'd rather see any of those over Homura or Nostradamus. I'd like to know your reasons to put them under tier 1 so we can get a discussion going.

[Kiken]

Cyvern, Game Tengoku, TSS and Cotton definitely deserve to be up there. Personally I'd rather see any of those over Homura or Nostradamus. I'd like to know your reasons to put them under tier 1 so we can get a discussion going.

There is no love for Last Resort T-T

Most NeoGeo stuff has been ported multiple times (read: I wouldn't consider them 'hidden'). I think in terms of TSS, it's probably better to discuss TSS:LPP as a 'hidden gem' since many weren't even aware that a sequel was made. Cotton is all over the place as a series and is better discussed in a dedicated article.

I agree with Homura since it's a solidly designed game that deserved more attention than it received. I do agree on both Cyvern and Game Tengoku though, both are relatively obscure but well designed.

I'd also like to suggest Bari-Arm/Android Assault for the Mega/Sega-CD.

[BulletMagnet]

I think you should do a separate article for doujins.

I tend to agree, though I'd probably submit that someone other than myself should write it, since my experience with doujin shooters is rather limited compared to the other shmups I've played (life's tough with a lousy, and shared, PC).

Heh, basically everything on that list (except for some doujins) is very well known; most games are by famous developers. But I guess the article isn't aimed at members of this forum.

Well, I tried my best to take both the "hidden" and "gem" parts of the equation into account - sure, there are more obscure shooters out there, but most of them are rather cookie-cutter (which, in turn, is part of the reason the genre isn't as big as it once was, though hardly the only factor). Are there any particular worthwhile titles you think I've overlooked? I'm certainly open to suggestions.

There is no love for Last Resort T-T

I was semi-tempted to add that one, but ended up passing it up (only room for so many R-Type-ish games, I suppose)...anyone else think I ought to reconsider?

Cyvern, Game Tengoku, TSS and Cotton definitely deserve to be up there. Personally I'd rather see any of those over Homura or Nostradamus. I'd like to know your reasons to put them under tier 1 so we can get a discussion going.

A short summary of my thoughts on each:

Cyvern: Definitely obscure, and rather neat, but I personally found it a bit too sadistic for my tastes to call it a front-runner...I know a number of people disagree with me on that though.

Game Tengoku: I love the silliness of it, but the poorly-balanced playable cast and very strict scoring system took it down a notch in my book.

TSS: Unique, but a touch too well-known I would think...if nothing else it'd look a bit silly on here after appearing as an honorable mention in the "Defining" article.

Cotton: I love the Saturn-era games, and they in particular are not exactly uber-popular, but I'm hesitant to put even a semi-known series anywhere too close to the top...see 19XX, R-Type Leo and Bee Storm down in Tier 3. Maybe I ought to throw Boomerang in alongside them just for the heck of it.

Hopefully that clarifies where I'm coming from a little bit.

I think in terms of TSS, it's probably better to discuss TSS:LPP as a 'hidden gem' since many weren't even aware that a sequel was made.

That thought did cross my mind, but seeing as the sequel didn't do much of anything new compared to the original (not a "bad" thing, necessarily, but not sure it makes for "gem" material) I ended up passing, at least for now.

I'd also like to suggest Bari-Arm/Android Assault for the Mega/Sega-CD.

Y'know, I coulda sworn I added that one...guess I got it mixed up with Baryon. I'll give it another look and decide where to put it for the time being when I have time to update this thing proper.

Thanks for the thoughts, keep 'em coming.

[ChainsawGuitarSP]

Syvalion; Is this game not on here because you don't think of it as a shmup, or is it that you can't think of anything nice to say about it?
Even if it isn't exactly a 'gem' I still think it should get a mention just for how different it is.

[Friendly]

Heh, basically everything on that list (except for some doujins) is very well known; most games are by famous developers. But I guess the article isn't aimed at members of this forum.

Well, I tried my best to take both the "hidden" and "gem" parts of the equation into account - sure, there are more obscure shooters out there, but most of them are rather cookie-cutter (which, in turn, is part of the reason the genre isn't as big as it once was, though hardly the only factor). Are there any particular worthwhile titles you think I've overlooked? I'm certainly open to suggestions.

Like I said, from today's point of view, basically EVERY shoot 'em up is unknown. For instance, how many people do you think know Cave? On the other hand, games like Einhander were well known back in the day. Sorry, but knowing all those games myself, I'd have a very hard time deciding what could be considered unknown.

