Newb shmups?

[Raz1r]

I'm kind of new to shmups, and I really suck. Here are the ones I have already. My uncle gave them to me along with an old 6-button Genesis stick.

Guardian Legend (NES)
Gradius 3 (SNES)
Bio Hazard Battle (Gen)
Lightening Force (Gen)

Which one is the easiest? And what are some good ones for PS1/2 and DC that are on the easy (and cheap) side? Any other suggestions are welcome.

[racketboy]

Zero Gunner 2 for the Dreamcast is a wonderful beginner shmup

[roushimsx]

I know you didn't ask for NES recommendations, but what the hell... fire up an emulator and check out Legendary Wings and Gunsmoke

Legendary Wings is one of the easiest shmups I've ever played (I played it for the first time in over a decade about 3 years ago and 1cc'd it on my first try). Gunsmoke is worth a peek-a-boo as well, though it might take a few hours (2-3) of play before you'll really be able to 1cc it. Still not a terribly difficult game that manages to be a good bit of fun and pack some catchy as hell music. Go for all 3 loops! You'd probably dig Zanac, too.

For PS1, check out Gunbird. The US release got nerfed, but there's always the import and/or MAME. Great beginner shmup (in comparison to Gunbird 2, which will kick you in the teeth and take your lunch money). You may enjoy Philosoma as well, but some people dislike that it's a hodgepodge of damn near every shmup subgenre rolled into one game. Not terribly difficult (until that fucking Zaxxon level), cheap as hell, and pretty decently fun.

It may not look like it, but Gigawing (DC) is surprisingly easy once you get the grasp of the gameplay system. Learn how to use the reflect force and you'll be unstoppable in that sucker. It's not nearly as easy as everything else above, but I believe it's the easiest DC shmup released in the US.

[fastbilly1]

Thats Gun.Smoke on the NES, some roms are named without the dot, but the game actually had a dot to get around copyright. And I second the Gunbird recommendation. Another good one is Mars Matrix - one button shooters are just akward at first.

Though I will say the only reason I am decent at shumps is because I jumped in and played donmaku on hard difficulty right off the bat. Sure I thought I was crappy at the games for about a month, but then one day it clicked.

[durkada]

I'll second Zero Gunner II. Great with a friend, too.

Harmful Park for the PSX, I think, is one of the gentler shmups. It does get hard, but the ascent to those difficult levels is pretty long -- and a very enjoyable ride.

[roushimsx]

Another good one is Mars Matrix - one button shooters are just akward at first.

I still find Mars Matrix to be way too difficult and I've successfully tackled both Gigawing and Gigawing 2 Having control over the direction of the bullets you reflect is nice, but the intensity just ramps up too quickly in stage 2 for lil' ol' me.

[racketboy]

I'll second Zero Gunner II. Great with a friend, too.

Harmful Park for the PSX, I think, is one of the gentler shmups. It does get hard, but the ascent to those difficult levels is pretty long -- and a very enjoyable ride.

Oh yeah -- I second Harmful Park as well. It's pretty quirky as well

[marurun]

The Raiden Project is a great shooter for PS1. It has Raiden I and II on the disc and you can adjust the difficulty level. They are classic shmups that, at the time (of their arcade release), really pushed the realism of shmups.

[ott0bot]

I really dig Super R-Type for SNES. I thought it was hard at first, but then I beat in in one sitting. Also, next shmup I played after that seemed alot easier.

Also, Einhander for PS1 is really fun!! Even though by level 3 it starts to get crazy, it never made me want to stop playing it. Plus the weapons are really cool, especially the "lightsaber!!"

[extrarice]

Gradius 3 for the SNES is pretty easy, once you get used to the weapon system.