Need help writing a shmup article

[eatdogs]

Ok everyone, I'm a writer on the side and I've written several things ranging from fiction, non-fiction, essays, screenplays, and music reviews. I love to write about different things and today I've chosen to write a top ten shmup list for a specific site that's published a top ten list by me already (I wrote about top ten powwow dance styles, so you can see they publish unique articles).

So anyway I've taken it upon myself to start this list and I need your help. What better place that the shmups forum to help me? I say nowhere!

Ok so here's what I need. I have a rough list of ten games I chose to be in the top ten. The lists on the site are sometimes personal, but this time I want it to be a majority type thing where a collective bunch, experts I should say, are the ones who help with the process by providing much needed information.

Alright, well here's my top ten list. After you read it think on it for a bit then make suggestions. I'll try my best to determine, by majority, which ones are worthy of making the list. And please suggest other shooters you think I should have added, but please keep it from being too personal. I'm really looking for the greatest of the greats and some obscure shmup just won't cut it, especially if no one can have easy access to obtaining it.

Also, I want it to be full of history as much as it can, so that's a reason why some older titles are on my list. So here we go:

10. Space Invaders
9. Touhou
8. Zanac
7. Recca Summer Carnival 92
6. R-Type 3
5. Gradius 5
4. Galaga
3. Dodonpachi
2. Radiant Silvergun
1. Ikaruga

Yeah, so I added Touhou to the list. I figured the list needed something a bit newer and that particular series is really popular with shooter fans, or just anime fans mostly. I actually don't care for it myself...

Now here's your chance to help with this project. I'll give credit to the shmups site and forum on my list of course, unless you all don't want the attention lol.

Thanks! Looking forward to your help! I need another reason to write again! It keeps me alive and happy that I got a degree in writing.

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

Why don't you have a Raiden game on the list, or a Toaplan game, those are historically influential.

[DJ Incompetent]

The forum held a vote amongst the experts using the finest science. They have prepared a proper list of the top ten for you http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=49262

[KAI]

You list needs more Taito.

[Bananamatic]

Ketsui

[eatfrog]

Why don't you have a Raiden game on the list, or a Toaplan game, those are historically influential.

what he said. you dont need both RS and ikaruga, although great games, you are missing some other equally important stuff from toaplan or the raiden series.

[Squire Grooktook]

Yeah, so I added Touhou to the list. I figured the list needed something a bit newer and that particular series is really popular with shooter fans, or just anime fans mostly. I actually don't care for it myself...

You'd be making a big mistake to not include Ikargua or Touhou. Besides both being great games, they've both done a lot for genre awareness (especially for the bullet hell sub-genre). If it weren't for Ikaruga and Touhou, I doubt most of the casual fans and players on the internet would have ever even heard of "bullet hell", as opposed to now where you could bring it up just about anywhere and somebody would get it.

[jepjepjep]

The lists on the site are sometimes personal, but this time I want it to be a majority type thing where a collective bunch, experts I should say, are the ones who help with the process by providing much needed information.

You're missing a big one, the one that's been voted #1 by this forum for the past 5+ years.

Ketsui

Now we're talking

[eatdogs]

The lists on the site are sometimes personal, but this time I want it to be a majority type thing where a collective bunch, experts I should say, are the ones who help with the process by providing much needed information.

You're missing a big one, the one that's been voted #1 by this forum for the past 5+ years.

Ketsui

Now we're talking

If I missed this big one by all means please mention it. Does it deserve to be in the top five or the latter half of the top ten?

[eatdogs]

Yeah, so I added Touhou to the list. I figured the list needed something a bit newer and that particular series is really popular with shooter fans, or just anime fans mostly. I actually don't care for it myself...

You'd be making a big mistake to not include Ikargua or Touhou. Besides both being great games, they've both done a lot for genre awareness (especially for the bullet hell sub-genre). If it weren't for Ikaruga and Touhou, I doubt most of the casual fans and players on the internet would have ever even heard of "bullet hell", as opposed to now where you could bring it up just about anywhere and somebody would get it

I do want to list them. Especially Ikaruga.