To be honest, I'm not sure this article is even necessary. People who are interested in shmups will seek them out themselves. One effect of the article I could forsee is for it to help drive up prices of some of the more rare games, like ZAS, by giving them more exposure to lazy collectors who are looking for a shopping list. And of course the article, which will likely remain up forever, will effectively remove the (debatable) "hidden" status of any of the games.

[monouchi]

No love for Macross Plus?

Awesome game, got the pcb.
Also Last resort should get some love.

[Hagane]

Cyvern: Definitely obscure, and rather neat, but I personally found it a bit too sadistic for my tastes to call it a front-runner...I know a number of people disagree with me on that though.

Sadistic meaning very difficult? I don't think it's really that hard compared to most well known shooters.

Game Tengoku: I love the silliness of it, but the poorly-balanced playable cast and very strict scoring system took it down a notch in my book.

Unbalanced scoring wise yes, but balance is not really a big issue, especially in shooters (there will always be a higher scoring ship/character). Can you elaborate on the strictness of the scoring system? Seems to be less strict than a Pachi to me, and definitely not something Dimahoo-esque, but I may be missing something. Most characters are fine for survival IMO.

TSS: Unique, but a touch too well-known I would think...if nothing else it'd look a bit silly on here after appearing as an honorable mention in the "Defining" article.

Yeah it is very unique, a bit too much sadly because not many shooters followed its steps. At the very least, I think the PS2 version could get a mention as Kiken says.

Cotton: I love the Saturn-era games, and they in particular are not exactly uber-popular, but I'm hesitant to put even a semi-known series anywhere too close to the top...see 19XX, R-Type Leo and Bee Storm down in Tier 3. Maybe I ought to throw Boomerang in alongside them just for the heck of it.

Cotton doesn't seem to be even semi popular, not around here certainly as the games get nearly no play.

Also, lesser known doujins could be added perhaps; stuff like ring^-27 for example.

[BulletMagnet]

Syvalion; Is this game not on here because you don't think of it as a shmup, or is it that you can't think of anything nice to say about it?

A bit of both I suppose, heh. As you say it is certainly unique, but that's not really the point of the article - maybe if RB ever wants a "Most Unusual Shooters" rundown it'll make an appearance.

To be honest, I'm not sure this article is even necessary. People who are interested in shmups will seek them out themselves.

Well sure, but there are plenty of them out there, and many can be a bit tough to get ahold of, so methinks it's not a bad thing to highlight at least some of those titles that could by some definition or other be considered "off the beaten path". Obviously one can't account for (or cater to) every type of video gamer out there, but that doesn't mean some manner of "generalized" effort should never be undertaken. And as much as I hope people read and enjoy these articles, I doubt they'll have much of an effect on the secondhand market or anything like that - as you say, those who really want to seek this sort of stuff out will do what they do regardless.

No love for Macross Plus?

I sampled this one quite some time ago, and while I had some fun with it the game never left a huge impression on me for whatever reason...Rayforce fans would definitely enjoy it though. That said, I'm hoping to avoid too many "similarly-themed" shooters on the list, so it'll (probably) be something of a battle between this one and Mazinger Z for a spot.

Sadistic meaning very difficult? I don't think it's really that hard compared to most well known shooters.

Guess this sort of thing is always in the eye of the beholder, but I often found myself frustrated by a combination of tricky/fast patterns and less-than-ideal bullet visibility. In any event the game is popular enough with the community to likely earn a spot anyway - I just wouldn't personally list it among my top picks.

Unbalanced scoring wise yes, but balance is not really a big issue, especially in shooters (there will always be a higher scoring ship/character).

There's always SOME unbalance, yes, but I found it particularly pronounced here: Z-Dyne easily dominates.

Can you elaborate on the strictness of the scoring system?

It's been some time since I last "devoted" myself to GT, but I recall finding it tricky to consistently 1) Leave enough eggplants onscreen to pick up in rapid succession, so you could 2) Kill enemies (or "open" large eggplants) while the "chain" was still maxed, to make them drop high-value eggplant, especially considering that 3) No timer or meter is ever displayed to give you some idea of how long you have to complete the sequence. It's hardly the only game to require this sort of memorization, but those tend to get docked a point or two for it as well. Again, though, it's probably a moot point, considering that GT is a strong candidate in many other respects.

Cotton doesn't seem to be even semi popular, not around here certainly as the games get nearly no play.

