DS Shmups: What do I need to know?

[alienjesus]

Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ is a vertical shmup of sorts.

I completely forgot about this one. It's pretty enjoyable overall.

[noiseredux]

Nanostray is by the same company that made Iridion, FYI. Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ is a vertical shmup of sorts. Konami Classics Series Arcade Hits has some of the games from the GBA release, plus more. I also recommend Space Invaders Extreme which works with the DS paddle controller.

you had me at Iridion...

oh yeah, I should definitely track down a paddle for the DS. Good call man. And actually Zombie BBQ is already on my XMas list, I just don't think of it as a Shmup (I generally go by the spaceship-shooting-stuff definition personally)

[Lokkenjawnz]

Before you get too excited about Nanostray, you should look up some videos of it on youtube. It uses a very strange 3D-esque perspective that causes you to only be able to shoot in a cone shaped pattern, instead of all over the screen. For instance if an enemy appears in the upper left or upper right corner, you simply can't hit them, or at least not with a straight shot. I wouldn't say it's a bad game by any means, but if you're used to normal shmups it'll really frustrate you at first, or at least it did for me. Still worth checking out though, just be aware of the funky viewing angle.

And another vote for Ketsui Death Label! It is absolutely amazing! It's kind of ridiculous playing a bullet-hell shmup on such a tiny screen, but I can't get enough of the damn game. IIRC it is incredibly expensive to buy though, $100+ last I checked due to a relatively small run. If you have a flash card though, go for it! It's by far the best DS shmup I've ever played.

[ProfessorK]

I'm going to have to second the vote for Retro Game Challenge. That collection is amazing and should be owned by any retro enthusiast who has a DS. The games are very well done and, since they are all full games, it has tons of re-playability outside the story mode.

[swiftzx]

Although they aren't shmups, you should pick up Metal Slug 7 and Contra 4. I had to throw that out. I'd also recommend Geometry Wars and Space Invaders Extreme as well. Don't forget the paddle controller works on Super Bust a Move and Arkanoid DS

[GSZX1337]

surprising that no Gradius, Darius, R-Type, etc big names have made it to the DS...

Those franchises went to the PSP.

[tylerbgood]

Glory Days 2 is a good shoot 'em up à la Choplifter. It is the sequel to Super Army War for the GBA. And if you have an original DS or DS Lite, you should absolutely explore the GBA shoot 'em up library - although your mention of Iridion above leads me to believe you already know what's good.

[blackmagepwns]

Before you get too excited about Nanostray, you should look up some videos of it on youtube. It uses a very strange 3D-esque perspective that causes you to only be able to shoot in a cone shaped pattern, instead of all over the screen. For instance if an enemy appears in the upper left or upper right corner, you simply can't hit them, or at least not with a straight shot. I wouldn't say it's a bad game by any means, but if you're used to normal shmups it'll really frustrate you at first, or at least it did for me. Still worth checking out though, just be aware of the funky viewing angle.

It's actually not that hard of a game, you can set up three different firing angles plus special weapons full of own.

Well, Nanostray 2 at least.

Also, RGC has Cosmic Gate and Star Prince, good shumps.

[Bradtemple87]

I also really enjoyed the first nanostray

[noiseredux]

Glory Days 2 is a good shoot 'em up à la Choplifter. It is the sequel to Super Army War for the GBA. And if you have an original DS or DS Lite, you should absolutely explore the GBA shoot 'em up library - although your mention of Iridion above leads me to believe you already know what's good.

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