[eatdogs]

Why don't you have a Raiden game on the list, or a Toaplan game, those are historically influential.

what he said. you dont need both RS and ikaruga, although great games, you are missing some other equally important stuff from toaplan or the raiden series.

I need specifics on those games. Which Raiden? Number 2? Which Toaplan? Batsugun? Truxton?

[eatdogs]

You list needs more Taito.

Darius perhaps? If so then which one? Darius gaiden? G darius?

[ptoing]

Gunlock is a very relavant Taito title imo.

[eatdogs]

The forum held a vote amongst the experts using the finest science. They have prepared a proper list of the top ten for you http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=49262

I appreciate that, but there's a problem I see. Not enough historical titles from the early bit generations. Plus lots of cave games in the top spots, which I don't mind, but that's leaving out a lot of the others.

[eatdogs]

The list must have history. Perhaps from the beginning to the present? Like what would you'd consider to be the ultimate shmup present that reflects the entire history up to now?

[eatdogs]

But as well, the list must show the world what they are missing. I want it to showcase the best about the genre as well as some historical insight. I'll go into details on each game when I write the list so that people will be able to learn why that game is worthy. I'll try my best to write down its history and the people who made it as well as what it brought to the genre. Also why it's held close to those who play them.

[spadgy]

It all depends on the remit of your list. Is 'top' the most popular, most successful, most influential etc?

If you're trying to take a snapshot of the genre, then I'f go for mixing the most influential, typical and popular, as well as spanning the genre's chronology (which seems to be the way you're going)

So perhaps covering the most sub genres (both stylistic and mechanical sub-divisions) possible might be the best strategy?

[Squire Grooktook]

The list must have history. Perhaps from the beginning to the present? Like what would you'd consider to be the ultimate shmup present that reflects the entire history up to now?

Those are some pretty ambitious goals. Be sure to take your time on it and get plenty of feedback. I imagine it would be very easy to miss something otherwise.

[jepjepjep]

If I missed this big one by all means please mention it. Does it deserve to be in the top five or the latter half of the top ten?

Battle Garegga has been voted #1 by this forum since around 2007.

There's a "threads of excellence" sticky (http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41586) that lists the top-25 voting threads. Maybe you can check out which titles popped up the most in voting over the years since the more recent lists have been pretty Cave-heavy.

[eatdogs]

The list must have history. Perhaps from the beginning to the present? Like what would you'd consider to be the ultimate shmup present that reflects the entire history up to now?

Those are some pretty ambitious goals. Be sure to take your time on it and get plenty of feedback. I imagine it would be very easy to miss something otherwise.

Yeah it is ambitious for such a small thing. I'll try not to get in over my head. I'll try to keep it as simple as I can.

[eatdogs]

If I missed this big one by all means please mention it. Does it deserve to be in the top five or the latter half of the top ten?

Battle Garegga has been voted #1 by this forum since around 2007.

There's a "threads of excellence" sticky (http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41586) that lists the top-25 voting threads. Maybe you can check out which titles popped up the most in voting over the years since the more recent lists have been pretty Cave-heavy.

Excellent. That's one I'll keep in mind. Thanks for the advice on the thread too.

[eatdogs]

It all depends on the remit of your list. Is 'top' the most popular, most successful, most influential etc?

If you're trying to take a snapshot of the genre, then I'f go for mixing the most influential, typical and popular, as well as spanning the genre's chronology (which seems to be the way you're going)

So perhaps covering the most sub genres (both stylistic and mechanical sub-divisions) possible might be the best strategy?

I think you nailed it. I guess it would be easy to just do the most popular top ten, but I think the idea of top ten best shmups from the genre's chronology is the better idea. The spread is more interesting I'd reckon.

