Recently I’ve been looking into expanding the number of shmups in my library.

Which games should I prioritise getting? Any that I should avoid?

  • Matija Šuklje@toot.si
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    2 months ago

    @bbbhltz, depending on what you’re craving.

    Here’s a list of horizontal ones…

    Defender-like:
    • Aqua Kitty UDX – cute, fun
    • Black Bird – dark-cute

    R-Type-like:
    • R-Type Dimensions EX (and the others)
    • Rigid Force Redux – ❤️

    Classics:
    • Blazing Star
    • Thunder Force IV
    • Cotton Fantasy

    Other hori:
    • Azure Reflections – Touhou fan game
    • Sine Mora – time-mechanic ❤️ , not for everyone though
    • Astebreed – switches orientation flawlessly ❤️
    • ProtoCorgi – cute, hard
    • Rolling Gunner – ❤️

    • Matija Šuklje@toot.si
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      2 months ago

      @bbbhltz, on the vertical side…

      Oldskool:
      • Batsugun
      • Dragon Blaze ❤️
      • Gunbird 2
      • Anger Force – kinda
      • Missile Dancer
      • Moon Dancer – ❤️
      • SophStar – ❤️

      Danmaku:
      • Crimzon Clover
      • Caladrius Blaze
      • Espgaluda II
      • Mushihimesama – ❤️
      • Danmaku Unlimited 3 – bullet grazing ❤️

      with a twist:
      • Pawarumi – rock-paper-scissors mechanic ❤️
      • Dimension Drive – teleport
      • Sisters Royale – ❤️
      • Eschatos – ❤️
      • Shoot 1UP – multi-ship
      • Cosmo Gang the Video – Galaga-like
      • (Downwell)

      • Matija Šuklje@toot.si
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        2 months ago

        @bbbhltz and neither hori nor vert really…

        • Zero Gunner 2 – proto-twin-stick arcade
        • Galak-Z: the Void – strategic zero-G twin-stick, rogue-like-elements ❤️ (not to be confused with Galak-Z: Variant S, which is to be avoided)
        • Assault Android Cactus – one of **the** best twin-sticks ever ❤️
        • Jet Lancer – like Luferausers, maybe better ❤️
        • Nitro Ball – classic proto-twin-stick arcade

      • bbbhltz@beehaw.orgOP
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        2 months ago

        Someone is selling Mushihimesama on my local marketplace. I know it is no longer in production or on the Switch estore. Is €55 worth it for this game? It is used of course.

        Update: I see that it can be purchased new for 43 on different sites, so I suppose not…

        • Matija Šuklje@toot.si
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          2 months ago

          @bbbhltz , it is my favourite CAVE game so far.

          That said, personally I am not willing to pay that much for a STG (sorry). But I know others would and do pay even more for a PCB of it.

          It is a very quality game and has several modes. If that is worth it for you, it’s up to you.

          Several other Cave games (and Crimzon Clover, which is not by Cave, but like a spiritual successor) have similar modes, so perhaps try one of those first.

          • bbbhltz@beehaw.orgOP
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            2 months ago

            I was thinking of getting it, trying it, and holding onto it to resell. But, someone might be able to talk the seller down. Judging by the other items they are selling, not just games, it looks like this person caught the “import stuff from abroad” bug and it now unloading loads of merch at rather high and prices. I’m not going to barter though since it is available on play-asia for less.

              • bbbhltz@beehaw.orgOP
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                1 month ago

                I’m tracking sales on dekudeals for the moment but I did get copies of Raiden IV (which is definitely something I enjoy), Ando Dunos II ( still can’t beat the boss rush to unlock the last levels) and GreyLancer.

                I’ll probably pick up Strikers 1945 II this week since it is on sale.

                I’m just patiently waiting and also considering grabbing some physical copies of games that I’ve seen for sale on local marketplaces (Sophstar and Mushihimesama).

                • Matija Šuklje@toot.si
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                  1 month ago

                  @bbbhltz , some sweet choices. Glad to hear you’re enjoying yourself 😸

                  I just grabbed Andro Dunos 2 digitally as well. It was just too good of a deal.

            • Matija Šuklje@toot.si
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              2 months ago

              @bbbhltz Oh, I forgot to mention, the M2 (esp. ShotTriggers) ports of other Cave games have more bells and whistles than the more basic Live Wire port of Mushihimesama. Still a perfectly fine port.

            • Matija Šuklje@toot.si
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              2 months ago

              @bbbhltz, that’s always an option, yes. I did that with a few other games. I remember Teslagrad not being my jam.

              I only have Sine Mora and Pawarumi physically from STGs and am fondly keeping both :)