What are the Top 10 shoot 'em ups for 8/16-bit consoles?

[Matthew Doucette]

V-V.jpg

What is this one? Awesome box art.

[marurun]

The kana indicate it is to be spoken as "V Five".

[johnnydoyle123]

V-V.jpg

What is this one? Awesome box art.

they call it grind storm in usa i think not to sure i have the one pictured

its very good and it,s tengens last shooter

hope this helps john

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grind_Stormer

[timewarpgamer]

Alright, between moving and shooting 'em up, I've been neglecting the site rather badly, but here's a top 10 shmup update:

http://timewarpgamer.com/top10s/shoot_em_ups.html

Still no Truxton or Grindstormer. Why? Well, the former is rather light on gameplay (just a very basic power-up system plus the bomb button) and the latter is hurting on game performance (a little slow-down is one thing, but flicker to the point where you can't see incoming bullets?).

[johnnydoyle123]

Alright, between moving and shooting 'em up, I've been neglecting the site rather badly, but here's a top 10 shmup update:

http://timewarpgamer.com/top10s/shoot_em_ups.html

Still no Truxton or Grindstormer. Why? Well, the former is rather light on gameplay (just a very basic power-up system plus the bomb button) and the latter is hurting on game performance (a little slow-down is one thing, but flicker to the point where you can't see incoming bullets?).

have to agree with alot of them especially thunderforce and winds of thunder

[dire51]

As a long-time shooter fan, this list is spot-on. May I offer another for consideration, though? Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie (SFC). Three characters to choose from (each with their own unique weapons set), an enemy capture system similar to Darius Gaiden's, and it's tough as nails. For a licensed game, it's excellent.

[timewarpgamer]

As a long-time shooter fan, this list is spot-on. May I offer another for consideration, though? Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie (SFC). Three characters to choose from (each with their own unique weapons set), an enemy capture system similar to Darius Gaiden's, and it's tough as nails. For a licensed game, it's excellent.

Wow, thanks for bringing this one to my attention. I had never heard of it before. Now that I've put in some solid play sessions, I think it's definitely going to have to make the top SNES list, but I'm not sure it's ready for the top shoot 'em up list yet (outside of the baseline recommended, that is). The three different ships, each with their own unique characteristics and weapons are great. The boss design also seemed quite strong. Graphically, there are some impressive effects, too, like the black holes in stage one and the lightning bolts in stage 2.

Where the game lags a bit though is in play control. Despite all the buttons on the SNES controller, this game ops to simply give you fire and switch weapon? The Turbografx-16 pad could be used under that scheme. Why not L and R for switching weapons in both directions? Of maybe even having a button for each weapon? I also thought that the music was pretty forgettable.

Definitely an impressive licensed game, and quite a bit of fun. Did I miss the enemy capture system entirely? Seemed like all I did was shoot and transform with two buttons.

Thanks again for mentioning this overlooked gen.

[dire51]

Wow, thanks for bringing this one to my attention. I had never heard of it before. Now that I've put in some solid play sessions, I think it's definitely going to have to make the top SNES list, but I'm not sure it's ready for the top shoot 'em up list yet (outside of the baseline recommended, that is). The three different ships, each with their own unique characteristics and weapons are great. The boss design also seemed quite strong. Graphically, there are some impressive effects, too, like the black holes in stage one and the lightning bolts in stage 2.

Where the game lags a bit though is in play control. Despite all the buttons on the SNES controller, this game ops to simply give you fire and switch weapon? The Turbografx-16 pad could be used under that scheme. Why not L and R for switching weapons in both directions? Of maybe even having a button for each weapon? I also thought that the music was pretty forgettable.

Not sure why they decided to stick to that control scheme. Maybe it was an attempt to make things more simple. And you're right about the music; the only one that sticks out in my head is the first stage theme.

Definitely an impressive licensed game, and quite a bit of fun. Did I miss the enemy capture system entirely? Seemed like all I did was shoot and transform with two buttons.

You did. Quoting from the FAQ on the game at GameFAQS:

Lastly, but certainly not least, you'll notice that if you keep the Fire button
unpressed, the Veritech will glow yellow and gain an electrical current. This
allows for a huge bonus - if certain enemies come in contact with this shield,
they will instantly defect to the RDF (your team)! Note that bosses are highly
trained Zentraedi, and as such, they will not be swayed. Typically, only
weaker, low level enemies can be swayed. Some types shoot at their former
comrades, while others will serve as basically bait to take hits for you when
needed at that crucial moment. Ultimately, however, it'll be up to you, the
Veritech pilot, to decide the momentum-swinging battles; don't count on some
defecting nameless alien unless you truly doubt your skills. Keep in mind that
not all enemies fall prey to this trick, and all enemies harm you if they
collide with you - so make sure you hit them with your SHIELD, and not ram the
actual Veritech into them.

!: If you stop firing and you aren't in the middle of transforming, a yellow
shield will glow around you. If certain, smaller enemies are hit by this shield
- not YOU, the SHIELD - then they may defect and join your side, and shoot down
smaller enemies. Does not work on highly trained Zentraedi (bosses). Not very
reliable.

Even though it's not the most reliable system, it might be the first shooter to use it. At least, I can't recall any others. Anyone else know of any that predate this?

Thanks again for mentioning this overlooked gen.

No problem. There are a few other Macross shooters out there for the 8 and 16 bit consoles. The Famicom and PC Engine CD (Macross 2036) each got one, and there are three arcade games (Super Space Fortress Macross, Chouzikuu Yousai Macross - Macross II and Macross Plus). The only one I have any personal experience with is the Famicom game, and it's definitely below average. Here's a review of it I wrote a few years back:

http://opcfg.kontek.net/archive/cymreview.html

[Yukima]

There are a few other Macross shooters out there for the 8 and 16 bit consoles. The Famicom and PC Engine CD (Macross 2036) each got one, and there are three arcade games (Super Space Fortress Macross, Chouzikuu Yousai Macross - Macross II and Macross Plus). The only one I have any personal experience with is the Famicom game, and it's definitely below average.

I've played through the arcade games - Super Spacefortress Macross is pretty good and has nice animated cutscenes at the beginning. It follows the plotline of the movie ("Do You Remember Love?") rather than the series. Macross Plus is also very good, from what I remember of it. Macross II, however... I never really liked it. The feel of it is different from the other two (I think it was a horizontal shooter rather than vertical) and they put a timer on each stage - I think they only give you like 2-3 minutes to get through each stage, including defeating each boss, and I could never advance because of that! (stupid bosses that never die...)

I've been dying to play Macross 2036, but haven't gotten around to finding a copy (and a PCE CD unit to play it on). It apparently follows the storyline after the DYRL movie, and the game art is really, really nice!

[dire51]

Macross II, however... I never really liked it. The feel of it is different from the other two (I think it was a horizontal shooter rather than vertical) and they put a timer on each stage - I think they only give you like 2-3 minutes to get through each stage, including defeating each boss, and I could never advance because of that! (stupid bosses that never die...)

You're kidding. I've never heard of a shooter with timed stages until now. Makes me wonder what moron made that decision...

I've been dying to play Macross 2036, but haven't gotten around to finding a copy (and a PCE CD unit to play it on). It apparently follows the storyline after the DYRL movie, and the game art is really, really nice!

It certainly does look it. Hopefully we'll both get to try it someday.