[BulletMagnet]

I actually got a similar assignment from Racketboy some time back, for a "defining shmups" article, which you can read here - the discussion I had with the forum while creating it is here. My list is a ways longer than yours and not quite the same theme, but it might be of some help (though there are always omissions, the most severe of which here is probably Defender) - if you decide to use anything from it I'd just suggest contacting Racketboy first to ask his permission.

[eatdogs]

I actually got a similar assignment from Racketboy some time back, for a "defining shmups" article, which you can read here - the discussion I had with the forum while creating it is here. My list is a ways longer than yours and not quite the same theme, but it might be of some help (though there are always omissions, the most severe of which here is probably Defender) - if you decide to use anything from it I'd just suggest contacting Racketboy first to ask his permission.

I love the racketboy lists. They've helped me in finding great games. Thanks.

[Captain]

Instead of doing that, I have simply written the entire article for you.

Feel free to correct anything I might have missed out.

Spoiler

Ka-ching Pew Pew Pew Pew Pew pew BOOM BOOM Pew pew BOOM POW BOOM POW POW pew pew pew pew RATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA WHOOSH WHOOSH KAPLOW BZZZZZZT PEW PEW BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM YOU SAVED THE UNIVERSE TRY AGAIN

[TransatlanticFoe]

Ditch Space Invaders for Xevious if you're wanting a historical slant. Everyone knows Space Invaders. Ditch Galaga and go with either Radiant Silvergun or Ikaruga, not both (or merge, if you're including Touhou as a series rather than a given title). Replace them with a Raizing and Toaplan title respectively. Battle Garegga and Kyukyoku Tiger/Twin Cobra go nicely with a historical perspective.

Aleste instead of Zanac? More scope for a bit of discussion around the wider franchise.

Please don't go down the trendy route and stick Ikaruga at #1

[trap15]

But it's the bestest SHMUP ever!!1!

[Furry Fox Jet Pilot]

Why don't you have a Raiden game on the list, or a Toaplan game, those are historically influential.

what he said. you dont need both RS and ikaruga, although great games, you are missing some other equally important stuff from toaplan or the raiden series.

I need specifics on those games. Which Raiden? Number 2? Which Toaplan? Batsugun? Truxton?

Add Raiden DX to the list as the Raiden representative, it's the gold standard of Raiden games. As for Toaplan, Batsugun would be an excellent historic choice, seeing as how it was generally regarded as the first bullet hell game that set the influences for later CAVE games.

[chempop]

I realize this is more than ten games, but representing each developer is important if you are going for the historic view while still maintaining quality.

10. Takumi - (Gigawing and Mars Matrix)
9. Treasure - (Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga)
8. irem - R-Type series (not sure which)
7. Seibu - Raiden series (Raiden DX or Raiden Fighter Jet)
6. Zun - Touhou series (no clue, never played them)
5. Psikyo - (Strikers/Gunbird etc)
4. Taito - (Rayforce and Darius series)
3. Toaplan - (Batsugun)
2. Konami - (Gradius series "Gaiden or Gradius V")
1. Cave - (Dodonpachi series)
GOD TIER. Raizing - (Yagawa trilogy "Battle Garegga/Batrider/Bakraid")

Couldn't fit Capcom for the 1942 series, some oddballs and personal favorites like Cyvern, Air Gallet, MUSHA, thunderforce series, etc.

[eatdogs]

Ditch Space Invaders for Xevious if you're wanting a historical slant. Everyone knows Space Invaders. Ditch Galaga and go with either Radiant Silvergun or Ikaruga, not both (or merge, if you're including Touhou as a series rather than a given title). Replace them with a Raizing and Toaplan title respectively. Battle Garegga and Kyukyoku Tiger/Twin Cobra go nicely with a historical perspective.

Aleste instead of Zanac? More scope for a bit of discussion around the wider franchise.

Please don't go down the trendy route and stick Ikaruga at #1

I'm still considering putting Ikaruga at number one anyway. I have no problem with that.