EASY shumps!

[MrPopo]

Zero Wing (Genesis JP/EU) is a pretty easy one, as long as you pick up the homing missiles (which is the 3rd of 4 powerups in the rotation). There's a couple of levels where you have to do some fine maneuvering, but it's mostly holding down fire and watching the world burn.

[AwesomeMonstar]

the twinbee games always seemed a lil on the easy side. Raiden's a good choice too. Triggerheart is what i like to call "My first bullet hell!" It's overwhelming, but nothing you can't get the hang of rather easily.

[marurun]

Ooo... If you're solid with emulation, download Ootake (PC-Engine/TG-16 emulator) and an ISO of Gate of Thunder. It's probably the best noob shooter ever and will give you a deep longing for more TG-16/PCE shooter action.

[PepsimanVsJoe]

Lords of Thunder is really easy since you get a health meter.
Cho Ren Sha 68k(freeware PC game) is exceptionally good and also quite easy, I 1CCed it the first time I picked it up.
Kamui(Another freeware title) is also fairly easy.
Same with Blue Wish Resurrection Plus(Yet another freeware title) which features a number of options for all types of gamers(including IIRC a mode where if you get hit with a bullet you simply use a bomb instead of lose a life).
Progear No Arashi is Cave's easiest shooter next to ESP Galuda 1(and Deathsmilies from what I hear).
You said no Gradius but Gradius III for the SNES is a cakewalk. Axelay is also pretty easy.

[marurun]

I didn't find Axelay easy. I haven't beaten it because I mostly just get annoyed with it.

[Erik_Twice]

Wow, thanks for all the responses, I will try a few!

I find funny that Gradius III on the arcade is next to impossible and it's easy on the SNES. I saw some videos and the difference is ridiculous

[jfrost]

Super Megaforce/Aleste (SNES) is not very hard either.

[marurun]

Super Megaforce/Aleste (SNES) is not very hard either.

It does get kinda boring, though. I found there just wasn't enough going on at times, or that what was going on was too repetitive. Game should have been... *gasp* ...a little shorter. I know, that's heresy in gaming circles these days.

[elvis]

It does get kinda boring, though. I found there just wasn't enough going on at times, or that what was going on was too repetitive. Game should have been... *gasp* ...a little shorter. I know, that's heresy in gaming circles these days.

It followed the trend of all the Aleste games (which includes probably half the TG16/PCE shmups, MUSHA on MD/Genesis, and others).

It's about going for score, and knowing which power-ups to avoid (rather than "collect everything!").

HG101 have a nice comprehensive list:
http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/ ... ompile.htm

ZanacXZanac on PSX is another like that. Fun, long, and very easy.

[marurun]

I like most of the TG-16 shmups... Including Blazing Lazers, which is nearly the direct parent shooter of Space Megaforce/Super Aleste. The latter simply takes that model a bit too far for me.