I agree that it doesn't get particularly heavy play or discussion (too many shmuppers aren't secure enough in their masculinity ), but the fact that it spawned a decent-sized series is something of a strike against it, as is the fact that despite its semi-obscurity it's still frequently on the shortlist of "cute-em-ups to use as examples for the uninitiated", which can't be said for, say, L-Dis or Game Tengoku.

Also, lesser known doujins could be added perhaps; stuff like ring^-27 for example.

I could add it to the "doujins" list, though again that's probably a project for another day and another writer.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Not sure about having Biohazard Battle anywhere near the list. It was in all the magazines at launch and got pretty good scores. Maybe it's somewhat forgotten next to Thunder Force III/IV but there are many which are more obscure.

Good shout with V-V, maybe worth including Slap Fight alongside it?

I'd also consider Eliminate Down before Gleylancer. The latter, though an import, got decent coverage at the time and the Virtual Console release was prominent (for a VC release anyway).

[BarfHappy]

Most NeoGeo stuff has been ported multiple times (read: I wouldn't consider them 'hidden').

Fair enough, then what about prehistoric isle in 1930 ?

But then again the term Gem is personal and i don t have particularly good tastes xD So it s all up to you.

[Frenetic]

Could you put Tenkomori Shooting on that list as well?

[BulletMagnet]

Not sure about having Biohazard Battle anywhere near the list. It was in all the magazines at launch and got pretty good scores. Maybe it's somewhat forgotten next to Thunder Force III/IV but there are many which are more obscure.

Perhaps it'd be better-served as an "honorable mention"...I'm considering little addendums to at least some of the "main" games' sections, offering a few words on "other less-known shooters kinda like this". I'll hafta see how it turns out once the list is narrowed down some.

Good shout with V-V, maybe worth including Slap Fight alongside it?

Slap Fight's not too well-known, and if memory serves was somewhat impressive for its time, though I'd hafta give it another look to determine how well it's aged...

I'd also consider Eliminate Down before Gleylancer. The latter, though an import, got decent coverage at the time and the Virtual Console release was prominent (for a VC release anyway).

The VC probably did single-handedly render Gleylancer a bit more well-known than ED, but (again, it's been some time) I remember liking the former a fair deal more than the latter. I'll hafta give 'em another go.

Fair enough, then what about prehistoric isle in 1930 ?

If this one (or its sequel) get in it'll hafta be through the entire forum trampling me underfoot with overwhelming support, since I have no affinity whatsoever for either of them, heh.

Could you put Tenkomori Shooting on that list as well?

Certainly obscure enough...isn't that the arcade exclusive pseudo-minigame collection? I tried it in MAME some time ago, I'll hafta look it up again.

[Randorama]

I would like to suggest Cybattler, Gemini Wing, Game Tengoku and Sokyugurentai.

1. Cybattler should have been a Japan-only release. I doubt that anyone saw it before its MAME emulation. The title is graphically appealing, has decent music, and a quite complex shot-and-melee attack system. It's the closest we can get to play a Gundam shmup.

Plus, it's Jaleco.

2. Gemini Wing has an interesting weapon/bomb system, it is one of the earliest "bug" shmups, and has the greatest song ever in a shmup, stage 3's BG music. It is quite old, now, and did not have a wide release back in the day.

It's by Tecmo.

3. Game Tengoku is a great game. It has very interesting game mechanics and scoring system, remarkably witty design, and the Saturn OST is really nice. It's a bit slow-paced but it's really good. It's another title that must had a small release, I think that by 1993 Jaleco stopped exporting JAMMA games abroad.

Another Jaleco gem.

4. Sokyugurentai had perhaps a wider release and a good Saturn port, and was amply discussed 10 years ago or so, on this board. It fell off the radar a bit, though. The game mechanic (the web) is quite ingenious, the OST and graphics are gorgeous, and it has that "hard sci-fi" atmosphere that was typical of old Anime/Manga/Movies/etc., that has been supplanted by Lolis.

Raizing, of course.

[BulletMagnet]

Didn't you also suggest Souky as a "defining" shmup? Make up your mind!

I'll take your other three suggestions into consideration.

[Randorama]

Didn't you also suggest Souky as a "defining" shmup? Make up your mind!

I'll take your other three suggestions into consideration.

Whatever article you want to put it in, I am happy, you heartless creature

...Isn't Cho Ren Sha a Doujin, by the way? If so, I suggest to put it in the list, as I am pretty sure that it disappeared off the radar of many users here, so it may qualify as a hidden gem.

