Let's talk about NES shmups!!!
- dunpeal2064
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Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
Thanks for that little excerpt on Salamander/Life Force Ghegs. It was far more convoluted than I thought. You'd think it would have crossed there minds when naming these games!
- Weekend_Warrior
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Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
elmagicochrisg wrote:Seven pages, and still no mention of Isolated Warrior.
For shame.
How about 10 pages and no mention of Galaga??

You can also add Galaxian to the list. It was released in Japan, but not North America
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Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
Galaga, Galaxian, and Gyruss I just didn't think about because of how different they are from the shmups we normally have in mind.
You can also add Millipede and technically Spy Hunter.

You can also add Millipede and technically Spy Hunter.
Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
o.pwuaioc wrote:Galaga, Galaxian, and Gyruss I just didn't think about because of how different they are from the shmups we normally have in mind.![]()
You can also add Millipede and technically Spy Hunter.
What do shmup fans consider those? Proto-shmups or somesuch?
Also if we're gonna start talking about Spy Hunter are we gonna include King's Knight too?
Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
AppleQueso wrote:o.pwuaioc wrote:Galaga, Galaxian, and Gyruss I just didn't think about because of how different they are from the shmups we normally have in mind.![]()
You can also add Millipede and technically Spy Hunter.
What do shmup fans consider those? Proto-shmups or somesuch?
Also if we're gonna start talking about Spy Hunter are we gonna include King's Knight too?
We already included that one!

- dunpeal2064
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Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
I consider those Arena Shooters personally. Same genre I'd put Geometry Wars in.
Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
dunpeal2064 wrote:I consider those Arena Shooters personally. Same genre I'd put Geometry Wars in.
I can kind of see Galaxian/Millipede/Galaga's resemblance to other arena shooters, but they do have a slightly different feel to them. Gyruss though is technically no different than other shmups except in orientation alone. Spy Hunter is a pure shmup with no scoring.
- dunpeal2064
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Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
Oh yeah, I was more talking about Galaxian/Millipede. They do feel a bit different, but I just lump single-screen shooters together. Same with how Xevious and Dodonpachi, to me, are nothing alike, but Id still put them in the same category.
I personally reserve "shmup" for forced scrolling 2 d shooters, as there are so many games that fit even this strict requirement.
I personally reserve "shmup" for forced scrolling 2 d shooters, as there are so many games that fit even this strict requirement.
Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
dunpeal2064 wrote:Oh yeah, I was more talking about Galaxian/Millipede. They do feel a bit different, but I just lump single-screen shooters together. Same with how Xevious and Dodonpachi, to me, are nothing alike, but Id still put them in the same category.
I personally reserve "shmup" for forced scrolling 2 d shooters, as there are so many games that fit even this strict requirement.
But the background in Galaga scrolls past!
Re: Let's talk about NES shmups
dunpeal2064 wrote:Oh yeah, I was more talking about Galaxian/Millipede. They do feel a bit different, but I just lump single-screen shooters together. Same with how Xevious and Dodonpachi, to me, are nothing alike, but Id still put them in the same category.
I personally reserve "shmup" for forced scrolling 2 d shooters, as there are so many games that fit even this strict requirement.
I wonder where does that leave Defender 2? Unless you also want to classify that as some sort of arena shooter. That one always struck me as difficult to classify.