[BulletMagnet]

Whatever article you want to put it in, I am happy, you heartless creature

I hate to see a grown Raizing fan cry...unfortunately, Souky really does reside within something of a gray area in this respect. I'm sure it'll find its place (outside of the Saturn and PS1 articles, anyway)...just not on the extreme ends of the spectrum.

...Isn't Cho Ren Sha a Doujin, by the way? If so, I suggest to put it in the list, as I am pretty sure that it disappeared off the radar of many users here, so it may qualify as a hidden gem.

Off the top of my head I'm not quite sure...I know it was on the X68000 before it became freeware, but I'm not sure whether or not it was a homebrew project on its original platform. Anyone care to enlighten me on that one?

[MathU]

Everything but the music in Cho Ren Sha 68K was done by a single person. It is absolutely a doujin game. That's part of why it was so famous, in fact: it has very high polish for a doujin and blew away even many commercial games on the X68000.

[louisg]

Souyugurentai is an awesome game! But.. defining? Don't you mean RayForce?

[BulletMagnet]

Okay - combining the feedback received so far with a healthy dose of my own prejudice, I've tweaked the list a bit. Let me know if you think it's a step in the right direction or not.

[TransatlanticFoe]

I think I'd like to petition for Gekirindan to go up a tier. Whilst it may be somewhat a love letter to three well-known Toaplan games, is it really known of by anyone? I know it didn't fare too well in the Racketboy Saturn shmups article but that seemed to focus its bias on pre-boss loading, the game itself is rather good and sticks to the spirit of the games it references. I guess its inclusion on Taito Legends may take it against the "hidden" part though, much as the Virtual Console gave fresh exposure to GleyLancer and Ironclad.

I think both Galaga '88 and Super Space Invaders '91 should be dropped entirely, I really don't think they can be considered hidden at all. The latter even got a Master System port. Sure they're not as famous as the original games in their respective series but they did get widely released, unlike many others sitting in tier 3.

[Moniker]

Hmm... I still feel like X-Multiply should be up there, for reasons already stated in the previous thread. Also because it tends to be the gateway drug into Irem's non R-Type library, once someone gets exposed to it. Omitted because it's not hidden or not a gem?

Recca - I'm guessing that it's considered not so hidden? I definitely omit Eco Fighters in its favor. I've known about Eco Fighters for years (thanks mostly to its inclusion in all those Capcom anthologies), and IMO Recca beats it hands down in both departments.

Magical Chase I've known about mostly because of its inclusion in the PCE hidden gems article. I dunno, I feel like it's hidden mostly because it's just really rare and expensive, not necessarily because it's been overlooked. Lord knows it's been highly influential - perhaps to the point where it doesn't really have anything unique over its successors. Trouble Witches being case in point.

[BulletMagnet]

I think I'd like to petition for Gekirindan to go up a tier.

At this point that's where I see it ending up, in all probability: while I don't consider it enough of a standout title to rate its own writeup (I don't hate it, I just find it "okay"), it would make a worthwhile "honorable mention".

I think both Galaga '88 and Super Space Invaders '91 should be dropped entirely, I really don't think they can be considered hidden at all.

As mentioned earlier I'm tempted to deep-six anything from a long-running/decently-known series altogether, but I'm not 100 percent there yet...as famous as Space Invaders is, I honestly wonder how many people know that Akkanvader exists (same goes for R-Type Leo).

Hmm... I still feel like X-Multiply should be up there, for reasons already stated in the previous thread...Omitted because it's not hidden or not a gem?

That's another one I need to re-look into...off the cuff I'm holding off at the moment because it's basically a variation on R-Type. Not a "flaw", but a "hidden gem" is rendered a bit less exciting when you have to say "You know that enormous hit game that company made? Guess what, they did another game a lot like that!"

Recca - I'm guessing that it's considered not so hidden? I definitely omit Eco Fighters in its favor.

Recca's another one that will likely end up at or near the top, though I consider its infamous challenge level a semi-strike against it (you better know when to charge up a bomb or else, much like spiritual sequel Pink Sweets). As for Eco Fighters, I know it ended up on Capcom Classics Volume 2...was it on anything else?

Magical Chase I've known about mostly because of its inclusion in the PCE hidden gems article. I dunno, I feel like it's hidden mostly because it's just really rare and expensive, not necessarily because it's been overlooked. Lord knows it's been highly influential

Could you go into a bit more detail on the "influential" part? Trouble Witches is certainly obvious, but what else?